Legal Question in Business Law in California

I work for FedEx as a courier in the state of California.Each delivery route is assigned the same vehicle everyday. I use the same assigned vehicle for my assigned route everyday. I left my half full bottle of gatorade in the vehicle,so I could drink the rest of it the next day.The manager is telling me that since I left my half full bottle of gatorade in the truck that I use everyday for my route, that it IS legal and is NOT stealing if another employee goes into that vehicle at the end of the day and takes my gatorade bottle,dumps out the remaining liquid and takes the bottle to a recycling company and keeps the money.The manager is saying that by me leaving the bottle in the vehicle I am saying I no longer want it even when it is in the cup holder,but if I leave a small bottle of aspirin in the same vehicle and someone takes that, that yes that is stealing. Both items cost $3.00 each what is the difference? and is taking the bottle stealing? I understand that the vehicle is company property,but does that make it legal for another employee to take someone else's property when they did not purchase the items they are taking from the company vehicle.

Asked on 2/20/13, 7:25 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Kelvin Green The Law Office of Kelvin Green

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So even if this was stealing what would you do? Make a police report and try and get someone prosecuted? File a civil claim and sur fornthe value of a few partially used gatorade bottles and the few cents per bottle fornthe depositt fee? And at what cost to you, your reputation, or even your job?

Wouldnt it be easier just to take your bottle of Gatorade with you?

Sometimes legal remedies just dont work out... This is one

Answered on 2/20/13, 10:09 pm

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