Resigning and return of work equipment

[ann4812]

Unfortunately I have resigned from my job, been there a long time but things have changed the past couple of years and I’ve found myself more and more unhappy and stressed.

I have been signed off with work related stress, during which I have resigned, due to finding another job that hopefully will be better. My sick note runs to the end of my notice so u won’t be returning now.

Within 2 days of resigning, I have been contacted multiple times by supervisors, HR, colleagues stating that my work equipment (laptop, uniform, access card etc) needs to be returned within 2 days. My notice period runs for a month.

I am aware that this is company property and will need returning, and I am of course planning to do so. But AIBU to find this a bit much when I’m off with work related stress for them to be demanding everything back straight away?

For context, I’ve genuinely been unwell, although I have a new job I am down about the end of my career as I thought it was going to be. Where I need to return my equipment to is over an hour from me, and I am likely going to need someone to come with me to support me due to how I feel about work at the moment and the anxiety it’s causing me and has caused me.

I have obviously not been using my work equipment while I have been off sick and don’t plan to do so, it’s just the pressure being put on me within days to get it back. AIBU or is this normal?

Something similar happened to a friend (very clear, evidenced, sexual harassment not being dealt with properly which ultimately led to them leaving). The company was sent a legal letter and there was a payout agreed.
I don’t think they can make you return your things to head office if thats not your place of work. Personally I would speak to a lawyer about the whole thing and get them
to send a letter.

It's a 'fit note' meaning she'd not fit for work due to stress at work, not that she isn't fit for anything.

We refer to them as 'sick notes' but they're actually fit notes.

As is discussed all the time when someone complains their colleague is 'off sick' but going on holiday, to restaurants etc. Which is usually completely fine depending on that the reason for not being fit for work is given on the fit note.

Just give them their things back. See if a friend would drop them off for you. The sooner you return the work gear, they will have no excuse to contact you, enabling you to move on.

I never said she couldn't be contacted at all. I questioned TO WHAT EXTENT she can be contacted because it seems like she's being harassed and that doesn't seem helpful for someone off on stress.
As I said before, we don't know if her home and work have always been in the same place.

But she's sick because of work....

Whoa. You okay? That was pretty aggressive.

The poster's maybe got a history of absences or being contacted while off. They did seem a bit touchy...😆

Nope, never been off on stress, but I can empathise with people who have been.

As do I. I'd hurriedly return my former employer's equipment, though, and be done with it.

Maybe you would, but if you were the HR person would you be calling every day when the OP is off sick and still in her notice period knowing that something bad happened on her last day at the office and her sickness is mental health related to her work?

It’s not OPs former employer, it’s her current employer. She is under no obligation to return anything before her last day, and since the entire reason she is off sick is because of them, I personally hope she keeps her work equipment until 1659 on the very last day.

People are speaking to her as if she has stolen something. She has not.

Can’t be that urgent, as I haven’t heard anything from them after suggesting it is collected or couriered…

Either contact your employer and say you will return it by 'x' date - or ask someone else to return it on your behalf

Or

Explain that you do not feel well enough to return it to the office so can you arrange for it to be collected

Either way, retain your email communication and also confirm by email that the equipment was returned and handed to ?? on 'x' date.

Hopefully a weight will lift from your shoulders soon.

Good luck

I agree, there are some very weird responses on here.

But you can definitely use a courier OP. Unless there is something in your employment contract that says otherwise - which I very much doubt. Or they can send a member of staff to your home (or better a location near your home like a cafe) to collect it from you.

But if you can go at a weekend and that works for you, do that.

Ha ha what a surprise.

Still heard nothing else from them