Is it legal for higher position co-worker to open mail that's addressed to me and says in red "authorized personnel only"?

Question

Due to vile neighbours who've stolen upwards of $800 worth of products sent to me via mail & a building management team that's done nothing about it, I've had no choice but to change the address of my things. Although I have rented out a box at my local UPS store, I did have to temporarily re-route mail to my work place. I thought I had changed all my mailing addresses to my PO box, however a federal letter was sent to my work place today. My c
o-worker, not my employer, claims to have accidentally opened my mail. I am currently taking 2 weeks off from work after losing a loved one. They let me know they had opened my mail by using the office scanner to scan & email it to me. There was no apology in the email, having tampered with my mail. To add, the window in the letter showing whom it's addressed to not only says my name, but in bold red printing with asterisk, state "authorized personnel only". So what I'm wondering is if there's anything that can be done about this? The information in the mail is private - it has to do with my taxes. He very clearly read it. & due to uncomfortable situations with him in the past, I'm worried he'll divulge my private information to our boss & what consequences could come from that. Any guidance on the matter would be greatly appreciated, as I'm finding mixed replied on whether their actions were legal or not. Although I don't want to sue, I do want to know my rights, especially if this affects my career/position at this company. 

Answer 1

no it's not "legal". you should notify both your vile neighbors and the building management that you will be letting the postal service know everything that's happened with your mail and that they will be sending out a postal inspector to talk to them. that should put the fear of God into them to make sure you get your untampered mail.  

Answer 2

Thanks to those that actually educated instead of being a bitter hag! Much appreciated. You must lack brain cells if what's written out doesn't make sense to you. Have a blessed day. 

Answer 3

Oh stop whining.  1st of all, you say HIGHER POSITION, so that indicates some authority over you.  2nd, a supervisor OR ANY OTHER EMPLOYEE THEY AUTHORIZE, even someone lower than you can be designated to open mail addressed to you at work.



Your boss/ co workers had no way to tell this was a personal letter.  The way you describe it, it sounds like a business letter.



It makes absolutely NO SENSE that "payroll" handles all mail.  Payroll handles pay for employees, not most business.



are you in the UK as per your spelling of 'neighbours'



who is this building management you expect to police deliveries?  your apartment?  are you saying you didn't even have a secure mail box for letters at home?



it doesn't matter that you had permission to get mail there.  you weren't there, it looked like it was important business mail.  THERE WAS NO WAY TO TELL IT WAS PERSONAL UNTIL IT WAS OPENED!  Even with permission for you to get personal mail there, they still had the right to open what looked like business mail.



you can rent a UPS box on the spot, no need to temporary send mail to the workplace, makes no sense that you did that.

Answer 4

if they are your supervisor, yes...otherwise it is up to the boss if they are allowed to or not.  not coworkers fault you had PERSONAL mail sent to work, they had every reason to believe it was BUSINESS MAIL, especially since it said PERSONNEL on it.



you can sue yourself for being negligent with your personal mail.



MAIL SENT TO YOU AT WORK IS NOT PERSONAL MAIL PROTECTED BY USPS LAWS....supervisors or anyone they designate are allowed to open it as it is seen as being property of the BUSINESS, not individual

Answer 5

Did you get permission in writing from your employer to use their address for your personal mail? If not then ANY mail that goes to your employers address addressed to whichever employee they can open as it is a work place address mail sent is to the company regardless if it is personally address for you...and as you are off work on compassionate leave, obviously someone else will open mail addressed to you as it is company mail