Is it legal for my employer to open mail sent to me in care of the business, such as thank you cards, etc. ?

This has been an ongoing debate here. Though it does state in our employee manual that the Employer has the "right" to open our mail, I believe it's intentions were to cover personal mail we may have sent to us at work (which no one here does, that I'm aware of). We will get thank you cards, Christmas and other holiday cards opened up, sometimes a week or more AFTER the postmark. They open our 1099's from one source of our income, and other sensitive material we may receive from some of our suppliers. I'm just curious - is this a common occurance in business, or something more isolated. Regardless, I would like to know if this is legal or not - whether they state in our manual it is their "right" to do so. If it isn't legal, what would be the best way to handle the situation?

Answer:
Yes they can. why do you have any personal mail delivered to your workplace? Have it sent to your home.
A employer can open any mail that is addressed to name of the employer unless it states your name and is written "private and confidential".
You are better off getting mail to your home instead of office.
If it is U.S. Mail directed to you personally.It is a crime and you should report it to postal investigators,and then look for a new job.or an attorney to defend your wrongfull termination suit.
No its not legal its your mail and being sent in care of the business which means that they forward to your office /cubicle in a timely manner against postal and federal law to open mail with out your Name ON IT (personal name ) personal mail is yours and you can make a complaint (job issues) your mail is your alone and someone is a busy body in your place of employment
I don't believe it's legal. Call the Post Office and ask, report them if it's illegal. You should be able to keep it confidential.
I worked for Aetna Mail order pharmacy here in Kansas city, patients mail in the prescription scripts to the facility and it gets filled. i do know that there is a dept there that opens ALL mail in case SOMETHING is in it. You can't take chances these days! I would have the mail thats coming to your work sent to your home if you dont want anyone seeing it. Or if you know tons of mail enters your work place, who knows, they may not even remember what they find, you go through so much a day, they forget..lol.
As far as i know it is illegal for anyone to open mail that is not addressed to them or they do not have permission to open. I would take union advice if they have it in a manual. seems odd to me unless they have had problems with communication items through the post in the past.
The best way is not to have any personal mail in the mailbox.
They absolutely will open it.

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