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How can I recover the cost of a lost package delivered to my office? [closed]
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I had a $1200 item shipped to my workplace. It's a non-reimbursable item that I use for work only. It arrived when I was out of office and our secretary signed for it. When I came back to the office, it was nowhere to be found. There was no security footage of it being stolen.
The item was sent via UPS and had no insurance. The signature of the secretary is on file. The secretary signed for it and left in the pile of incoming packages next to their desk. That was the last of it.
What should I do to recover my loss? Or am I out of luck?
united-states company-culture offices
edited Sep 28 '15 at 21:22
smci
2,038820
asked Sep 28 '15 at 13:41
y3sh
1768
closed as off-topic by Kate Gregory, The Wandering Dev Manager, David K, gnat, scaaahu Sep 29 '15 at 3:24
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Kate Gregory, The Wandering Dev Manager, David K, gnat, scaaahu
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
13
down vote
favorite
I had a $1200 item shipped to my workplace. It's a non-reimbursable item that I use for work only. It arrived when I was out of office and our secretary signed for it. When I came back to the office, it was nowhere to be found. There was no security footage of it being stolen.
The item was sent via UPS and had no insurance. The signature of the secretary is on file. The secretary signed for it and left in the pile of incoming packages next to their desk. That was the last of it.
What should I do to recover my loss? Or am I out of luck?
united-states company-culture offices
edited Sep 28 '15 at 21:22
smci
2,038820
asked Sep 28 '15 at 13:41
y3sh
1768
closed as off-topic by Kate Gregory, The Wandering Dev Manager, David K, gnat, scaaahu Sep 29 '15 at 3:24
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Kate Gregory, The Wandering Dev Manager, David K, gnat, scaaahu
5
If the item cannot be located, ask your boss to buy you another one with the expectation that if you separate from them, you take it with you. It sounds like a legit business expense, to me.
– Aaron Hall
Sep 28 '15 at 16:32
1
If you're not contractually obliged to provide this item for your use in carrying out your employment, then you might be able to partially recover your loss by informing your employer that you aren't going to buy another one, and that if they supply you with one then you'll use it. But presumably there's some good reason they didn't supply you with this one, so I hesitate to offer this as an answer since there's a good chance it's not applicable to your situation.
– Steve Jessop
Sep 28 '15 at 16:33
7
If there was "a pile of incoming packages" from a single UPS delivery, it might not ever have been delivered, unless the secretary is sure that specific package actually arrived. I once had an incident where a package was not delivered to my home address in the expected time-frame, and the courier's records said that it had been delivered and signed for. It had actually been delivered to another destination with large consignment of packages, which had all been signed off by somebody without checking the details. That time, the couriers located and retrieved it and re-delivered it correctly.
– alephzero
Sep 28 '15 at 19:33
2
@alephzero +1, this exactly. If the secretary gets UPS packages every day, I can pretty much guarantee she's not counting all the boxes. I know where I work people just sign, not even knowing how many boxes were supposed to be there. Of course, you could argue that its "their fault" for not ensuring everything was delivered.
– JPhi1618
Sep 28 '15 at 19:51
1
@NK7, mostly because our secretary is a she. I tried to not use he/she but that slipped in! Sorry to male secretaries everywhere!
– JPhi1618
Sep 29 '15 at 13:12
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
13
down vote
favorite
up vote
13
down vote
favorite
I had a $1200 item shipped to my workplace. It's a non-reimbursable item that I use for work only. It arrived when I was out of office and our secretary signed for it. When I came back to the office, it was nowhere to be found. There was no security footage of it being stolen.
The item was sent via UPS and had no insurance. The signature of the secretary is on file. The secretary signed for it and left in the pile of incoming packages next to their desk. That was the last of it.
What should I do to recover my loss? Or am I out of luck?
united-states company-culture offices
edited Sep 28 '15 at 21:22
smci
2,038820
asked Sep 28 '15 at 13:41
y3sh
1768
I had a $1200 item shipped to my workplace. It's a non-reimbursable item that I use for work only. It arrived when I was out of office and our secretary signed for it. When I came back to the office, it was nowhere to be found. There was no security footage of it being stolen.
The item was sent via UPS and had no insurance. The signature of the secretary is on file. The secretary signed for it and left in the pile of incoming packages next to their desk. That was the last of it.
What should I do to recover my loss? Or am I out of luck?
united-states company-culture offices
edited Sep 28 '15 at 21:22
smci
2,038820
asked Sep 28 '15 at 13:41
y3sh
1768
edited Sep 28 '15 at 21:22
smci
2,038820
edited Sep 28 '15 at 21:22
smci
2,038820
edited Sep 28 '15 at 21:22
smci
2,038820
2,038820
asked Sep 28 '15 at 13:41
y3sh
1768
asked Sep 28 '15 at 13:41
y3sh
1768
asked Sep 28 '15 at 13:41
y3sh
1768
1768
closed as off-topic by Kate Gregory, The Wandering Dev Manager, David K, gnat, scaaahu Sep 29 '15 at 3:24
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Kate Gregory, The Wandering Dev Manager, David K, gnat, scaaahu
closed as off-topic by Kate Gregory, The Wandering Dev Manager, David K, gnat, scaaahu Sep 29 '15 at 3:24
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Kate Gregory, The Wandering Dev Manager, David K, gnat, scaaahu
5
If the item cannot be located, ask your boss to buy you another one with the expectation that if you separate from them, you take it with you. It sounds like a legit business expense, to me.
