Employer search of your vehicle in parking lot?

[KBCraig]

I doubt they'd be taken for any criminal charge, since you agreed to allow them to search your vehicle whenever they want when you cashed that paycheck.

I beg to disagree. Unless the terms of employment say that they can search, then I haven't agreed to anything except exchanging my time and labor for their money.

[jazr45acp]

No where have I read in the employee manual about "them" searching our vehicle at "their" discretion. In this small town with big ideas, "they" sometimes get a bit greedy and do things bass akwards. Since 911, all weapons, guns, bows etc. were banned from our vehicles for fear "we" would turn on "them". However, we all know it would be us who would be protecting "them" from the criminals not the other way around. Again, thank you guys for a wealth of info.

[pbandjelly]

I doubt they'd be taken for any criminal charge, since you agreed to allow them to search your vehicle whenever they want when you cashed that paycheck.

I beg to disagree. Unless the terms of employment say that they can search,

mine does, and as that's the only reference I have at the moment, that's what I wuz usin'
I see yer point, tho.

if it's in the employee handbook, that's terms of employment, right?

[seamusTX]

if it's in the employee handbook, that's terms of employment, right?

Yep. Especially if you signed a form that says you read the handbook.

However, just to strain further at gnats, the rules that I work under say that they can request to search my person or vehicle, and if I refuse, they can fire me.

It doesn't say they can shake me down for my keys, break into my car, or commit assault while searching my person.

However, there's another rule that says cars should not be left in the parking tower overnight without informing the management. If they notice a car that has been sitting, and they can't contact the owner, they open it and may have it towed.

- Jim

[pbandjelly]

they don't have to do any of those things.
they can just give ya the boot.

[seamusTX]

Right, but if they don't fire you for cause, they have to pay unemployment. Firing without cause also opens them up to accusations of illegal discrimination.

Jim

[pbandjelly]

Ah ha! Cause is that you refused the search.
then you WERE fired, for cause.

shewt, my place even has THAT wording!

3.2 Any employee who refuses, obstructs or prevents a search undertaken pursuant to this Policy is subject to disciplinary action up to and including discharge.

[jazr45acp]

Mine says: Posession or use of Deadly Weapons in facilities or premises is not allowed. What is a premise? What are Deadly Weapons?

[KBCraig]

if it's in the employee handbook, that's terms of employment, right?

Yes, and in that circumstance, the proper response would be, "I'm sick, and I'm going home."

Kevin

[NcongruNt]

Mine says: Posession or use of Deadly Weapons in facilities or premises is not allowed. What is a premise? What are Deadly Weapons?

Mine says dangerous weapons. My thought was "If it's a weapon, wouldn't it by its very nature be considered dangerous?" They do not define what is and is not a dangerous weapon. My other thought is that if it's in my control, and I am a trained and licensed CHL holder, then it is not a "dangerous" weapon. I don't think they'd go for that one, though

[mr surveyor]

Mine says: Posession or use of Deadly Weapons in facilities or premises is not allowed. What is a premise? What are Deadly Weapons?

Mine says dangerous weapons. My thought was "If it's a weapon, wouldn't it by its very nature be considered dangerous?" They do not define what is and is not a dangerous weapon. My other thought is that if it's in my control, and I am a trained and licensed CHL holder, then it is not a "dangerous" weapon. I don't think they'd go for that one, though

don't run with scissors in the parking lot

[seamusTX]

What is a premise? What are Deadly Weapons?

I thought perhaps someone who knew the legal definitions of these terms would contribute. I don't know the legal definitions.

Premises generally means any land or buildings owned or leased by the entity in question (your employer). The policy that I work under specifies land, including parking lots, and buildings.

Deadly weapon in common usage means an implement that can be used to cause serious bodily injury or death. Obviously this includes firearms, explosives, knives, swords, clubs, and bows and arrows. I don't know, but I'm pretty sure a broken bottle would be a deadly weapon if used to commit a crime.

In the case of an employee policy, it's going to mean whatever the employer wants it to mean.

- Jim

[NcongruNt]

In the case of an employee policy, it's going to mean whatever the employer wants it to mean.

Bingo. It's as vague as possible so that they can apply it however they want.

Anything could be a deadly weapon if used correctly. My office is full of deadly weapons, if used by a motivated enough person. The laser printer, monitors, phones, servers, a desk drawer, a laptop, or a model M keyboard could be used as a bludgeon; scissors, pens, and screwdrivers as stabbing implements; network cable as a strangulation tool; the list could go on forever.

[pbandjelly]

my "employer" considers to and from work, as well as doing anything while wearing a uniform of said "employer."
guess the security detail here is going to have to go to WalMart with me....

[anygunanywhere]

I have had security open the doors to my truck and toolbox lids and look in when I visit industrial facilities. They have done the same with rental cars.

Once they reached in and started moving stuff around. I objected and they stopped. I calmly stated that even though their policy might state they could do that, common courtesy and mutual respect dictate that they ask permission before thay handle my belongings.

I will not allow security guards to search my vehicles beyond looking whether I am carrying or not, for several reasons. I do not trust them. If they search me, they darn well better be searching everyone, and I do not agree with the way private companies as a rule do their business with regards to security and policy.

When traveling to other states and carrying my handguns, I often have them in my luggage in the rental when entering facilities. They are locked up unloaded. I may be breaking rules, but their rules are the problem, not me. IMHO, if any company/facility/agency is really concerned about security, they would be doing the TSA type screening of everyone. Anything else is just something made up to make granny happy that junior is protected at work. Ranks right up there with gun free zones.

Anygun