The Challenge of Returning Corporate Equipment After Leaving a Job

Leaving a major corporation can come with its fair share of challenges, and navigating the return of company property is often one of them. About ten months ago, I departed from my role at one of the Big Four Accounting firms, and I still find myself in possession of two laptops from my time there—one of which is non-functional.

Upon my exit, I diligently filled out a survey detailing the equipment I had on hand and requested shipping materials to facilitate the return. Given that I had been working from home, the idea of trekking 40 minutes to the office, only to pay for parking, was far from appealing. I opted for convenience, anticipating that a shipping label and boxes would soon arrive.

However, time passed without any follow-up from the company. After a reasonable wait, I decided to reach out for assistance. Unfortunately, my call ended up being routed to a different office, and after providing my details to a representative who assured me that someone would get back to me, I was left without further communication.

Fast forward a few months, and I find myself in need of space in my home office for my current position. These two laptops are now just additional clutter in an area I need for productivity.

While I know that reaching out once more is the logical next step, it’s frustrating to feel like returning this equipment has become a more complicated task than it should be. Hopefully, my next attempt will finally resolve this small yet bothersome issue.

Have you faced similar challenges when returning company property after leaving a job? Share your experiences in the comments!