– Aaron Hall
Sep 28 '15 at 16:32
1
If you're not contractually obliged to provide this item for your use in carrying out your employment, then you might be able to partially recover your loss by informing your employer that you aren't going to buy another one, and that if they supply you with one then you'll use it. But presumably there's some good reason they didn't supply you with this one, so I hesitate to offer this as an answer since there's a good chance it's not applicable to your situation.
– Steve Jessop
Sep 28 '15 at 16:33
7
If there was "a pile of incoming packages" from a single UPS delivery, it might not ever have been delivered, unless the secretary is sure that specific package actually arrived. I once had an incident where a package was not delivered to my home address in the expected time-frame, and the courier's records said that it had been delivered and signed for. It had actually been delivered to another destination with large consignment of packages, which had all been signed off by somebody without checking the details. That time, the couriers located and retrieved it and re-delivered it correctly.
– alephzero
Sep 28 '15 at 19:33
2
@alephzero +1, this exactly. If the secretary gets UPS packages every day, I can pretty much guarantee she's not counting all the boxes. I know where I work people just sign, not even knowing how many boxes were supposed to be there. Of course, you could argue that its "their fault" for not ensuring everything was delivered.
– JPhi1618
Sep 28 '15 at 19:51
1
@NK7, mostly because our secretary is a she. I tried to not use he/she but that slipped in! Sorry to male secretaries everywhere!
– JPhi1618
Sep 29 '15 at 13:12
 |Â
show 1 more comment
5
If the item cannot be located, ask your boss to buy you another one with the expectation that if you separate from them, you take it with you. It sounds like a legit business expense, to me.
– Aaron Hall
Sep 28 '15 at 16:32
1
If you're not contractually obliged to provide this item for your use in carrying out your employment, then you might be able to partially recover your loss by informing your employer that you aren't going to buy another one, and that if they supply you with one then you'll use it. But presumably there's some good reason they didn't supply you with this one, so I hesitate to offer this as an answer since there's a good chance it's not applicable to your situation.
– Steve Jessop
Sep 28 '15 at 16:33
7
If there was "a pile of incoming packages" from a single UPS delivery, it might not ever have been delivered, unless the secretary is sure that specific package actually arrived. I once had an incident where a package was not delivered to my home address in the expected time-frame, and the courier's records said that it had been delivered and signed for. It had actually been delivered to another destination with large consignment of packages, which had all been signed off by somebody without checking the details. That time, the couriers located and retrieved it and re-delivered it correctly.
– alephzero
Sep 28 '15 at 19:33
2
@alephzero +1, this exactly. If the secretary gets UPS packages every day, I can pretty much guarantee she's not counting all the boxes. I know where I work people just sign, not even knowing how many boxes were supposed to be there. Of course, you could argue that its "their fault" for not ensuring everything was delivered.
– JPhi1618
Sep 28 '15 at 19:51
1
@NK7, mostly because our secretary is a she. I tried to not use he/she but that slipped in! Sorry to male secretaries everywhere!
– JPhi1618
Sep 29 '15 at 13:12
5
5
If the item cannot be located, ask your boss to buy you another one with the expectation that if you separate from them, you take it with you. It sounds like a legit business expense, to me.
– Aaron Hall
Sep 28 '15 at 16:32
If the item cannot be located, ask your boss to buy you another one with the expectation that if you separate from them, you take it with you. It sounds like a legit business expense, to me.
– Aaron Hall
Sep 28 '15 at 16:32
1
1
If you're not contractually obliged to provide this item for your use in carrying out your employment, then you might be able to partially recover your loss by informing your employer that you aren't going to buy another one, and that if they supply you with one then you'll use it. But presumably there's some good reason they didn't supply you with this one, so I hesitate to offer this as an answer since there's a good chance it's not applicable to your situation.
– Steve Jessop
Sep 28 '15 at 16:33
If you're not contractually obliged to provide this item for your use in carrying out your employment, then you might be able to partially recover your loss by informing your employer that you aren't going to buy another one, and that if they supply you with one then you'll use it. But presumably there's some good reason they didn't supply you with this one, so I hesitate to offer this as an answer since there's a good chance it's not applicable to your situation.
