When do I hand back my work laptop?

walthamalltheway · 2023-07-12T11:30:06+00:00

Hello, So my contact ends at the end of August. But I will be taking my last lot of leave during August. So will have about two weeks lefts when I return. My manager is asking me to hand back my laptop next week! I queried whether I needed to hand back my laptop on the last day? What should I do? What is the correct protocol?

BungalowBuyer · 12/07/2023 12:31

Last day is usual, won't you need it?

TheHairyHazelnut · 12/07/2023 12:32

Last day is usual, because it allows you to work up until then - but I'd not be arguing too loudly about being asked to hand it in early

Original poster

walthamalltheway · 12/07/2023 12:37

So what should I do? She is asking me to hand it back next week. I don't know what to reply to her- or should I let it slide? She said because I'm taking annual leave during August then I wouldn't need my laptop and can just use the office computers when I return from Annual Leave. (But I can't even access my office computers anyway). Is there caselaw on this?

OP posts:

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 12/07/2023 12:39

What do you need 'caselaw' for? just point out that you can't use the office computers i.e talk to your manager, not us.

LordEmsworth · 12/07/2023 12:41

The laptop belongs to them. They can ask for it back at any time.

Your employer will/should have a process for leavers, and it will be different from company to company. You need to discuss with your manager whatever your concerns are to address them, rather than debate whether you're going to give it back or not.

EatThoseFrogs · 12/07/2023 12:41

Why do you want to keep it past your last day working? Are you likely to use it during your annual leave?

Seems weird, I wouldn't want to have to mess around with going in the office/arranging a courier etc 2 weeks after the last time I used my laptop purely so I could keep it on my shelf for 2 weeks during my leave?!

Spidey66 · 12/07/2023 12:41

Tell them you’ll hand it early but you won’t be able to work effectively on your return from leave without it.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 12/07/2023 12:42

Why can't you access the office computers?

EatThoseFrogs · 12/07/2023 12:42

Sorry, I misread @walthamalltheway

I'd clarify how they want you to work for the final two weeks. Is there an issue with the office computers?

AlisonDonut · 12/07/2023 12:43

If she wants it back then give it back. It's her problem if you can't do anything without it.

Hazelnuttella · 12/07/2023 12:43

EatThoseFrogs · 12/07/2023 12:41

Why do you want to keep it past your last day working? Are you likely to use it during your annual leave?

Seems weird, I wouldn't want to have to mess around with going in the office/arranging a courier etc 2 weeks after the last time I used my laptop purely so I could keep it on my shelf for 2 weeks during my leave?!

She has two weeks at work after she returns from annual leave.

OP - Have you told your manager you can’t access the work computers? If so, then just give it back and sit in the office doing nothing/ phoning IT for 2 weeks, if that’s what they want you to do.

Hazelnuttella · 12/07/2023 12:43

Sorry cross posted

PTSDBarbiegirl · 12/07/2023 12:44

walthamalltheway · 12/07/2023 12:37

So what should I do? She is asking me to hand it back next week. I don't know what to reply to her- or should I let it slide? She said because I'm taking annual leave during August then I wouldn't need my laptop and can just use the office computers when I return from Annual Leave. (But I can't even access my office computers anyway). Is there caselaw on this?

Print the emails, get a reference then just don't do any of the work you need a laptop/PC for. You've got it in writing so it's your managers problem.

FictionalCharacter · 12/07/2023 12:54

walthamalltheway · 12/07/2023 12:37

So what should I do? She is asking me to hand it back next week. I don't know what to reply to her- or should I let it slide? She said because I'm taking annual leave during August then I wouldn't need my laptop and can just use the office computers when I return from Annual Leave. (But I can't even access my office computers anyway). Is there caselaw on this?

Sounds like she’s just made a mistake and thinks you can access the office computers. Have you told her you can’t?

Pipsquiggle · 12/07/2023 12:57

They can ask for it back at any time, however, last day is usual.

They might have a new starter and not enough laptops, therefore as you're leaving soon, you're first to be asked

GoodChat · 12/07/2023 12:59

Just do what they ask. When you go back and can't work from the office computers they'll have to deal with it.

They're probably half expecting you not to go back after your annual leave so might not even reformat it and just want to know they have it in case you don't return.

BungalowBuyer · 12/07/2023 13:45

GoodChat · 12/07/2023 12:59

Just do what they ask. When you go back and can't work from the office computers they'll have to deal with it.

They're probably half expecting you not to go back after your annual leave so might not even reformat it and just want to know they have it in case you don't return.

This is my guess also.

Quveas · 12/07/2023 13:48

I wouldn't need my laptop and can just use the office computers when I return from Annual Leave. (But I can't even access my office computers anyway)

Why can't you access your office computers?

Original poster

walthamalltheway · 12/07/2023 14:24

Quveas · 12/07/2023 13:48

I wouldn't need my laptop and can just use the office computers when I return from Annual Leave. (But I can't even access my office computers anyway)

Why can't you access your office computers?

IT was a mess! They couldn't help, they were passing me from pillar to pillar and it is very difficult to get a hold of them. I soon gave up.

OP posts:

Reugny · 12/07/2023 14:28

Ignore unless she chases up before Friday midday.

Then if she chases up tell her by email the dates you are working in August and state that you cannot log on to the office computers and IT can't help you, so you want to hand your laptop in on your last day.

If she still demands it, hand it back and do no work for two weeks.

Whatyoutalkingabouteh · 13/07/2023 23:04

Just have a conversation with your manager.
if you had it in next week you can’t do any work in the mat 2 weeks due to no access to the office computer so what do they want you to do. Suggest giving it on your last day

Spinewars23 · 13/07/2023 23:31

The last remote/hybrid place wanted laptop back last working day of notice and only relented on 24 hours later as it was my booked day off I had to reason I could travel to hand back over. I received constant messages from line manager until it was handed over just after 1pm on a Friday, (l left Thursday end of day) the Manager tried saying laptops just left at depot reception had gone astray with previous leaving colleagues and that is why apparently they were so panicky.