Some time before I noticed that USB port of my company's laptop was damaged & I requested my IT department to replace it.
My IT team responded that it is a physical damage & it might have happened during plugging/removing the USB. As this is a physical damage, replacement cost has to be bourned by employee. I paid the amount and got it replaced but I have few doubts in my mind.
1) if laptop is been issued to me by company then its a company's asset & company should bear all the cost related to it. We don't charge a worker if he breaks the tool while working on machine, do we?
2) Company had issued me used laptop & I'm not sure if damage was already there as it is difficult to understand. But I had signed the paper stating 'Company has issued me a laptop in good condition'. This paper is mandatory to sign and I am not Computer Engineer to understand if it is having hardware issues. How come company can ask non expert employee to sign such declaration?
3) My company policy says if my laptop is stolen or gets damaged in accident ( While on/off job or during official/personal travel) then all or part of the cost will be recovered from employee. Does company law allow this?
Please advise
1My IT team responded that it is a physical damage & it might have happened during plugging/removing the USB. As this is a physical damage, replacement cost has to be bourned by employee. I paid the amount and got it replaced but I have few doubts in my mind.
1) if laptop is been issued to me by company then its a company's asset & company should bear all the cost related to it. We don't charge a worker if he breaks the tool while working on machine, do we?
2) Company had issued me used laptop & I'm not sure if damage was already there as it is difficult to understand. But I had signed the paper stating 'Company has issued me a laptop in good condition'. This paper is mandatory to sign and I am not Computer Engineer to understand if it is having hardware issues. How come company can ask non expert employee to sign such declaration?
3) My company policy says if my laptop is stolen or gets damaged in accident ( While on/off job or during official/personal travel) then all or part of the cost will be recovered from employee. Does company law allow this?
Please advise
Dear Forever
Welcome to CiteHR !!!
You have come to just the right place for your query; as at CiteHR we are interested in, among other HR matters; employee-employer relationships and work-life - every aspect of it !!
Coming to your query; you have the right to feel upset on being asked to pay the replacement cost of a new component, whereas the equipment (laptop) must have been old and used.
However, there are certain things in life and work that can be avoided; and certain things that can not. Your company has been much too stringent and stingy; whereas it could have been more employee-friendly and generous.
Having said that, I shall try to address your issues; one by one :
1. You are right that - "We don't charge a worker if he breaks the tool while working on machine, do we?". However, you must note that such breakages need to be through wear-and-tear; and should not be WILFUL. There is a certain "life" of a tool beyond which it is replaced, or no question asked if it breaks or gets unusable.
2. I concede that you have a valid point here. The company should ask employees to sign the paper with the remarks - "...old laptop in working condition..."; also it should list out the damages like, corner chipped; USB port slightly damaged; keyboard not working perfectly, tear in laptop-carry case etc etc.
3. In case a laptop is stolen or damaged accidentally then also some companies recover a PART of the cost which is not covered 100% by the Insurance. They may recover full cost if insurance is not paid to them; or in case of theft there is no police report; or if it is ascertained that the loss is due to CARELESSNESS on the part of the employee.
Hope the above, helps in resolving your queries and dilemma and makes you feel better.
Stay tuned, by logging in; and you may receive some more opinions and views of our members who may be eager to contribute and help.
Warm regards.
From India, Delhi
Welcome to CiteHR !!!
You have come to just the right place for your query; as at CiteHR we are interested in, among other HR matters; employee-employer relationships and work-life - every aspect of it !!
Coming to your query; you have the right to feel upset on being asked to pay the replacement cost of a new component, whereas the equipment (laptop) must have been old and used.
However, there are certain things in life and work that can be avoided; and certain things that can not. Your company has been much too stringent and stingy; whereas it could have been more employee-friendly and generous.
Having said that, I shall try to address your issues; one by one :
1. You are right that - "We don't charge a worker if he breaks the tool while working on machine, do we?". However, you must note that such breakages need to be through wear-and-tear; and should not be WILFUL. There is a certain "life" of a tool beyond which it is replaced, or no question asked if it breaks or gets unusable.
2. I concede that you have a valid point here. The company should ask employees to sign the paper with the remarks - "...old laptop in working condition..."; also it should list out the damages like, corner chipped; USB port slightly damaged; keyboard not working perfectly, tear in laptop-carry case etc etc.
3. In case a laptop is stolen or damaged accidentally then also some companies recover a PART of the cost which is not covered 100% by the Insurance. They may recover full cost if insurance is not paid to them; or in case of theft there is no police report; or if it is ascertained that the loss is due to CARELESSNESS on the part of the employee.
Hope the above, helps in resolving your queries and dilemma and makes you feel better.
Stay tuned, by logging in; and you may receive some more opinions and views of our members who may be eager to contribute and help.
Warm regards.
From India, Delhi
Yes, I agree with you & in same way I got it resolved.
At a same time, recovering the cost from employee can become a big issue when a costlier part like hard disk, battery or even motherboard gets damaged. For a fresh graduate engineer average salary will be 15000- 20000 INR and hard disk will cost 10,000 & there is no way do define if HDD is damaged due to mis-handling or due to manufacturing error. In this case employee will be left to the mercy of company management only....
At a same time, recovering the cost from employee can become a big issue when a costlier part like hard disk, battery or even motherboard gets damaged. For a fresh graduate engineer average salary will be 15000- 20000 INR and hard disk will cost 10,000 & there is no way do define if HDD is damaged due to mis-handling or due to manufacturing error. In this case employee will be left to the mercy of company management only....
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