Is an employer allowed to confiscate property?
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Is an employer allowed to confiscate property?
At my workplace cellphones have been permitted, although we are forbidden from using them during the shift. New Link Destination
day we were told that someone had been seen using a phone and so they would no longer be allowed. Unfortunate but fair enough. However, the manager then pulled out a box and demanded that we all place our cellphones inside, people argued with him for a few minutes, citing the cost of the devices before we relented. A few hours later he changed his mind and returned the phones. So my question is does a manager have the right to confiscate property without a prior policy in place? Is this something I would have cause to complain to HR about?
Asked on March 5, 2018 under Employment Labor Law, Oregon
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
Unless this action violated the terms of an employment contract or union agreement it was legal. The fact is that most employment is "at will" which means that a company can set the conditions of the workplace much as it sees fit (absent some form of legally actionable discrimination). Bottom line, you have no claim here.
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