Can a company search an employee’s vehicle if it is parked in the company lot?

It depends. While an employer generally has the authority to inspect the exterior of an employee’s car on company property, the interior is a different story. A personal vehicle is typically considered private property, but its presence on company property does provide employers with some ability to inspect it in some situations.

Before inspecting a vehicle, the employer should consider several things: Was the employee made aware that vehicles parked on company property could be subject to search? Is the area clearly marked with a sign stating this? Are employees provided with a policy or other statement that vehicles will be subject to search? Is the suspicion/search based on observable facts or job-related misconduct? Will the search be limited in scope, and will the results be confidential to protect the privacy of the vehicle’s owner? If answering “yes” to all the above questions, a search might be acceptable. Alternatively, employers that suspect employees may have illegal/stolen/dangerous items in their personal vehicles could contact authorities for assistance.