– Steve Jessop
Sep 28 '15 at 16:33
7
7
If there was "a pile of incoming packages" from a single UPS delivery, it might not ever have been delivered, unless the secretary is sure that specific package actually arrived. I once had an incident where a package was not delivered to my home address in the expected time-frame, and the courier's records said that it had been delivered and signed for. It had actually been delivered to another destination with large consignment of packages, which had all been signed off by somebody without checking the details. That time, the couriers located and retrieved it and re-delivered it correctly.
– alephzero
Sep 28 '15 at 19:33
If there was "a pile of incoming packages" from a single UPS delivery, it might not ever have been delivered, unless the secretary is sure that specific package actually arrived. I once had an incident where a package was not delivered to my home address in the expected time-frame, and the courier's records said that it had been delivered and signed for. It had actually been delivered to another destination with large consignment of packages, which had all been signed off by somebody without checking the details. That time, the couriers located and retrieved it and re-delivered it correctly.
– alephzero
Sep 28 '15 at 19:33
2
2
@alephzero +1, this exactly. If the secretary gets UPS packages every day, I can pretty much guarantee she's not counting all the boxes. I know where I work people just sign, not even knowing how many boxes were supposed to be there. Of course, you could argue that its "their fault" for not ensuring everything was delivered.
– JPhi1618
Sep 28 '15 at 19:51
@alephzero +1, this exactly. If the secretary gets UPS packages every day, I can pretty much guarantee she's not counting all the boxes. I know where I work people just sign, not even knowing how many boxes were supposed to be there. Of course, you could argue that its "their fault" for not ensuring everything was delivered.
– JPhi1618
Sep 28 '15 at 19:51
1
1
@NK7, mostly because our secretary is a she. I tried to not use he/she but that slipped in! Sorry to male secretaries everywhere!
– JPhi1618
Sep 29 '15 at 13:12
@NK7, mostly because our secretary is a she. I tried to not use he/she but that slipped in! Sorry to male secretaries everywhere!
– JPhi1618
Sep 29 '15 at 13:12
 |Â
show 1 more comment
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
28
down vote
accepted
You should find out whether your company has a policy about receiving personal items via mail/shipping at the office. If there is a policy, you should follow it.
There is still the possibility of a misunderstanding.
If there is no policy/procedure covering this situation, your next action should be to report the missing item to your company management (or to HR). Ask them to send out a "lost and found" email to everyone, or ask for permission to send it yourself. Describe the lost item, let everyone know it belongs to a specific person, and ask that it be returned.
If this fails to produce the item, your next step will be to inform your management/HR that you intend to file a stolen property report with the police. They will either support you in this, or they will get a little more serious about helping you find the item. This is not an idle threat. You should actually file the report. The police will be able to give you an idea about your chances of recovering the item.
As with a lot of stolen property, you may never see this item again. In that case, learn what you can from this experience and try not to repeat it in the future. Sorry that it's a $1200 learning experience.
Edit: If you purchased the item with a credit card, you should check with the card issuer about any purchase protection benefits they may provide. (Some debit cards might also provide protection.) Thanks to @LaconicDroid for the excellent addition to the answer.
answered Sep 28 '15 at 14:11
Kent A.
19.2k75575
15
In regards to the police report - if it gets that far, a number of credit card companies offer accidental damage and theft insurance for items you buy with their credit card. This can extend for 30 days or more after your purchase. Worth checking out.
– Laconic Droid
Sep 28 '15 at 14:17
3
You never know, it might even be covered by the insurance the business has on the contents of the office, again you'd presumably have to report the theft in order to claim. I wouldn't count on it but there's no harm in asking.
– Steve Jessop
Sep 28 '15 at 16:36
1
Another thing to add: Your personal belongings may also be covered under a homeowner's insurance (or renter's insurance) policy. At least with typical policies in the US, this often applies even when the belongings are stolen from somewhere other than your home. At $1200, it's worth looking in to. See, e.g., iii.org/article/what-covered-standard-homeowners-policy
– derobert
Sep 28 '15 at 17:34
1
I imagine the employer will not take kindly to a business insurance claim, even if they're at fault.
– smci
Sep 28 '15 at 20:48
On the other hand, the contents of the package was there to help the employer, and the business insurance is there exactly to cover this kind of damage. It's the same as if a visitor "lost" an expensive laptop on the company's premises.
– gnasher729
Sep 29 '15 at 16:21
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
-3
down vote
I don't believe this is specifically a workplace question. I would question the secretary more on it. Most specifically I would ask where the secretary left it. It sounds to me like the secretary would be prime suspect in this case.
However, as always there are risks to mailing items to your office. The company I was in had a large mailing room and they were very nice about making sure I get my packages. One thing I'd like to add is that in the US the company has a right to open/inspect packages that arrive to their office. So as always there's a certain risk your item could be opened and inspected and perhaps accidentally left around.
edited Sep 28 '15 at 14:58
mcknz
15.6k55468
answered Sep 28 '15 at 14:18
Dan
17
11
I would most certainly NOT declare the secretary as the prime suspect unless there is good reason. Unless there is a real receiving/shipping department, the front desk probably signs for everything that gets delivered,
– Hilmar
Sep 28 '15 at 14:21
2
However, Dan has a good point that companies have the right to open packages delivered to their office.
