Is an employer required to keep personal belongings of a terminated employee? If so how long?

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Is an employer required to keep personal belongings of a terminated employee? If so how long?

We are in TX and we have an employee who was terminated over a year ago who has
not returned to pick up their personal belongings. Are we required to keep it?
If so how long? If not can I just donate or throw away or do I have to submit it
to the State as abandoned property? It is less than 250 value.

Asked on May 15, 2018 under Employment Labor Law, Texas

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 6 years ago | Contributor

Send them another letter to last known address with instructions on the letter to the post office to "please forward" stating that unless they pick-up, or at least arrange to pick-up, their belongings in, say, 30 days, you will treat them as abandoned and dispose of them. Then if they do not do so, dispose of them as you wish.


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