Searches at Work.

AntoinBoard

Hi guys.

I'm just wondering if anyone knows if it's legal for your locker to be searched at work if your employers think that you're stealing?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

intheclouds

As I recall in a past job, they cant search it behind your back but they can search it in front of you with your permission. Obviously not giving permission would give rise to suspicion and you may be subject to disciplinary.

AntoinBoard

That's great - thanks.

I imagine if they do find something it's an automatic dismissal.

This is for a friend who's been accused but in a roundabout way.

intheclouds

AntoinBoard wrote: »

I imagine if they do find something it's an automatic dismissal.

Im sure that depends on the employer and the nature of the theft.

I do recall someone being made an example of with an automatic dismissal for stealing a fun size bar in a supermarket job before but I also remember other people just getting a telling off for same.

Generally speaking though Im sure employers do not want to keep on people stealing from them!

seamus

Above is correct, they cannot search it without permission or reasonable cause. Though random locker checks can be OK if they truly are random and periodic.

Finding something may not automatically be an instant dismissal. It depends on what they find and whether they can prove it's been stolen. Finding some tools in your locker, for example, doesn't prove theft - the tools haven't left the premises. Though many companies have strict policies about what can and cannot be brought into the locker area, to avoid exactly this kind of grey area.

A supermarket I worked in when I was younger for example made it a dismissable offence if you did your shopping on your lunch break and brought it back and kept it in your locker. If you wanted to do your shopping, you had to do it on the way home.

So he may not necessarily be disciplined for theft, he may be done for breach of policy.

Atlantic Dawn

I'd imagine without you present and they opened the locker it would risk stolen items being planted and would be unfair.