Remote Work

Worst case, if you are under a region where they can, they can deduct the cost of the equipment from your last paycheck. But a lot of places don’t allow companies to do this to employees and under those circumstances, the worst that could happen is them trying to go after you in court for the equipment’s cost after sending you your full paycheck. Most companies won’t go that far and will just remotely try to wipe the device or brick it so it can’t be used and/or data can’t be recovered from it. Though some don’t even go that far and just accept the loss.

Other possibility is if there is sensitive information on the equipment, whether it be stuff like US HIPAA covered data or company secrets. They could get law enforcement involved under some circumstances or may go the extra mile to get a lawsuit against you until you comply.

It’s really not your duty to pay to send it back, especially not show up in person to an office to give it to them. That’s ridiculous they even have that policy, especially what with disgruntled employees who might become violent. Such a stupid, shortsighted decision on their part to have that policy that will lead to future headaches, if not a tragedy with loss of life from some psycho.

They should be sending you a shipping label and box to send back the stuff. All paid for by them. I wouldn’t trust them to pay you back if you paid to send it to them. In this day and age, they should have the capability to do this on their own like my job does to get their shit back, or at least to remotely wipe the devices.