Navigating Equipment Returns After Leaving a Job: A Personal Experience

After stepping away from my position at a Big Four Accounting firm nearly ten months ago, I found myself facing an unexpected hurdle: the return of company equipment. As part of my exit process, I was aware that two laptops—one functioning and one clearly out of commission—needed to be sent back.

When I initially departed, I completed a survey outlining the equipment in my possession and indicated that I would require both shipping labels and boxes to facilitate the return. My remote work circumstances made it impractical for me to travel the forty minutes to the office, especially with parking expenses adding to my concerns.

Despite my efforts, the labels and boxes never materialized. After some time had passed without any communication, I took the initiative to call the company. Unfortunately, my call was redirected to another office, and though the representative assured me that someone would follow up, that promise fell through the cracks, as I never received a callback.

Fast forward to today, and I find myself in a bit of a bind. As I settle into my current role, the need for a tidy home office space has become increasingly pressing. The lingering presence of those unused laptops is becoming a significant distraction.

While I know a follow-up call is in order, it leaves me wondering: why does returning equipment seem like such a challenging process? It shouldn’t have to be this complicated.

For anyone in a similar position, just remember to persist and advocate for yourself. Returning equipment, when necessary, should be a straightforward task, not a source of frustration.