boss goes through toolbox when i'm not there.Can he do that?

Is it on his property? Are they your tools? Are they in your truck?

soryy,tool box is on his property.car dealership.

Whos tools?
JoeC

my tool box,my tools on dealership property

I'm going to go out on a limb and say there is a lot more to the story than the boss looking in your toolbox. As the details often make all the difference, it would help if you gave us the reason you are so concerned, why the boss went into your toolbox and what he found when he did.

I want to clarify why Elle's question is important.

If, for instance, an employer was going into your toolbox to get and then, say, sell your tools, you may have something to talk about.

If, however, an employer was going into your toolbox to follow up on a report of an illegal substance or weapon, then the water gets really murky.

Do you want an employee that was hacked off enough to bring a gun to work to hand it to you?

late friday afternoon had a car that needed a part,got part from parts department and layed on bench next to tool box.Went home because I was told car was staying over weekend and was going to install part on monday,apperently customer came in saturday morning and wanted vehicle so boss asked if tech that was working on saturday would install part,he got part off of bench then proceeded to go through my tool box.Boss found an oil filter that I had in tool box and asked if I has a receipt for it and I did not,accused me of not installing oil filter on a vehicle and said I stole oil filter.Wanted me to pay for oil filter but i refused because i had already paid for it.

I really don't see a problem with your boss finding the filter.

He wasn't looking for stolen goods. He happened upon it.

Further, the toolbox was unlocked on his property.

Civilians don't have the same burden of proof that police do. And they don't need as much or any proof of theft to fire you.

What happens if you don't pay for the filter - will you be terminated? If so, it would be legal. You can be fired for suspicion of theft.