Legal Question in Employment Law in California
Is my employer responsible for my tools that were on board a company work truck that was stolen at a hotel we were staying at in Oakland, CA.
I had over 13K of my own heavy equipment mechanics tools on board the work truck when it was taken. I have provided him a list of stolen items.
He has offered to take me tool shopping up to $2500 from the list. My problem is, is that I cannot preform my job without any of those tools on the list. My concern with him buying them is that he may be able to claim the new tools as his tool at a later date.
Please advise.
1 Answer from Attorneys
As a general rule, unless you are an independent contractor, your employer is required to provide to you the tools that you need for your job. He cannot require you to supply those tools, and can be required to reimburse you if you do use your own tools.
You should consider consulting with an attorney. If your employer is relatively large in size and requires this of many employees, there might be a class action remedy available to you. My office handles such claims. Please contact me to discuss, or contact another attorney of your choice.