What happened:
Back in the day when laptops were more expensive (around $4,500), one of our NYC-based reps found himself in a cash crunch. With a house closing just days away, he took an “unconventional” step: he pawned a company-owned laptop for some quick cash.
How we found out:
The pawn shop checked the laptop’s serial number and traced it back to the NYPD’s stolen inventory list. Turns out, our company’s IT department had reported a missing machine a month prior. Fortunately, the situation was resolved quickly but it opened our eyes to an important practice we sometimes overlook.
Lesson learned:
Tagging and tracking company assets should be a part of employee onboarding. Asset tracking not only reduces loss but also adds accountability and peace of mind—for both employees and employers. Most HRIS systems have the flexibility to configure asset tracking during onboarding, keeping an accurate record of assigned equipment across an employee’s journey. If your organization hasn’t explored this yet, talk with your HR rep to see what’s possible. It’s one of those little things that can make a difference.
What we did:
No big surprise here: we invited the employee to explore other career opportunities outside of our company (aka, he was fired).
Can’t make it up.
