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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
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    Default Employee Left Tools Behind

    My question involves personal property located in the State of: Massachusetts

    We had terminated an employee back in February, and he had stated he would be back within 2 weeks to get his tools. It's now 5 months later and he has not returned any phone calls. I am going to send him a certified letter stating he needs to get them, however, I am unsure of what legally I am suppose to allow him for time to respond. Also, if he does not respond in that time period, what am I able to do with the property?

    Thank you.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
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    98,846

    Default Re: Employee Left Tools Behind

    What are we talking about? Three screwdrivers? A tile saw and tiling tools? Industrial machinery?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
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    Default Re: Employee Left Tools Behind

    No, we're talking about a mechanic's tool box that's about 5 ft tall and the tools it contains.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    16,474

    Default Re: Employee Left Tools Behind

    Quote Quoting Curiouser1
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    No, we're talking about a mechanic's tool box that's about 5 ft tall and the tools it contains.
    I would be very very careful about disposing of the tools as we all know just how many thousands of dollars worth of tools are contained in that box. I would even consider delivering them to him.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
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    7,056

    Default Re: Employee Left Tools Behind

    It's kind of hard to believe that a mechanic would abandoned his tools for 5 months unless there was something else at work here. Maybe a divorce and he doesn't want the asset right now or he moved across the country? Maybe there is a lien on the tools. If say they were Snap-On and financed and he didn't make the payments he figures they are gone anyway.

    I don't think you would have any legal problems if you were to notify him at his last known address that if he doesn't pick them up in X days they will be considered abandoned and disposed of. But maybe you want to check on the lien thing.

    Is the guy still alive?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
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    Default Re: Employee Left Tools Behind

    Quote Quoting budwad
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    I don't think you would have any legal problems if you were to notify him at his last known address that if he doesn't pick them up in X days they will be considered abandoned and disposed of.
    There's obviously no problem in issuing such a notice -- and if it gets him to remove the tools, all the better. What such a notice does not do, however, is give you carte blanche to take or dispose of somebody else's property absent an actual legal right to do so.

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