Can an employer legally withhold an employee’s personal property, i.e. shoes, paperwork and decorative office items
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Can an employer legally withhold an employee’s personal property, i.e. shoes, paperwork and decorative office items
My employer refuses to compromise an agreeable time and date for me to pick up
personal items after settling a SH lawsuit.
Asked on June 2, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, Illinois
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
No, it is not legal. Unfortunately, there is no good way to get your property: you could try asking the local police to help you, but they are typically reluctant to get involved in cases like this. If the police don't help, your recourse would be to sue your employer (such as in small claims court, as your own attorney or "pro se") for the value of the withheld belongings; the suit be settle or resolved by them returning them to you.
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