– thursdaysgeek
Sep 28 '15 at 15:40
2
Your name on it means nothing. The company's address is on it, too. If an illegal item (drugs, for example) is received (accepted and/or signed for) by a business, the business can be implicated. Saying "it didn't have our name on it" has not been a reliable defense. Based on this, companies do have a right to inspect items delivered to their property. Even the USPS doesn't care what happens to it once it is delivered.
– Kent A.
Sep 28 '15 at 16:21
2
@KentAnderson: "As already indicated, Coleman argues that the credit card statement was not stolen or taken from the mail, because it was delivered to his own mailbox." which I take to mean that misdelivered mail is a problem, too.
– Bill Barth
Sep 28 '15 at 17:32
3
@KentAnderson, not suggesting it applied directly. Just challenging the notion that a business can open anything delivered to it.
– Bill Barth
Sep 28 '15 at 17:47
 |Â
show 7 more comments
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
28
down vote
accepted
You should find out whether your company has a policy about receiving personal items via mail/shipping at the office. If there is a policy, you should follow it.
There is still the possibility of a misunderstanding.
If there is no policy/procedure covering this situation, your next action should be to report the missing item to your company management (or to HR). Ask them to send out a "lost and found" email to everyone, or ask for permission to send it yourself. Describe the lost item, let everyone know it belongs to a specific person, and ask that it be returned.
If this fails to produce the item, your next step will be to inform your management/HR that you intend to file a stolen property report with the police. They will either support you in this, or they will get a little more serious about helping you find the item. This is not an idle threat. You should actually file the report. The police will be able to give you an idea about your chances of recovering the item.
As with a lot of stolen property, you may never see this item again. In that case, learn what you can from this experience and try not to repeat it in the future. Sorry that it's a $1200 learning experience.
Edit: If you purchased the item with a credit card, you should check with the card issuer about any purchase protection benefits they may provide. (Some debit cards might also provide protection.) Thanks to @LaconicDroid for the excellent addition to the answer.
answered Sep 28 '15 at 14:11
Kent A.
19.2k75575
15
In regards to the police report - if it gets that far, a number of credit card companies offer accidental damage and theft insurance for items you buy with their credit card. This can extend for 30 days or more after your purchase. Worth checking out.
– Laconic Droid
Sep 28 '15 at 14:17
3
You never know, it might even be covered by the insurance the business has on the contents of the office, again you'd presumably have to report the theft in order to claim. I wouldn't count on it but there's no harm in asking.
– Steve Jessop
Sep 28 '15 at 16:36
1
Another thing to add: Your personal belongings may also be covered under a homeowner's insurance (or renter's insurance) policy. At least with typical policies in the US, this often applies even when the belongings are stolen from somewhere other than your home. At $1200, it's worth looking in to. See, e.g., iii.org/article/what-covered-standard-homeowners-policy
– derobert
Sep 28 '15 at 17:34
1
I imagine the employer will not take kindly to a business insurance claim, even if they're at fault.
– smci
Sep 28 '15 at 20:48
On the other hand, the contents of the package was there to help the employer, and the business insurance is there exactly to cover this kind of damage. It's the same as if a visitor "lost" an expensive laptop on the company's premises.
– gnasher729
Sep 29 '15 at 16:21
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
28
down vote
accepted
You should find out whether your company has a policy about receiving personal items via mail/shipping at the office. If there is a policy, you should follow it.
There is still the possibility of a misunderstanding.
If there is no policy/procedure covering this situation, your next action should be to report the missing item to your company management (or to HR). Ask them to send out a "lost and found" email to everyone, or ask for permission to send it yourself. Describe the lost item, let everyone know it belongs to a specific person, and ask that it be returned.
If this fails to produce the item, your next step will be to inform your management/HR that you intend to file a stolen property report with the police. They will either support you in this, or they will get a little more serious about helping you find the item. This is not an idle threat. You should actually file the report. The police will be able to give you an idea about your chances of recovering the item.
As with a lot of stolen property, you may never see this item again. In that case, learn what you can from this experience and try not to repeat it in the future. Sorry that it's a $1200 learning experience.
Edit: If you purchased the item with a credit card, you should check with the card issuer about any purchase protection benefits they may provide. (Some debit cards might also provide protection.) Thanks to @LaconicDroid for the excellent addition to the answer.
answered Sep 28 '15 at 14:11
Kent A.
19.2k75575
15
In regards to the police report - if it gets that far, a number of credit card companies offer accidental damage and theft insurance for items you buy with their credit card. This can extend for 30 days or more after your purchase. Worth checking out.
– Laconic Droid
Sep 28 '15 at 14:17
3
You never know, it might even be covered by the insurance the business has on the contents of the office, again you'd presumably have to report the theft in order to claim. I wouldn't count on it but there's no harm in asking.
