Alucid

A comprehensive IT offboarding checklist designed to ensure a smooth and secure transition.

Use this checklist to stay compliant with federal and state laws when managing unreturned company property during employee offboarding.

Remote work has made managing company assets more complex—especially when employees leave and don’t return their IT equipment.

When an employee leaves without returning company equipment — like a laptop, monitor, or phone — it’s tempting to withhold their final paycheck until it’s returned. But is that legal?

It’s a common and frustrating situation: an employee leaves your company, and the laptop, monitor, or phone you issued never comes back. Naturally, you might wonder — can we hold their final paycheck until they return the equipment?

Because your tech deserves more than a flimsy box and a prayer.

If you’re leaving a job and realize that company equipment you were issued—like a laptop, phone, or tools—is lost or damaged, you might be wondering: “Can my employer take that out of my final paycheck?”

If your employer is withholding your final paycheck because you didn’t return company property—like a laptop, phone, or keys—you may be wondering: Can they really do that?

Use this checklist to ensure a smooth offboarding process and avoid delays with your final paycheck.

It’s a question many employees ask when leaving a job— “Can they hold my last paycheck if I haven’t returned my laptop, phone or other gear?”

If done improperly, it can expose your business to serious legal and financial consequences.

When it comes to protecting your company’s assets, documentation is everything.

Before touching that final paycheck, make sure you’ve taken these essential steps.

Under federal law, employers can deduct the full cost of unreturned company equipment from an employee’s paycheck except . . . .

Yes — there are important differences!

Many states have their own laws that require a signed, written agreement from the employee authorizing the deduction ahead of time.

Several major companies have announced significant layoffs and return-to-office mandates, reflecting ongoing shifts in the global workforce landscape.

In March 2025, U.S. layoffs surged by 60% compared to February,

As Q2 of 2025 kicks off, a clear trend continues: restructuring is in full swing

Many public-sector employees and contractors could soon find themselves navigating an unexpected offboarding process.