opening someone elses mail

[beverleymot]

hello... my friend had a jiffy bag delivered to work today, only a stencil set insidefor her grand daughter and we are allowed personal post there, however our accounts lady opened it before she gave it to my friend.

I am aware that its a priveledge to be allowed to have post delivered to work, but I am under the impression that it is illegal to open someone elses post.

My friend approached our director about it who said it;s in our contract, and she was shown the actual part of the contract, but surely they still can't do this? it's a british law, and im assuming that no business is above the law?!

[pretty_snowdrop]

^^^ i meant find x

[boxtops]

I'd understood that it was illegal to open someone else's mail, but IMO, when a package is delivered to the workplace it depends on the rules of that workplace. In our team, mail arrives addressed to any of us or to the team, the person opening the post opens all of it and distributes it unless the letter is marked Private and Confidential. I consider it a bonus that we are allowed to have personal parcels delivered to work (since we are never at home during the day) but I usually tell the receptionist if I am expecting something, then she looks out for it.

[ubasses]

It would appear from below that if the Company has a reasonable excuse. ie to ensure to ensure that there is nothing illegal or dangerous in the package and do not intend to deprive the recipient of the post, or make use of what is in the parcel they are not breaking the law. it is from the BBC website.

The Postal Services Act 2000 is clear that an offence is created if anyone intentionally delays the post or intentionally opens a mail bag. The Act goes on to say: "A person commits an offence if, intending to act to a person's detriment and without reasonable excuse, he opens a postal packet which he knows or reasonably suspects has been incorrectly delivered to him."

[ummmm]

What if it's an individual? Say, a landlord opening a tenants letter?

[boxtops]

I agree with Eddie re email too.

[Prudie]

Until a few years ago my workplace had every piece of incoming mail opened and recorded by the 'Registry' in a book. It was someone's near full-time job.

[boxtops]

ummm, that's mail delivered to a private house, I'd call that different, I would be livid if my landlord opened my personal mail. Mail sent to work is a privilege not a right.

[ummmm]

Boxy - happened to my daughter today!!

[woofgang]

If you have agreed to it by signing the contract then they can open your mail it's as easy as that. By agreeing to it in the contract, you have given permission for it to happen.

[ummmm]

Sound, Thanks EDDIE...I will let her know. Just hope the law is the same in Ireland.

[4getmenot]

i used to open post at work but only if had company address on. I opened bosses once and it was a sexy nurses uniform!

[Prudie]

I accidentally opened my boss's payslip a few months ago, now that was embarrassing

[hc4361]

It is not illegal to open another person's post.
Please provide a link that says it is, beverley.

[maclarencat]

Companies have to be able to open peoples mail. If someone working there is receiving mail with their name on it, but relating to work and no-one else could open it what would happen if that person left or went on holiday? I understand the friend being annoyed but was any harm done? I think not so don't see a problem. I take it your friend does not like the woman in accounts?

[pink-kittens]

op, you seem to 'get told' a lot of wrong information, dont you?
Moral of the story? Get your own personal mail sent to your own personal address , simple