I quit big4 about 10 months ago. I still have 2 laptops from them (one that doesn’t work)

The Struggles of Returning Equipment After Leaving a Big Firm: My Experience

Leaving a prestigious firm like the Big Four is a significant milestone, but the challenges don’t always end when you say goodbye. Nearly ten months ago, I parted ways with my Big Four employer, and I’m still navigating the process of returning company equipment, which has proven to be more complicated than I anticipated.

Upon my departure, I completed a survey detailing the equipment in my possession, specifically indicating that I needed a shipping label and boxes to send back two laptops I had used during my tenure. Given that I was primarily working remotely, I wanted to avoid a 40-minute trip to the office, along with the hassle of paying for parking, to return the items.

After submitting my request, I waited patiently for the shipping label and packaging to arrive. Unfortunately, my patience was met with silence – the label never came. In an effort to resolve the issue, I called the office, only to find my call redirected to another department due to a lack of response from my own team. The representative took my number and assured me that someone would get in touch. Yet, like the shipping label, that promise was also left unfulfilled.

Months have passed since that initial attempt, and now this equipment is taking up valuable space in my home office as I navigate my new job. Clearly, I know I need to make another call to attempt to sort this out, but it raises a nagging question: why is it so challenging to return company property?

If you’ve ever dealt with a similar situation, you know the feeling of frustration that comes with unreturned phone calls and unresolved issues. It shouldn’t be this complicated to give back what rightfully belongs to the company. This experience has made me appreciate the importance of efficient offboarding processes in any organization. As I sort through this, I hope to find a resolution that clears up my workspace and allows me to focus on my current role rather than lingering reminders of my past employment.

Have you faced challenges returning equipment after leaving a job? Share your experiences below!