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?

The the fact that OP has an hours' commute is not her workplaces problem.

She was well enough to secure another job!

Depends if the workplace moved after she took the job.
In any case, I find it unreasonable to ask someone off sick to do a two hour round trip when she has already said she's not well enough.

And ask them to send a pizza over because you won"t bother with a leaving do.

This. Don't make it awkward. If they want it in a special box etc ask them to send one over, ask them to arrange their own courier to collect.

It doesn't matter - OP's commute is not her employers problem. Even if the workplace did move, she didn't have to stay.

She's also clearly not that unwell if she can job hunt, attend interviews and secure a new job either.

She needs to return their equipment. If she doesn't feel capable of going in herself, then she needs to tell her employer to send a courier.

She's off sick with work related stress but has handed in her notice and accepted another job so the reason for her sickness doesn't really apply anymore, she's got a sicknote to cover till the end of her notice to get paid but isn't 'sick' anymore so she needs to return their stuff the same as anyone else who resigned which presumably in their contract, is return their work stuff within 2 days.

Obviously, you feel a bit harried by all this but I'm not sure it was intentional. As per PPs, do arrange for your equipment to be returned. PPs have a good idea about using a courier. This would save you a lot of hassle,

Perhaps the multiple messages were due to lots of people addressing this on their to-do list? It's an easy one to complete. When I gave notice a few jobs back, the boss sent me a confirmation letter by return post! But I think that was b/c it was just an easy one to finish.

You could send one giant group email to all the different people or email just one of them and ask that colleague to forward to others?

Just tell them to send a courier. You aren’t well enough to return it in person.

When I resigned I just returned laptop etc the post office - it was about £20 guaranteed next day delivery and insurance

I’m in HR and it really upsets me to see employers behaving like this. Completely lacking in compassion and bringing our profession into disrepute (as if it couldn’t get any worse).

However, leaving aside whether they’re BU, OP you may find you can move on and achieve closure more quickly if you can find a way to return the equipment soon so it’s not staring you in the face every day and causing you more stress.

Good luck.

I'm assuming the employer is NHS.
If OP still has laptop and /or medical equipment they will take it further if not returned - it's deemed theft of NHS property.
Most likely some other/new member of staff is needing it now OP has resigned.

I don’t think a courier is an option for security reasons, nor is someone else taking it for me. I’ve been told I need to hand it in person to a manager.

I’ve been applying for jobs for almost a year, as I knew I wasn’t feeling great about the place. I interviewed back in Feb (when I was still at work), was added to reserve list (civil service) and have luckily been offered a position now.

I might just go in over the weekend when I know no one is really there and leave it all in my locker, hand the key to security?

Do you not have to sign your laptop back in?
I'd not leave it anywhere without handing it to someone and them signing they had it.

It’s probably something that is automatically triggered when you hand in your resignation and is done in sufficient time before you termination date to enable you to plan.

ultimately it is work equipment that needs to be returned and if you aren’t going to be working your notice then get it returned earlier.

In all respect if you are too unwell to return it you are too unwell to start a new job.

No one has suggested should not return it or steal it. 🙈

When someone has been made so ill by their employer that they need to take sick leave and ultimately look for a new job, it is absolutely NOT awkwardness that prevents them from returning to that place of employment at short notice in order to accede to demands to return employer property.
The right and considerate thing for an employer to do in those circumstances is arrange collection of the items at their own expense.
I could have no more returned to a workplace I had to leave in similar circumstances than walk over hot coals naked.

Just tell them to send a courier on xx date to pick it up.
As someone who has spent months chasing equipment that was not returned, we always try to get it ahead of the employee leaving our employment because after that we have zero leverage in honesty so if they know youre not coming back before the end date, I can see why they are chasing. But yes I understand it feels awful for you

I never said they were threatening to steal it.
I said... if they were tardy returning it... it could be deemed as theft.

i say its better its with one of the company managers as then its management

At my work you can’t be classed as off sick anymore if you have a new job unless it’s a case that it was concluded that your illness makes it impossible to return to your existing job and you need to find a different job that can meet your needs instead.

In this instance your manager should come to you and take it for you. As a manager that is what I would do. I wish you all the best in your new role.

Im not sure why you think she works in the NHS but regardless there is no theft… no part of the offence is present. She is in lawful
possession of the items but she’s not returning them at the speed that the employer is wanting. ( and that doesn’t make it a criminal offence ) I’m wondering if there is something in the employment contract other than “ need to be returned “. I’d make it clear to the employer that it’s available to collect anytime to show you have no intention to keep anything. They can send someone over if they’re desperate. Alternatively I’d see if there was a friend who would drop it off for you if there is no particular debrief that needs to happen in person.

I don't see why you're imagining you have to return it in person. That would be ridiculous. Ask them to send a courier to collect or send it back by registered post.

I would think returning it in person is pretty normal procedure unless you really can’t and it’s probably very rare that someone can’t. She is still employed by them and being paid.