Is my employer responsible for my tools?
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Is my employer responsible for my tools?
I am a mechanic and have been out of work due to an injury. When I went to get my tools, a lot of them are missing or destroyed. Is the employer responsible for them?
Asked on February 13, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
Unless your employer was in some way negligent regarding the safety of your tools (i.e. left the workplace unlocked), then it is not reponsible for your missing/damaged tools. That having been said, your employer should have either property insurance or general liability insurance which may cover theft of property. Depending on how much your tools were worth and how high the deductible is, it could cover some of the cost of replacement. So if your employer does not want to pay out of pocket, it can submit a claim to his insurance policy.
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