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?

If they want it so badly they can pick it up.
Or wait for you to return it before ypur notice period ends

Tell them to arrange a courier to collect it. That’s what most work places do.

they’ll probably need to send you a box to put It in but that’s on them.

Tbf this is likely not the case. Being signed as unfit for work is just advisory and employer/employee can agree to ignore the advice. It would be extremely rare for employers liability insurance to refuse an employee to return if they wanted to before their fit note ends.

I'm just going with what my GP told me

I was told someone couldn't come back to work early for this same reason i.e. if a certificate gave you 3 weeks and you felt better after 2, you still couldn't come back.

I suppose visitors are covered under a different insurance anyway.

If you are physically able to return them then I would request that you drop them off before the working day begins or after most employees have gone home.

You could just ignore them and return it on your last official day, but I’d honestly just give it back to them asap and move on with your life

that literally is suggesting theft 🤣

coming in to the office though is different to returning to work duties.

I had 7 days to return and dropped to a local employees house. No way was I going to that office !

Surly you can go and leave it at the reception. Or if they insist they can call a manager collect everything from you at the reception so you won’t need to go back to your floor / see colleagued etc.

Yes, I suppose she would be classed as a visitor.

Box it up and tell them where it can be collected from.

How to say you don’t understand stress without saying you don’t understand stress.

It would be totally normal reaction to return on ending employment, at my old workplace financial and therefore can be crime to access their system. If you have new job move on and I would be tempted to just take it back or arrange family friend to drop it off in your absence as you have told them your sick they can’t expect you to turn up in person.

I did have situation where a colleague failed to return the computer equipment and I knew in the past the company took legal action for its return. It really depends on the employer.

Because she was off sick with work related stress and doesn't work there anymore so the reason for her sickness no longer applies.

She's accepted another job and is starting soon.

She has a fit note (not sick note) to say she can't return to work there during her notice period because she was off with work-related stress but as she doesn't work there anymore and is fit to work another job, she's not 'sick' anymore outside of working there in that employment, otherwise she wouldn't be able to accept another job and be planning to start.

Its environment specific 'sickness' not actual 'sickness'.

In this, I really think you need to just be an adult and return it yourself. Just walk in, say I'm here to return this, I'll need a signed receipt please. Thanks, bye. Needing a friend to support you to return a laptop is ridiculous.

How to say you don't understand employment legislation without saying you don't understand employment legislation.

The real world has expectations and legislation and contracts.

It's not MN when you can say 'i'm stressed and anxious so be kind'.

Go in, drop off at reception and leave. Hard to do but best way to stop the contact.

Where I work we would arrange a van courier to collect from you. You wouldn't need to even pack the stuff up.

This
And get a receipt

If the workplace is a source of stress I can well understand the OP doesn't want to go there alone.

Just email them back confirming that you will return everything at your earliest convenience, before the end of your employment/notice period.

Once you've handed in your notice it's reasonable for them to ask for their equipment back. Given the circumstances as an employer I'd arrange for a courier to come and collect your things. Could you ask them to arrange to do that so that you don't have to go in?

Returning the equipment is one trip, hand over the stuff and the stress is gone. Putting it off is weeks of stress with it hanging over you, followed by making the trip anyway. Just bloody get it over with.