– Steve Jessop
Sep 28 '15 at 16:36
1
Another thing to add: Your personal belongings may also be covered under a homeowner's insurance (or renter's insurance) policy. At least with typical policies in the US, this often applies even when the belongings are stolen from somewhere other than your home. At $1200, it's worth looking in to. See, e.g., iii.org/article/what-covered-standard-homeowners-policy
– derobert
Sep 28 '15 at 17:34
1
I imagine the employer will not take kindly to a business insurance claim, even if they're at fault.
– smci
Sep 28 '15 at 20:48
On the other hand, the contents of the package was there to help the employer, and the business insurance is there exactly to cover this kind of damage. It's the same as if a visitor "lost" an expensive laptop on the company's premises.
– gnasher729
Sep 29 '15 at 16:21
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
28
down vote
accepted
up vote
28
down vote
accepted
You should find out whether your company has a policy about receiving personal items via mail/shipping at the office. If there is a policy, you should follow it.
There is still the possibility of a misunderstanding.
If there is no policy/procedure covering this situation, your next action should be to report the missing item to your company management (or to HR). Ask them to send out a "lost and found" email to everyone, or ask for permission to send it yourself. Describe the lost item, let everyone know it belongs to a specific person, and ask that it be returned.
If this fails to produce the item, your next step will be to inform your management/HR that you intend to file a stolen property report with the police. They will either support you in this, or they will get a little more serious about helping you find the item. This is not an idle threat. You should actually file the report. The police will be able to give you an idea about your chances of recovering the item.
As with a lot of stolen property, you may never see this item again. In that case, learn what you can from this experience and try not to repeat it in the future. Sorry that it's a $1200 learning experience.
Edit: If you purchased the item with a credit card, you should check with the card issuer about any purchase protection benefits they may provide. (Some debit cards might also provide protection.) Thanks to @LaconicDroid for the excellent addition to the answer.
answered Sep 28 '15 at 14:11
Kent A.
19.2k75575
You should find out whether your company has a policy about receiving personal items via mail/shipping at the office. If there is a policy, you should follow it.
There is still the possibility of a misunderstanding.
If there is no policy/procedure covering this situation, your next action should be to report the missing item to your company management (or to HR). Ask them to send out a "lost and found" email to everyone, or ask for permission to send it yourself. Describe the lost item, let everyone know it belongs to a specific person, and ask that it be returned.
If this fails to produce the item, your next step will be to inform your management/HR that you intend to file a stolen property report with the police. They will either support you in this, or they will get a little more serious about helping you find the item. This is not an idle threat. You should actually file the report. The police will be able to give you an idea about your chances of recovering the item.
As with a lot of stolen property, you may never see this item again. In that case, learn what you can from this experience and try not to repeat it in the future. Sorry that it's a $1200 learning experience.
Edit: If you purchased the item with a credit card, you should check with the card issuer about any purchase protection benefits they may provide. (Some debit cards might also provide protection.) Thanks to @LaconicDroid for the excellent addition to the answer.
answered Sep 28 '15 at 14:11
Kent A.
19.2k75575
edited Sep 28 '15 at 15:09
answered Sep 28 '15 at 14:11
Kent A.
19.2k75575
answered Sep 28 '15 at 14:11
Kent A.
19.2k75575
answered Sep 28 '15 at 14:11
Kent A.
19.2k75575
19.2k75575
15
In regards to the police report - if it gets that far, a number of credit card companies offer accidental damage and theft insurance for items you buy with their credit card. This can extend for 30 days or more after your purchase. Worth checking out.
– Laconic Droid
Sep 28 '15 at 14:17
3
You never know, it might even be covered by the insurance the business has on the contents of the office, again you'd presumably have to report the theft in order to claim. I wouldn't count on it but there's no harm in asking.
– Steve Jessop
Sep 28 '15 at 16:36
1
Another thing to add: Your personal belongings may also be covered under a homeowner's insurance (or renter's insurance) policy. At least with typical policies in the US, this often applies even when the belongings are stolen from somewhere other than your home. At $1200, it's worth looking in to. See, e.g., iii.org/article/what-covered-standard-homeowners-policy
– derobert
Sep 28 '15 at 17:34
1
I imagine the employer will not take kindly to a business insurance claim, even if they're at fault.
– smci
Sep 28 '15 at 20:48
On the other hand, the contents of the package was there to help the employer, and the business insurance is there exactly to cover this kind of damage. It's the same as if a visitor "lost" an expensive laptop on the company's premises.
– gnasher729
Sep 29 '15 at 16:21
suggest improvements |Â
15
In regards to the police report - if it gets that far, a number of credit card companies offer accidental damage and theft insurance for items you buy with their credit card. This can extend for 30 days or more after your purchase. Worth checking out.
– Laconic Droid
Sep 28 '15 at 14:17
3
You never know, it might even be covered by the insurance the business has on the contents of the office, again you'd presumably have to report the theft in order to claim. I wouldn't count on it but there's no harm in asking.
