Navigating the Post-Employment Equipment Return from Big Firms: My Experience

Leaving a prestigious firm can be a pivotal moment in one’s career, but it often comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to returning company property. Approximately ten months ago, I bid farewell to my job at a Big Four firm, and the experience of returning their equipment has been less than seamless.

Upon my departure, I promptly completed a survey to document the company assets in my possession, including two laptops. Given that I had transitioned to remote work, I made it clear that I required shipping labels and packing materials to return these items—nobody relishes the idea of a 40-minute commute just to drop off some outdated technology, especially when parking fees are factored in.

Initially, I was eager to return the laptops, but I found myself waiting indefinitely for the promised shipping labels and boxes. After some time, I decided to reach out via phone. Unfortunately, my call was rerouted to a different office due to the unavailability of someone from my former team. Although the representative took my contact details and assured me that someone would follow up, that promise turned into yet another dead end—no one called back.

Fast forward several months, and here I find myself in a dilemma. My home office—now a vital space for my current role—is being encroached upon by these unused laptops. It’s clear that I need to take action and call again, yet it feels frustrating that this simple process of returning borrowed equipment has become an ordeal.

This experience serves as a reminder of the logistical complexities that can arise after leaving a large organization. While my journey post-Big Four has been positive overall, the hassle of returning company property has been an unexpected stressor. If there’s one lesson learned, it’s the importance of persistence in navigating corporate processes, no matter how trivial they might seem.