Struggling to Return Equipment: A Frustrating Experience with My Former Employer

After departing from one of the Big Four firms nearly ten months ago, I find myself facing a surprising challenge: returning their equipment. I still possess two laptops issued by the company—one of which is no longer functional.

When I left, I took the initiative to complete a survey where I listed the equipment I had and requested shipping materials to facilitate the return of these laptops. Given that I primarily worked remotely, I wanted to avoid the hassle of a 40-minute office trip, complete with parking fees, merely to drop off a couple of devices.

Despite my proactive approach, the shipping label and boxes never arrived. After an extended wait, I contacted the support line, but my call was redirected to another office. A representative noted my contact information and assured me that I would receive a callback. Unsurprisingly, I never heard from them again.

Fast forward a few months, and I now find myself in need of a clutter-free home office as I embark on my current job. The two laptops are starting to become more of a nuisance, occupying space I desperately need.

While I understand that I should reach out to the firm again, it feels incredibly frustrating that returning their property should involve so much effort. I hope this serves as a reminder to companies about the importance of a streamlined process for returning equipment—especially in our increasingly remote work environment.