– Steve Jessop
Sep 28 '15 at 16:36
1
Another thing to add: Your personal belongings may also be covered under a homeowner's insurance (or renter's insurance) policy. At least with typical policies in the US, this often applies even when the belongings are stolen from somewhere other than your home. At $1200, it's worth looking in to. See, e.g., iii.org/article/what-covered-standard-homeowners-policy
– derobert
Sep 28 '15 at 17:34
1
I imagine the employer will not take kindly to a business insurance claim, even if they're at fault.
– smci
Sep 28 '15 at 20:48
On the other hand, the contents of the package was there to help the employer, and the business insurance is there exactly to cover this kind of damage. It's the same as if a visitor "lost" an expensive laptop on the company's premises.
– gnasher729
Sep 29 '15 at 16:21
15
15
In regards to the police report - if it gets that far, a number of credit card companies offer accidental damage and theft insurance for items you buy with their credit card. This can extend for 30 days or more after your purchase. Worth checking out.
– Laconic Droid
Sep 28 '15 at 14:17
In regards to the police report - if it gets that far, a number of credit card companies offer accidental damage and theft insurance for items you buy with their credit card. This can extend for 30 days or more after your purchase. Worth checking out.
– Laconic Droid
Sep 28 '15 at 14:17
3
3
You never know, it might even be covered by the insurance the business has on the contents of the office, again you'd presumably have to report the theft in order to claim. I wouldn't count on it but there's no harm in asking.
– Steve Jessop
Sep 28 '15 at 16:36
You never know, it might even be covered by the insurance the business has on the contents of the office, again you'd presumably have to report the theft in order to claim. I wouldn't count on it but there's no harm in asking.
– Steve Jessop
Sep 28 '15 at 16:36
1
1
Another thing to add: Your personal belongings may also be covered under a homeowner's insurance (or renter's insurance) policy. At least with typical policies in the US, this often applies even when the belongings are stolen from somewhere other than your home. At $1200, it's worth looking in to. See, e.g., iii.org/article/what-covered-standard-homeowners-policy
– derobert
Sep 28 '15 at 17:34
Another thing to add: Your personal belongings may also be covered under a homeowner's insurance (or renter's insurance) policy. At least with typical policies in the US, this often applies even when the belongings are stolen from somewhere other than your home. At $1200, it's worth looking in to. See, e.g., iii.org/article/what-covered-standard-homeowners-policy
– derobert
Sep 28 '15 at 17:34
1
1
I imagine the employer will not take kindly to a business insurance claim, even if they're at fault.
– smci
Sep 28 '15 at 20:48
I imagine the employer will not take kindly to a business insurance claim, even if they're at fault.
– smci
Sep 28 '15 at 20:48
On the other hand, the contents of the package was there to help the employer, and the business insurance is there exactly to cover this kind of damage. It's the same as if a visitor "lost" an expensive laptop on the company's premises.
– gnasher729
Sep 29 '15 at 16:21
On the other hand, the contents of the package was there to help the employer, and the business insurance is there exactly to cover this kind of damage. It's the same as if a visitor "lost" an expensive laptop on the company's premises.
– gnasher729
Sep 29 '15 at 16:21
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
-3
down vote
I don't believe this is specifically a workplace question. I would question the secretary more on it. Most specifically I would ask where the secretary left it. It sounds to me like the secretary would be prime suspect in this case.
However, as always there are risks to mailing items to your office. The company I was in had a large mailing room and they were very nice about making sure I get my packages. One thing I'd like to add is that in the US the company has a right to open/inspect packages that arrive to their office. So as always there's a certain risk your item could be opened and inspected and perhaps accidentally left around.
edited Sep 28 '15 at 14:58
mcknz
15.6k55468
answered Sep 28 '15 at 14:18
Dan
17
11
I would most certainly NOT declare the secretary as the prime suspect unless there is good reason. Unless there is a real receiving/shipping department, the front desk probably signs for everything that gets delivered,
– Hilmar
Sep 28 '15 at 14:21
2
However, Dan has a good point that companies have the right to open packages delivered to their office.
– thursdaysgeek
Sep 28 '15 at 15:40
2
Your name on it means nothing. The company's address is on it, too. If an illegal item (drugs, for example) is received (accepted and/or signed for) by a business, the business can be implicated. Saying "it didn't have our name on it" has not been a reliable defense. Based on this, companies do have a right to inspect items delivered to their property. Even the USPS doesn't care what happens to it once it is delivered.
– Kent A.
Sep 28 '15 at 16:21
2
@KentAnderson: "As already indicated, Coleman argues that the credit card statement was not stolen or taken from the mail, because it was delivered to his own mailbox." which I take to mean that misdelivered mail is a problem, too.
– Bill Barth
Sep 28 '15 at 17:32
3
@KentAnderson, not suggesting it applied directly. Just challenging the notion that a business can open anything delivered to it.
