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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that if I have a laptop given to me...

18 replies

MrsFruitcake · 29/10/2013 08:37

by work, I shouldn't have to leave it in the office when I'm on annual leave?

They have been quite happy for me to pick up mails and do bits and pieces outside of work hours but now I've been asked to actually bring the laptop back into work (one day into 5 days of leave), with no proper explanation of why.

Is it mine or isn't it?

OP posts:
CrohnicallyTired · 29/10/2013 08:40

Well, it depends. Is it a work's laptop solely for your use (and that you'll have to give back when you leave)? Or was it a gift to you, from work (that is yours to keep when you leave)?

If it's the former then I guess they're perfectly within their rights to ask for it back during leave- presumably whoever is covering for you will need access to your laptop.

If it's the latter then of course they are being unreasonable.

curlew · 29/10/2013 08:41

I would ask why.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 29/10/2013 08:43

Unreasonable to ask once leave has started as you might be in the south of France.

livinginwonderland · 29/10/2013 08:43

Well, is it on loan to you while you work, or did work give it to you to keep permanently?

If they say, have 10 laptops that they loan out, then you shouldn't have it at home while on leave, but if they've given everyone a laptop, then I don't see why you can't keep it at home with you.

teacherandguideleader · 29/10/2013 09:04

I used to have a work laptop. Never had to give it back during the school holidays (although I suspect that it was because they wanted us to spend all holiday working!).

I can see why they might need it back, but it should be something that is known about beforehand.

LaGuardia · 29/10/2013 09:08

Are you a teacher who has been accessing adult content sites on the laptop?

youarewinning · 29/10/2013 09:08

I'm surprised you have been asked to take it in too. My work laptop is mainly kept at home - even during school holidays. I take everything I need to and from on a protected memory stick.

DevilsRoulette · 29/10/2013 09:48

is it yours? If you quit your job will you be allowed to take it away with you?

if yes, then they shouldn't be making you bring it in

if no, then it's a works laptop for your use while you are employed by the company and if they want it then you have to hand it over.

meganorks · 29/10/2013 10:00

I'm maternity leave and I have mine. Even got an upgrade a couple of months before. But if you are just off foe a short time that's a bit odd. It is theirs but surely only you are going to work on it. And asking you to cone in when on leave is a bit off - ask you to leave it before you go if they want it thar badly.

SuburbanRhonda · 29/10/2013 10:06

They may be doing some kind of inventory, or upgrading software on all work laptops and they've just realised yours isn't there.

I agree that they should have asked for all of them to be handed in if this is the case, though.

If you are actually working on it, I would explain that, but if you just want it to use while you on holiday because you haven't got one of your own, they would probably be perfectly entitled to ask for it back.

LunaticFringe · 29/10/2013 10:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WorkingItOutAsIGo · 29/10/2013 10:43

If you work in financial services it may be a compliance issue. Generally every employee has to be off the system for a period each year to ensure there is no systematic fraud going on. It wouldn't mean they suspect you.

ZillionChocolate · 29/10/2013 11:29

I'd say you can't take it in, but you'll be available at x-y o'clock if they'd like to send a courier round to collect it.

WooWooOwl · 29/10/2013 11:40

Whether its yours or its not is something that your employer needs to make clear to you, no one on here is going to know what the arrangement is!

But if they want it back then give it back, knowing that you won't be expected to pick up emails or do little bits and pieces outside work hours any longer.

angelinajelly · 29/10/2013 11:40

Tell them it isn't convenient. It wouldn't have been unreasonable for them to ask you to leave it in the office while you were off, but you shouldn't have to faff around while you're on leave. If it's for an IT thing- an upgrade or something- they should have planned it better and it won't be the end of the world if your laptop is done later than the rest. It always happens. I think it's more likely they want to lend it to someone else.

themaltesefalcon · 29/10/2013 12:02

Rather depends on your job, OP.

Will your replacement, if there is one, need the computer to do their work?

niceguy2 · 29/10/2013 12:34

I don't think the laptop is given to you to keep forever. In most companies it is 'given' to you as a tool that you return if/when you leave.

If they did 'give' it to you to own then you'd get taxed on it as a benefit in kind.

Assuming your company own it then whilst odd, there might be a logical explanation such as above like they need it for your stand-in.

SlangKing · 29/10/2013 12:49

If you've booked and been given leave then they've NO RIGHT to ask you to be available to them during that period. You're not on leave if they're dictating where you should be. I can understand them wanting the laptop if it contains sensitive info, but they should request it on the day before your leave, not during it.

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