ex employee takes tools !

Hi guys
we sacked a engineer the other day and he drove off in the van before we could sort out tools ,paperwork etc
we had to go pick the van up which was emptied ..
Short story is he diconnected the tracker then told us where it was but now he wants to be paid as normal even though we have no idea about his paperwork and the tools that have gone missing plus phone laptop uniform etc
anyone got any idea how we should deal with it?
The tools is annoying but we would let this go if he returned the other kit is phone etc
could we withhold final wages till he returns them ?

Thanks in advance

You can do more than that.
He is stealing your property. Contact a Solicitor straight away!
Grizzly

Unfortunately you managed the situation badly. You can not withhold wages and would probably find yourself in an employment tribunal if you did. Waste of time and money.

Treat ex employee with respect and ask for equipment back nicely most people are sensible when they calm down.

If you get no joy
Stop the phone with the service provider and write the tools off.
You would have to go to a small claims court, the tax on tools was deducted already and they are second hand so you would only get about 10p for every £1 spent on tools - not worth the hassle!

You are then better off shot of the guy and good riddance.

Just remember anybody thinking it is a good way to fleece your company, that we have a very small industry and you will be tarred with your actions!

disconnecting a tracker is fraud, gross misconduct springs to mind, did he sign for tools that he nabbed? - my old boss deducted tool list items from ur last wage- an aussie i know did a moonlight when he left he was renting and left the van empty, posted the keys back and was in oz before anyone knew

Would this not count as theft and then be reported to the local constabulary?

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Originally Posted by monkey spanners

Would this not count as theft and then be reported to the local constabulary?

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depends how his contract was worded. He could just turn round and say "they were a gift"

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Originally Posted by install monkey

disconnecting a tracker is fraud, gross misconduct springs to mind, did he sign for tools that he nabbed? - my old boss deducted tool list items from ur last wage- an aussie i know did a moonlight when he left he was renting and left the van empty, posted the keys back and was in oz before anyone knew

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Bloody mongrel Aussie! typical from my experience.

Be careful stay legal u can't withold wages ,,,,,,are u a member of fsb?They have a legal department to speak to I would speak to guy and talk to him as at some point he will have to put u as a employer on a job application just point this out .......if he is stupid shut phone of write tools of and advise all your suppliers he cannot book parts to you then learn from it nobody gains from bad blood I must admit the last guy I fired I got his van blocked in and asked for the key before telling him of why when and how he was out the door

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sean1

Hi guys
we sacked a engineer the other day and he drove off in the van before we could sort out tools ,paperwork etc
we had to go pick the van up which was emptied ..
Short story is he diconnected the tracker then told us where it was but now he wants to be paid as normal even though we have no idea about his paperwork and the tools that have gone missing plus phone laptop uniform etc
anyone got any idea how we should deal with it?
The tools is annoying but we would let this go if he returned the other kit is phone etc
could we withhold final wages till he returns them ?

Thanks in advance

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I did exactly the same with a company a decade ago that I was suspicious they would not pay me wages owed

Took the van, emptied it, parked it up and told them where it was and where to find the keys

They demanded their stuff, I agreed to return it when they paid me wages owed

They refused until their stuff was returned

I told them to go swivel & pay me first

They called police who visited me for my side of events

Told them they owed me money and am keeping their stuff till paid

Police said ok its a civil matter & we are wiping our hands of it

The company never paid me about £1500 owed

I kept £4k worth of new tools and stock

its a civil matter ,