Is it illegal for a co-worker to get into your purse while you are on a break, make copies of documents and/or a flash drive?

Privacy Law 4 views 3 answers
My supervisor informed me she read a document of mine that could only be found in one of 3 places: on a printed document in my purse, on a flash drive in my purse, or in my home. My co-worker works beside me and could have obtained it while I was on a break, possibly even making a copy of the documents or my flash-drive. If I asked, my supervisor would probably not tell me how this happened. However, my co-worker advised me to look for my mothers birth year on her license - which is found in my mothers purse! They were most likely looking for notes on a possible workplace bullying harassment suit, which I will not be filing. Earlier the :"bully" announced to me she was documenting on me. Then I had to document too. They saw me writing notes (memory problem)- I am also on camera.

Attorney Answers

3
Dorinda Myers ·
Mr. Lassen is correct. What you have described is a crime and should be reported to law enforcement. However, law enforcement may be reluctant to pursue and tell you it is a civil matter. Call and report and see if they will investigate and refer to the DA's Office for possible prosecution. In the meantime, I suggest you talk to attorneys who handle employee issues. I will repost to that area to see what they have to recommend.
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Neil Pedersen ·
What you describe, in addition to a possible crime, might be one of several possible civil wrongs called torts. That said, whether you would want to pursue them would depend on whether you have been significantly damaged by the conduct of this co-worker, and whether the co-worker has any assets that would make collection of a judgment worth the time and effort it would take to prove your case. Good luck to you.
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