Legal Question in Employment Law in California

Re: Privacy of Business Documents

This response assumes you operate a business within the State of California and the "supervisor" worked within the state as well. Your question is vague as to why this supervisory employee suspects you cheated him. One particular scenario that immediately comes to mind is the supervisor, by mutual agreement, may have been entitled to receive certain incentive compensation based on, for example, a percentage of business profits. Under this scenario, the real issue may not be "whether" incentive compensation is due the supervisor, but what "amount" of incentive compensation is actually due. On the other hand, if the agreement between you and the supervisory employee was not in writing, then the terms and conditions of the incentive compensation agreement "may" be at issue. Irrespective of whether this scenario actually exists, it would appear that the course and scope of the supervisor's employment duties included the right to examine sensitive confidential business records while employed. However, that employment right obviously ceased upon termination unless agreed upon by you otherwise. It may be that the reasonable interpretation of his employment rights may discourage the police from becoming actively involved in getting your business records back from an ex-employee (e.g., a simple civil dispute between employer and employee concerning compensation). Therefore, in addition to making written demand for the return of your business records, you should immediately consult with a local employment lawyer to determine the respective rights of the parties, and the civil remedies available to you. Good Luck.

Re: Privacy of Business Documents

first i would call the cops and report it as a theft. if that doesnt work i would immediately petition the court for a restraining order demanding the return of the documents.