I'm planning to leave some of my surplus items in geocaches, in the hope that it will be found by someone who needs it. But first I have to find one of the damn things myself.

I have had the same problem. I told them to go and have an interesting relationship ( as in " go.....") with a ring donut. My personal property about my person is not their concern. Oh, and last I looked: Political Correctness has no standing in law and in my view is Orwellian Double Speak by another name.

Same here, my manager saw the leatherman case on my belt and told me he used to carry one until HR made him leave it so he suggested that mine become more hidden so I;ve moved it back to my pocket.
Its funny though everyone knows to come to me if they need a tool.