Can My Old Company File a Complaint After I've Returned All Their Equipment?

I worked for a company for about 9-10 months. During my time there, I took laptops and communication cables from the company for work purposes. I have now sent a resignation letter to the company, but I received an email stating that I should follow the notice period and return the laptops and other materials I borrowed. However, I have already returned all the materials and the laptop to the company. I have not signed any appointment letter, confirmation letter, or any kind of bond with the company. They are threatening to lodge an official complaint against me within a week. Please guide me on what to do. Do they have any right to file a complaint against me? I have joined a new job.

Have you received acknowledgment for the items returned?

Have you signed for laptops, etc., when you joined?

Are there any witnesses for the return of items?

If you returned the items while exiting, they cannot do anything.

Make sure that you do not commit such a blunder in the future, working without any official papers and carrying official items home without any entries in the records. As far as the official lodging of a complaint, it is merely a threat, as the employer might have taken it for granted that you will keep working without any official paperwork and can be terminated likewise. Do not confront, but at the same time, do not act timid and meek. Stay strong but stay smart. Moving forward, have documents in order before joining any company; do not rush and regret. Also, try to answer the queries raised by the other senior in these columns.

Thanks and Regards

I have not signed any documents for the laptop and other materials during joining. I have someone to whom I have explained about the laptop and materials over the telephone; she is in charge of those things. I have also come to know from outside sources that sir has checked my bag and all materials on the day when I sent my resignation letter. I am requesting you to guide me on what steps to take next.

Hi, what you have done is not right and not ethical. You have joined that company on the HR records, and as a normal process, the company can claim these are issued as part of the process. You do not have any proof from them for the returned items as well. The best advice that I can offer you is to go meet them and sort out the issue rather than create a fuss and put your future at risk. Hope I am being clear in my answer.