– Bill Barth
Sep 28 '15 at 17:47
 |Â
show 7 more comments
up vote
-3
down vote
I don't believe this is specifically a workplace question. I would question the secretary more on it. Most specifically I would ask where the secretary left it. It sounds to me like the secretary would be prime suspect in this case.
However, as always there are risks to mailing items to your office. The company I was in had a large mailing room and they were very nice about making sure I get my packages. One thing I'd like to add is that in the US the company has a right to open/inspect packages that arrive to their office. So as always there's a certain risk your item could be opened and inspected and perhaps accidentally left around.
edited Sep 28 '15 at 14:58
mcknz
15.6k55468
answered Sep 28 '15 at 14:18
Dan
17
11
I would most certainly NOT declare the secretary as the prime suspect unless there is good reason. Unless there is a real receiving/shipping department, the front desk probably signs for everything that gets delivered,
– Hilmar
Sep 28 '15 at 14:21
2
However, Dan has a good point that companies have the right to open packages delivered to their office.
– thursdaysgeek
Sep 28 '15 at 15:40
2
Your name on it means nothing. The company's address is on it, too. If an illegal item (drugs, for example) is received (accepted and/or signed for) by a business, the business can be implicated. Saying "it didn't have our name on it" has not been a reliable defense. Based on this, companies do have a right to inspect items delivered to their property. Even the USPS doesn't care what happens to it once it is delivered.
– Kent A.
Sep 28 '15 at 16:21
2
@KentAnderson: "As already indicated, Coleman argues that the credit card statement was not stolen or taken from the mail, because it was delivered to his own mailbox." which I take to mean that misdelivered mail is a problem, too.
– Bill Barth
Sep 28 '15 at 17:32
3
@KentAnderson, not suggesting it applied directly. Just challenging the notion that a business can open anything delivered to it.
– Bill Barth
Sep 28 '15 at 17:47
 |Â
show 7 more comments
up vote
-3
down vote
up vote
-3
down vote
I don't believe this is specifically a workplace question. I would question the secretary more on it. Most specifically I would ask where the secretary left it. It sounds to me like the secretary would be prime suspect in this case.
However, as always there are risks to mailing items to your office. The company I was in had a large mailing room and they were very nice about making sure I get my packages. One thing I'd like to add is that in the US the company has a right to open/inspect packages that arrive to their office. So as always there's a certain risk your item could be opened and inspected and perhaps accidentally left around.
edited Sep 28 '15 at 14:58
mcknz
15.6k55468
answered Sep 28 '15 at 14:18
Dan
17
I don't believe this is specifically a workplace question. I would question the secretary more on it. Most specifically I would ask where the secretary left it. It sounds to me like the secretary would be prime suspect in this case.
However, as always there are risks to mailing items to your office. The company I was in had a large mailing room and they were very nice about making sure I get my packages. One thing I'd like to add is that in the US the company has a right to open/inspect packages that arrive to their office. So as always there's a certain risk your item could be opened and inspected and perhaps accidentally left around.
edited Sep 28 '15 at 14:58
mcknz
15.6k55468
answered Sep 28 '15 at 14:18
Dan
17
edited Sep 28 '15 at 14:58
mcknz
15.6k55468
edited Sep 28 '15 at 14:58
mcknz
15.6k55468
edited Sep 28 '15 at 14:58
mcknz
15.6k55468
15.6k55468
answered Sep 28 '15 at 14:18
Dan
17
answered Sep 28 '15 at 14:18
Dan
17
answered Sep 28 '15 at 14:18
Dan
17
17
11
I would most certainly NOT declare the secretary as the prime suspect unless there is good reason. Unless there is a real receiving/shipping department, the front desk probably signs for everything that gets delivered,
– Hilmar
Sep 28 '15 at 14:21
2
However, Dan has a good point that companies have the right to open packages delivered to their office.
– thursdaysgeek
Sep 28 '15 at 15:40
2
Your name on it means nothing. The company's address is on it, too. If an illegal item (drugs, for example) is received (accepted and/or signed for) by a business, the business can be implicated. Saying "it didn't have our name on it" has not been a reliable defense. Based on this, companies do have a right to inspect items delivered to their property. Even the USPS doesn't care what happens to it once it is delivered.
– Kent A.
Sep 28 '15 at 16:21
2
@KentAnderson: "As already indicated, Coleman argues that the credit card statement was not stolen or taken from the mail, because it was delivered to his own mailbox." which I take to mean that misdelivered mail is a problem, too.
– Bill Barth
Sep 28 '15 at 17:32
3
@KentAnderson, not suggesting it applied directly. Just challenging the notion that a business can open anything delivered to it.
– Bill Barth
Sep 28 '15 at 17:47
 |Â
show 7 more comments
11
I would most certainly NOT declare the secretary as the prime suspect unless there is good reason. Unless there is a real receiving/shipping department, the front desk probably signs for everything that gets delivered,
– Hilmar
Sep 28 '15 at 14:21
2
However, Dan has a good point that companies have the right to open packages delivered to their office.
