Post Employment Harassment

[the_meh]

What is the name of your state? North Carolina

I quit a job four weeks ago and Friday (10/5) received a letter from my previous employer stating that I had a book in my possession that was the property of the office and to return it or pay the enclosed invoice from the supplier for $194. This book was returned to the office prior to my departure and is not currently in my possession.

My employer did not amicably accept my resignation and I feel this is going to be the first in a stream of petty, harassing actions. I have looked around the net for something definitive I can cite (Employment Law, Recovery of Goods statement, etc) but can only find Employer Termination Checklists stating to collect all company-owned goods before employee departure. Is there anything more substantial that I can refer to?

Thanks in advance for the assistance.

 

[Betty]

How & to whom did you return the book prior to your departure? If they don't have it, I don't know why they waited 4 wks. to ask for it. They should have asked for everything you had of theirs prior to your leaving.

 

[the_meh]

How & to whom did you return the book prior to your departure? If they don't have it, I don't know why they waited 4 wks. to ask for it. They should have asked for everything you had of theirs prior to your leaving.

The book was brought home to review on a few occasions for office business and returned. It was not returned *to* anyone. It was left in a spare office with other manuals and similar materials.

The book in question was sent by a small business materials oriented publisher (the old "review our book for x days free, if you don't like it, just return it with no obligation" song and dance). They probably received an invoice for it.

All materials (laptop, company owned "stuff", passwords, etc) were left in my office or returned directly to the Doctor (the only one "over me" in my role as office administrator). And that is sort of my point, I feel that I will receive notification of every misplaced material from here on out. I was hoping to be pointed to some sort of "statute of limitations" surrounding this sort of thing.

 

[fairisfair]

The book was brought home to review on a few occasions for office business and returned. It was not returned *to* anyone. It was left in a spare office with other manuals and similar materials.

The book in question was sent by a small business materials oriented publisher (the old "review our book for x days free, if you don't like it, just return it with no obligation" song and dance). They probably received an invoice for it.

All materials (laptop, company owned "stuff", passwords, etc) were left in my office or returned directly to the Doctor (the only one "over me" in my role as office administrator). And that is sort of my point, I feel that I will receive notification of every misplaced material from here on out. I was hoping to be pointed to some sort of "statute of limitations" surrounding this sort of thing.

how about just pointing out the fact that you returned the book before your departure.

end of story.

 

[the_meh]

If they don't have it, I don't know why they waited 4 wks. to ask for it.

I think it can best be described as "sour grapes". I went to work for a well-known competitor and was told by the Doctor while working out my notice that he was surprised they hired me (he didn't think I was their caliber of employee -- yet several times before my decision to leave, I was told that he wouldn't be able to keep going if I ever left. He'd have to shut the practice down.). I witnessed his petty behavior early on in my role as we worked through removing a partner via a buyout. That too was not a pretty breakup. I just sense that it will be one thing after another with him (why I went the "harassment" route, even though it might not be thought of as traditional harassment).

 

[eerelations]

Not only is it not "traditional" harassment, it's not illegal harassment either. In fact, it isn't harassment at all! I'd classify sending you this note as annoying at most - but never harassment.

As someone else said, tell them where you left the book, and then get over it.

 

[the_meh]

Not only is it not "traditional" harassment, it's not illegal harassment either. In fact, it isn't harassment at all! I'd classify sending you this note as annoying at most - but never harassment.

Agreed. After reading over some people's experiences in this forum (and other related ones) I should count myself very lucky. Thank you all for your time.

 

[Beth3]

Aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself? All that's occurred is that they inquired about the book and you told them you'd returned it before you left. Chances are that will be the end of it.