WHAT IF A DELIVERY DRONE FALLS ON YOUR HEAD? Imagine you’re standing in your front yard when a drone flies overhead, delivering a package to one of your neighbors. The drone goes over your house, flying much lower than a helicopter could. Would that be considered trespassing? After all, you didn’t even order the package. What if the drone took pictures of you and everything else in your yard as it went by; is that allowed? What if it malfunctioned and fell on your head — who would be at fault? These are some of the thorny legal questions that will have to be answered as companies continue testing drone delivery. When it comes to drone delivery services, questions about potential trespassing still remain. Some property owners have argued that they own a certain amount of the airspace above their homes, meaning any drones that fly into that area without permission would be unwanted visitors. Others have said you don’t own that when it comes to aircraft. Drones are categorized as aircraft, and the FAA has stipulated that no one has the right to interfere with the flight of an aircraft. Others have expressed concerns about what kinds of data delivery drones could gather on their flights to and from drop-off points. Amazon has a patent for a data analysis system that would use information the drone collected during its flight to help make recommendations for future purchases. For example, if the drone took an image of your dead lawn while it was delivering your package, perhaps you’d get more online ads for fertilizer. Then there are liability issues. If a drone has a glitch and drops its package on you, leaving you injured, who’s at fault? In some cases, existing laws could apply. For example, if a delivery drone dropped a package that hit someone, the drone operator and his or her employer would most likely be liable — in line with standard rules on negligence.
CALLING IN SICK _ Managers were asked for the most unusual excuses employees gave for missing work.
• Employee didn’t want to lose the parking space in front of his house.
• Employee hit a turkey while riding a bike.
• Employee said he had a heart attack early that morning, but that he was “all better now.”
• Employee donated too much blood.
• Employee’s dog was stressed out after a family reunion.
• Employee was kicked by a deer.
• Employee swallowed too much mouthwash.
THE BEST THING MY THERAPIST EVER SAID TO ME _ Users one reddit were asked to share the best thing their therapists ever said to them. • Just because someone is trying their best that doesn’t mean it’s okay. • Unspoken expectations of others are just future resentments. • There comes a time when you have to transition from being your child’s manager to their consultant. • When you stop making yourself small, some people will no longer fit in your life. • You’re going to upset a lot of people when you start doing what’s best for you. • You don’t have to fix everything at once. Just start somewhere. • You like to show up for other people because no one ever showed up for you, and you don’t ever want anyone else to feel that pain.
