How Should Companies Handle Laptop Ownership: Immediate Transfer or After a Few Years?

Revised Laptop Policy Proposal

I want to introduce a revised laptop policy where the employee is given ownership right from the beginning (purchased in the name of the employee) or after 2-3 years (purchased in the name of the company and transferred to the employee after 2-3 years).

For example, the company helps in the form of a laptop loan and deducts the loan amount in installments. This could be one of the models. Please share any other such models where the complete liability to purchase is not on the organization, and the ownership is with employees.

Regards,
Parul.

Kindly see [Procter & Gamble tries a bring-your-laptop-to-work program - Computerworld](http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9168379/Procter_Gamble_tries_a_bring_your_laptop_to_work_p rogram) for implications of what you are thinking.

Regards.

I appreciate this piece of information, but in the Indian SME context, this may still not work due to affordability issues, especially at the entry level or with low-field staff. I aim to strike a balance between affordability and saving costs for the company, creating a win-win situation for both employees and the organization.

In our organization, we also encourage the use of personal laptops. However, what about those who can't afford to or won't invest in purchasing a laptop for work, especially if it is to be 100% self-funded? Some organizations provide loans or bear partial costs. I would like to explore some ideas on this.

Regards,
Parul.

If you are giving interest-free loans, it's a different matter. Otherwise, it all depends on whether the new staff wants to work for you or not. You can "lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink," as the popular saying goes. If workers are not interested or capable of buying their own, your scheme may not work effectively.

I agree with the points shared here. It is observed that self-investment for office purposes is not taken in the right spirit by employees in this part of the world. In this scenario, the company can make a down payment (company's contribution), and the balance amount can be paid in installments by the employee, keeping the ownership of the laptop with them. Also, the ownership of any product after 2-3 years does not go well in private companies where attrition is high.

Here, we need to check the genuine interest of the employee(s) to purchase the laptop and also to help them understand the importance of using it from both parties' points of view.

Thanks,
Sanjay

What is the stance of your management on this issue? Please share that as well.

In this case, you can issue laptops to those who have served for more than 2 years. If an employee is being relieved, they will need to pay the full amount of the laptop with interest. You can determine a lifespan for the laptop, and upon completion of that period, you can allow the employee to pay a nominal amount and take the laptop with them.

However, you should not instruct employees to bring their own laptops for work. Your company's confidentiality might be compromised due to your personal laptop policy.

Regards.

All points are well taken. The loan strategy, if worked out, would be interest-free. I feel it is correct, as suggested by Sanjay, that the ownership should be transferred during the purchase itself. We will have to decide on the contribution share by employees and the employer if this is the model to be decided upon.

Once again, thanks to all of you for your inputs.

Regards,
Parul

Is there any policy on laptop use where employees use their laptops for official work?