Opinion ID: 2638938
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Stolen Toolbox

Text: [¶55] Diamond B Services claimed that it was entitled to deduct from Mr. Rohde's wages the value of a toolbox which was stolen from Mr. Rohde's pickup. It claims that, under § 6(b)(xi) of the offset rules, the tool box was assigned to Mr. Rohde and was not returned to Diamond B Services at the end of his employment. Mr. Rohde acknowledged that, during his employment, he had a tool box which contained Diamond B Services tools, and that it had been stolen from the back of his pickup. He claimed that he reported the theft to his personal insurer, but, when he asked Randy Burry for a list of the tools for the insurer, Randy Burry told him not to worry about it. [¶56] The hearing officer denied the offset because there was no written acknowledgement of his receipt of the tools. Included in the record is an example of Diamond B Services toolbox checklist with a place for the employee to sign, acknowledging receipt of the tools. There is, however, no such form signed by Mr. Rohde. Consequently, there was no written authorization from Mr. Rohde which would have allowed Diamond B Services to deduct the value of the tool box from his wages pursuant to § 6(b)(xi) of the Department's rules. [¶57] The hearing officer's conclusions that Diamond B Services was not entitled to any offsets against Mr. Rohde's wages were supported by substantial evidence.