What is a major characteristic of a frolic?

A frolic represents a significant deviation from an employee's work duties, where the employee’s actions are not aligned with their job responsibilities and are taken for their own personal interests. This substantial deviation from the scope of employment plays a critical role in determining employer liability in tort cases. When an employee engages in a frolic, it indicates that they are acting independently and beyond the expectations of their employment, which is why employers are generally not held liable for any torts committed during that time.

In contrast, a minor deviation would typically be classified as a "detour," which may still fall under the employer's liability because it is within the scope of employment. Authorization from the employer does not characterize a frolic, as it is inherently defined by its unauthorized nature. Additionally, while a frolic may occur during work hours, its key aspect is that the employee is acting outside their employment scope, distinguishing it from actions taken for the employer's benefit. Therefore, the defining feature of a frolic relates to the unauthorized and substantial deviation from the employee's duties.