Terminated - Boss Took Documents Before Returning Personal Property

[Kerrison]

My question involves labor and employment law for the state of: VA


I was terminated from a new company after only 2 days of employment. I was terminated via phone after working a full shift.
The owner of the company stated my reason for termination was that I was 'disobedient' and didn't train on the topics he wanted me to learn from the other employee. This is not true. I DID do the training, took sufficient notes in my personal portfolio/planner (personal paper & ink pen). I ended up leaving the portfolio on my desk because I was supposed to work today.

When I contacted the office today to pick up my portfolio which I had left because I was working the next day, I was told that he needed to "Go through my belongings" before he would release them to me. I explained he had no need nor permission to go through my belongings - never mind without me present at the time. He hung up on me.

When I picked up the portfolio, I was not permitted to the business, but met in the lobby with my things in a bag.

My notes and papers from the training (which I need to support my case against this man) are missing. He removed my personal paper and personal documents from my personal portfolio. There was more info on these pages than just these training notes. And now these notes as well as my personal information have been removed without my permission.

I understand that cabinets, drawers, paperwork, etc, is the property of the business owner and there is no 'personal privacy' at work. But this was NOT his PROPERTY to take/damage by ripping out pages.

This is a teaching establishment and I know that the boss could not take/damage/etc property of his STUDENT'S. But as an employee, I do not have the right to protect my personal belongings that have nothing to do with his work?

Do I have an argument here? Or is this just a case of the boss can do whatever he wants to whatever objects/supplies/etc are in his rented office?

[PattyPA]

Well, yes, he DOES have the right to go through your "things" if they're on his property. It's more than likely the second scenario you posed. He returned the portfolio and the pen. I can understand him removing the work-related pages; you don't need them now. Lesson learned. Don't leave personal property at the job site.

[cbg]

The only "case" you have is a case to receive unemployment.