if an employer takes pictures of my property is this legal?

Question

story:

im a truck driver and i live in the truck about 28 days of the month. the mechanics noticed that i had installed a power inverter in my truck (which is apparantly against company policy) and they took pictures and sent them to my boss. what im concerned about is that underneath the bunk of my truck is a storage space and mine is messy. im paranoid that they may have also taken a picture of the storage area underneath my bunk to somehow strengthen their case about the power inverter.

so, is it illegal for them to take pictures of the stuff under my bunk in that storage area?

Answer 1

It sounds like the company owns the truck. It is their property. Employees have the right to report this to the company.

Answer 2

I wish people would put their questions in a more proper perspective. Who owns the truck? If it is your own truck, the company absolutely does not have the right to take pictures of anything inside. The 4th. Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees that.

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

This in effect is the right to privacy Amendment and NOBODY has the right to invade your privacy. If it is your own truck, I would tell the person that took the picture(s) that if they don't want their a**es sued off they will get the pictures back. You are a driver and your job is to haul freight. If you are on the road 28 days a month you should be expected to be able to play on your computer or watch t.v. in your bunk as it is your equipment that you are using, not theirs. Next the company will want picture proof of what color underwear you have under the bunk. If the power inverter is yours then it is part of your effects and the picture(s) would be proof positive that your effects have been unlawfully searched.

Search Warrants cannot be issued without being signed by a Judge and must be accompanyed by an Affidavit of complaint signed by two or more witnesses. You have them by the nuts. Don't let them go. If you don't stand up for your Rights, you surely can't expect someone elso to.

Answer 3

Not necessarily. You may,legally speaking, a ''de facto tenant'' and as such have a host of rights.

De facto is a Latin expression that means "in fact" or "in practice" but not spelled out by law. It is commonly used in contrast to de jure (which means "by law") when referring to matters of law, governance, or technique (such as standards), that are found in the common experience as created or developed without or against a regulation. When discussing a legal situation, de jure designates lawfully what the law says, while de facto designates action of what happens in practice.

The term de facto may also be used when there is no relevant law or standard, but a common practice is well established, although perhaps not quite universal.


A tenancy at will is a leasehold such that either the landlord or the tenant may terminate the tenancy at any time by giving reasonable notice. It usually occurs in the absence of a lease, or where the tenancy is not for consideration. Under the modern common law, tenancy at will is very rare, partly because it can only come about if the parties expressly agree that the tenancy is at will and not for rent. However, tenancy at will is common where a family member is allowed to live in the home (a nominal consideration may be required) without any formal arrangements. ***In most residential tenancies for consideration, the tenant may not be removed except for cause, even if there is no written lease.**** (this contradicts what's written above, that a tenancy at will can be terminated at any time by giving reasonable notice.)

If a lease exists at the sole discretion of the landlord, it grants the tenant by operation of law a reciprocal right to terminate the lease at will. However, a lease that explicitly exists at the will of the tenant (e.g. "for as long as the tenant desires to live on this land") does not imply that the landlord may terminate the lease, even for cause; rather, such language may be interpreted as granting the tenant a life estate or even a fee simple.

Answer 4

If you are an owner operator and you are paying for your truck, they can't take pictures without your consent. If you are a company driver, they own the truck you drive and can inspect the inside of the truck and take pictures anytime they want to. You may want to consult a lawyer, if the Company is trying to fine you.

Answer 5

If it's there truck, then they can do what they like. In terms of legality, you must always think in terms of the 'harm done'. If someone takes a picture inside a truck, but doesn't disturb anything, you'd have a hard time showing in a lawsuit that you suffered any damage from their actions.

Answer 6

If they were ON YOUR property when they took the pictures i'm 95% sure it would be illegal unless you gave them permission. Being on your property taking photos is an invasion of privacy. If they were standing on public right of way when they took the pictures, they are entitled to do that.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

No. It is not illegal. It is also legal for them to hire Private Investigators to take pictures of people claiming to be hurt on the job and collectiong from L&I. They do this to prove that they are not actually injured.

Answer 9

Its perfectly legal. but if they obtain the pictures illegally by trespassing or breaking and entering that would be illegal.