How Can We Securely Retrieve Laptops After Offboarding Employees?

This really falls on HR more than IT. We can set things up to track devices, but when it comes to someone outright taking a laptop, that's a different story. You might want to enforce a policy that reminds employees they’re responsible for returning equipment on their last day.

You might consider signing out equipment with a contract for new hires stating they must return everything upon leaving. Pair that with a solid asset management system to help keep track of everything. It'll make it easier for HR to follow up if something goes missing.

I'd recommend an agreement where the final paycheck is held until all company properties are returned. Still, this isn't just about tech; it's primarily an HR issue. They need to take the lead here.

It's all about preventing access post-employment; once someone is offboarded, make sure to disable their accounts and enroll devices in MDM to lock them down. If they're not returned, it's a matter for HR and possibly legal.

I dealt with this by issuing a standardized letter to former employees if devices aren't returned. HR sends this along with a prepaid box for easy returns. If that doesn't work, we have HR follow up with the necessary legal actions to make recovery happen.