Look. I'm no solicitor, but I worked in the criminal justice system for over three decades. I know of no legal right for any business, no matter how structured, that can demand of employees and other private citizens, to examine their private possessions. With care there are agreements to check employees as they leave work each day in case of theft, but its limited. Only persons authorised such as police have that right, and then as mentioned they may even require a search warrant. These demands by the League are, as far as I can determine, not legally sanctioned. An employee works for a company for a set duration each working day. But the employee is not owned, and when they leave work, their activities are their own. They may be sanctioned if their behaviour publicly embarrasses the company, but that would be covered in the contractual agreement. I cant see any individual signing to give a company the right to interfere with their personal activities, unless there has been a proven transgression. There is none as far as we know, so going on a witch hunt is crossing the line.
If they fine Manly, because private citizens working for them are unwilling to allow their possessions to be examined, I believe Manly would have a right to sue. I dont think even Manly has the right to examine their employee's possessions. Now I dont know the contractual agreements between clubs and the NRL, and what they cover, but I doubt that it can include private citizens, even as employees. Certainly the documentation of the business can be examined, if that's in the contract, but I cant see how that could possibly apply to employees private possessions. They are not police and have no such authority. Unless I'm reading this incorrectly the League is either bluffing, or they are not being well advised legally. Of course there may be issues of which I'm unaware, but on the surface, I cant see how the League has such legal right.
