Former Employee Still Has Company Laptop After FFS – How Should He Return It and Access PF?

Respected Seniors, my friend was working with a telecom company. After serving 1.5 years, he left the company. His Full and Final Settlement (FFS) was done smoothly. The issue is he still has the company's laptop as no one inquired about it. It's been over a year now. Also, he is in need of his Provident Fund (PF). Please suggest what he should do.

Of course, ask him to return the laptop. Also, have a process called "Demobilization/Clearance Form" introduced in the company to avoid such lapses, wherein the employee has to personally visit all relevant departments to hand over/clarify any pending matters/items.

Regards,
Ukmitra

Why hasn't the employee taken a step forward to return the company's belongings? Just because of his smooth exit, did he think to return them only when he was asked to?

This poses a challenge to the HR of that company and to you. Even though you plan to return the laptop, what do you expect—the employer to accept it after using it for a year? Nothing should hinder his access to the PF. He can approach the employer and inquire about the PF as usual (no employer has the right to stop PF). He should also check with the concerned HR if there are any pending matters regarding the return. If not, I suggest he says nothing.

There is a reason for me to say this—he will be judged on various levels, which may leave a negative mark affecting his background verification process with different companies. This action could be a point that the employer may choose to overlook.

Please advise him to be cautious regarding these details. They may seem small in observation but can become significant when they resurface.

I beg to differ. Your suggestion of not returning or mentioning the laptop to the ex-employer would amount to treachery. Someday, this will be revealed, and it will have an impact on the employee. This world is very small, and you don't know where the shark of evil will pounce on you in what form.

A mistake is a mistake, and by admitting it, you don't degrade yourself but rather "confess your misdeeds." It does not matter what the company will think. It's a matter of trust, and the employee should return what is, in fact, the property of the company.

Advice to Return the Laptop

Ask your friend to return the laptop and also make the request to collect the PF. Kaynat will not fall on him if he is true and just, but kaynat will be with him. Cheers.

Regards,
Ukmitra

Note: Correction in my past message: I thought

It is not so strange that the company has given clearance without a thorough check. I have read this blog long back and observed that many companies are really not serious about exits. In some places, businesses will not even disclose to HR about an employee leaving in advance, which can be a surprise to HR on the last working day.

Recommendations for Handling Exit Issues

Coming to the original issue, here are my recommendations:

1. Prepare an appeal with an excuse for not returning the laptop. Maybe you can visit the firm, hand it over, and get a receipt.
2. For PF, you do not require any further assistance from the previous employer (if you want to transfer to a new company) if the previous employer has already instructed to delete your name from PF (Form 10). Follow this citehr link to see another interesting discussion on this: this citehr link.

Ukmitra is ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. I am also surprised at the ethics of your friend—just because HR doesn't ask for the laptop, he conveniently forgets it [or was it willfully]? GREAT!!!

What stopped him from reminding HR that he still has the laptop and offering to return it? Wouldn't that have been MORE appropriate? There's a quote by Mark Twain: "Everyone takes good care of the Big things; it's only in how you take care of the Small things that your true nature comes out." Guess it doesn't need any elaboration.

Like Consultme suggested, ask your friend to prepare a good story for the lapse, return it, and take a receipt. Even though making up such a story isn't really right, it at least is to correct a mistake.

Regards,
TS