– thursdaysgeek
Sep 28 '15 at 15:40
2
Your name on it means nothing. The company's address is on it, too. If an illegal item (drugs, for example) is received (accepted and/or signed for) by a business, the business can be implicated. Saying "it didn't have our name on it" has not been a reliable defense. Based on this, companies do have a right to inspect items delivered to their property. Even the USPS doesn't care what happens to it once it is delivered.
– Kent A.
Sep 28 '15 at 16:21
2
@KentAnderson: "As already indicated, Coleman argues that the credit card statement was not stolen or taken from the mail, because it was delivered to his own mailbox." which I take to mean that misdelivered mail is a problem, too.
– Bill Barth
Sep 28 '15 at 17:32
3
@KentAnderson, not suggesting it applied directly. Just challenging the notion that a business can open anything delivered to it.
– Bill Barth
Sep 28 '15 at 17:47
11
11
I would most certainly NOT declare the secretary as the prime suspect unless there is good reason. Unless there is a real receiving/shipping department, the front desk probably signs for everything that gets delivered,
– Hilmar
Sep 28 '15 at 14:21
I would most certainly NOT declare the secretary as the prime suspect unless there is good reason. Unless there is a real receiving/shipping department, the front desk probably signs for everything that gets delivered,
– Hilmar
Sep 28 '15 at 14:21
2
2
However, Dan has a good point that companies have the right to open packages delivered to their office.
– thursdaysgeek
Sep 28 '15 at 15:40
However, Dan has a good point that companies have the right to open packages delivered to their office.
– thursdaysgeek
Sep 28 '15 at 15:40
2
2
Your name on it means nothing. The company's address is on it, too. If an illegal item (drugs, for example) is received (accepted and/or signed for) by a business, the business can be implicated. Saying "it didn't have our name on it" has not been a reliable defense. Based on this, companies do have a right to inspect items delivered to their property. Even the USPS doesn't care what happens to it once it is delivered.
– Kent A.
Sep 28 '15 at 16:21
Your name on it means nothing. The company's address is on it, too. If an illegal item (drugs, for example) is received (accepted and/or signed for) by a business, the business can be implicated. Saying "it didn't have our name on it" has not been a reliable defense. Based on this, companies do have a right to inspect items delivered to their property. Even the USPS doesn't care what happens to it once it is delivered.
– Kent A.
Sep 28 '15 at 16:21
2
2
@KentAnderson: "As already indicated, Coleman argues that the credit card statement was not stolen or taken from the mail, because it was delivered to his own mailbox." which I take to mean that misdelivered mail is a problem, too.
– Bill Barth
Sep 28 '15 at 17:32
@KentAnderson: "As already indicated, Coleman argues that the credit card statement was not stolen or taken from the mail, because it was delivered to his own mailbox." which I take to mean that misdelivered mail is a problem, too.
– Bill Barth
Sep 28 '15 at 17:32
3
3
@KentAnderson, not suggesting it applied directly. Just challenging the notion that a business can open anything delivered to it.
– Bill Barth
Sep 28 '15 at 17:47
@KentAnderson, not suggesting it applied directly. Just challenging the notion that a business can open anything delivered to it.
– Bill Barth
Sep 28 '15 at 17:47
 |Â
show 7 more comments
5
If the item cannot be located, ask your boss to buy you another one with the expectation that if you separate from them, you take it with you. It sounds like a legit business expense, to me.
– Aaron Hall
Sep 28 '15 at 16:32
1
If you're not contractually obliged to provide this item for your use in carrying out your employment, then you might be able to partially recover your loss by informing your employer that you aren't going to buy another one, and that if they supply you with one then you'll use it. But presumably there's some good reason they didn't supply you with this one, so I hesitate to offer this as an answer since there's a good chance it's not applicable to your situation.
– Steve Jessop
Sep 28 '15 at 16:33
7
If there was "a pile of incoming packages" from a single UPS delivery, it might not ever have been delivered, unless the secretary is sure that specific package actually arrived. I once had an incident where a package was not delivered to my home address in the expected time-frame, and the courier's records said that it had been delivered and signed for. It had actually been delivered to another destination with large consignment of packages, which had all been signed off by somebody without checking the details. That time, the couriers located and retrieved it and re-delivered it correctly.
– alephzero
Sep 28 '15 at 19:33
2
@alephzero +1, this exactly. If the secretary gets UPS packages every day, I can pretty much guarantee she's not counting all the boxes. I know where I work people just sign, not even knowing how many boxes were supposed to be there. Of course, you could argue that its "their fault" for not ensuring everything was delivered.
– JPhi1618
Sep 28 '15 at 19:51
1
@NK7, mostly because our secretary is a she. I tried to not use he/she but that slipped in! Sorry to male secretaries everywhere!
– JPhi1618
Sep 29 '15 at 13:12