Was it the foreman's property? No it wasnt its theft! I understand you meant no harm but you did take someone elses property without permission.
Was it the foreman's property? No it wasnt its theft! I understand you meant no harm but you did take someone elses property without permission.
the foreman was told it was okay... the foreman told us it was okay... it wasnt without permission. precedent from other jobs being able to take scrap.. I dunno what you do but its NOT UNCOMMON AT ALL to take scraps from jobs that goes for electricians plumblers HVAC guys. But whatever.. next question.
Can they legally get you to give them market value for the scrap. If you give the scrap back to them shouldnt that be enough?
If I give you permission to steal somebody else's car, my permission doesn't matter a whit - it's not my car to give away.
If they get the scrap back, and the value is not diminished, that should resolve their claim.
i dunno who told him... he didnt say or is saying
I just dont see how they can legally have us pay it back at market value. I still have it. its not like its gone or anything
who told the foreman it was OK?. If that person is higher in the company than those requiring reimbursement for it, have them tell the folks to back off. If the requesting person is of greater position, apparently the person who told the foreman it was ok did not have the authority either.
precedent does not make any difference. Just because I give you my old shoes a time or two does not mean you are always entitled to them. They apparently changed their mind.
If the copper is old demo stuff, the contactor sometimes figures that into the bid. If it is new scrap trimmings, that IS company property and whomever directs the company has every right to demand all scrap be returned, after all, they did buy the stuff.
So, although it does not seem you intended to steal, apparently the rightful owner wants the copper so you have to give it up.
as far as grand theft; how much copper are you talking about? grand theft usually has a threshold of value to meet before it is applicable.
I have also seen electricians intentionally scrapping good wire simply so they could sell it as scrap. Maybe somebody on your job did this or management beoeived it to be so and instituted the rule they have now.