Employee Not Returning Company Property and Loans: How Should We Handle This Situation?

Dear friends,

An employee is not attending to their duties, as they have not returned certain company belongings, advance money, and loans. Even after repeated reminders in verbal and notes, they did not comply.

I request all of you to please suggest to me what action we should take against this individual.

Regards,
Srinivas

Dear Shrinivas,

I hope your company also has some dues of his which can be withheld if he doesn't return the company property. Let me know.

Regards,

Nidhi Pande

Dear Mr. Srini,

Please have a discussion with your management to take a police-related action against this employee. Before that, get a clear picture of his absence and seek legal advice as well.

Regards,
Arunkumar.

Hi Shrinivas,

I think now you should have understood why companies retain one salary or do some deduction as a security deposit just to avoid such situations. Now, when he is already absconding, I think the best thing you can do is to send somebody from your support staff to his place first. Alternatively, if the dues on him are very expensive, then you should go yourself and discuss it personally with him.

Regards,
Nidhi

Hi Nidhi & all,

Thanks for the suggestions. It is very expensive and costly equipment. I have given some loan as humanitarian grounds for personal problems and the other amount in advance for various reasons.

Regards,
Srini

Dear Srini,

Arunkumar is right; you have to take legal opinion and then send the legal notice to that employee. With the help of legal opinion, you can also consult with the local police. Advertise in the newspapers, including a disclaimer stating that he had done such things, and from now onwards have no relation with the company.

Regards,
Hassan

Dear Shrinivas,

Legal action has to be taken now. But before that, go and meet him personally and ask why he is doing that. Also, warn him verbally about the legal action you are going to take. Maybe then the issue can be resolved easily.

Regards,
Nidhi Pande

Hi Nidhi,

You are right. It is the action that can be taken in a humanitarian background. If that employee purposefully takes this decision, it means we should not show any sympathy.

Arunkumar.

Dear Arun,

By this instance, can't we say that it is always good to withhold some amount from employees' earnings to safeguard the company's property? I might be wrong from the employee's point of view. But do you think there is any other way to avoid such situations?

Regards,
Nidhi Pande

Legal action is the only way out. Get him a notice first (in the form of a telegram) and give him the warning in the letter itself. Don't forget to cc some legal authority. Give him some time, say a week, and take him to legal proceedings.

I would also suggest you search for his code of conduct among other employees and collect eyewitnesses in this regard, if you can.

I think the issue will certainly be resolved by dropping a telegram or registered post only and will also serve as an example to everybody.

Please add your comments to it.

Dear Arun,
Please find out that your absconding guy is in his hometown itself. I hope you have supporting documents about the loans given to him. Please complain to the police immediately.

Another option, though a bit drastic, is to go to his home along with your subordinates, speak to his parents and wife, and inform them of the grave consequences he will face for failing to return the company assets.

Regards,
Madhu