Taking headphones when quitting job

Question

I have put in my notice to my current employer and am about to start new employment pretty soon (I am in the IT field). I was given a tee shirt, a coffee mug, some stationery items, and a pair of Bluetooth headphones when I joined. The BT Headphones, believe it or not, are amazing quality. They do not seem to be expensive or anything, they just have excellent sound quality.

When I leave this job, is it acceptable for me to take those headphones with me? If I'd worn that shirt, I obviously wouldn't leave it here for them to give to the next person. I've been drinking coffee out of that coffee mug too, but I really don't want the mug and I am sure they are probably just going to either wash it or throw it in the trash (coffee mug has company logo and it is starting to wear off, so it won't look new enough for a new employee). So, are headphones as disposable as a tee shirt or a coffee mug?

Answer 1

As a rule of thumb: If it's unrelated to your role, it is a gift

The other answers give you the clear baseline "won't ever get you in trouble" answer; if you feel you cannot make the distinction, please do not hesitate to simply follow their advice and ask somebody.

However - it's unlikely this is something you need to worry about. Employers (especially medium-large businesses) often give small presents when you start, to help you feel welcome and part of the company.

The key thing to determine is: Is this item equipment, or a gift

Equipment, obviously, needs returned (your PC, your keyboard, desk, chair). Gifts, were given for your sole use, and you can pretty-universally keep.

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To help decide, asking yourself these questions can give you a good rule of thumb to work by:

• Do I or others use this to achieve our role's tasks and responsibilities? (Not a gift)

• Was the item set up for me by IT, or in any other way set up as part of my role? (Not a gift)

• Am I expected to have this item with me in the office, regularly? (Not a gift)

• Did I ever have to request this item, or ask for it? (Not a gift)

• Was the item given to me along with other personal items (t-shirts, stickers, chocolate)? (Likely is a gift)

• Is the item heavily branded (with the company logo)/looks like consumer merchandise? (Likely a gift)

• Is the item perishable (chocolate, wine, etc.)? (Likely a gift)

• Would I report it, if it went missing or was damaged? (If not; it's likely a gift)

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Of course, others have reiterated that asking will ensure you are extremely safe. But in general - it's not uncommon to be given gifts by your workplace, especially when joining. These items are not expected to be returned, and nobody will be checking that you left it.

Answer 2

I run the tech department at my company. We work in broadcast media, and we issue each employee headphones when they start, and replace them as needed.

We tell employees to take them when they leave on good terms, and we throw them away if they do not.

Because if they've been rubbing on your skin for months / years, who in their right minds would want to give them to someone else?

Now, that's the "Makes Sense" answer. If you have overly petty/possessive office supply coordinators, it may be better to just give them back. However, if I were given "used" headphones when I took a job, I'd decline them.

Answer 3

What you could do to make it less stingy, is inquire about the make and model of the headphones. "Boss, this headset is really good, do you know which brand they are, so I can get a set for myself?". Most likely he'll say "just keep them". If not, you're probably better off leaving them. Should there be any trouble after keeping them, you can refer to getting the boss' permission.

Answer 4

Ask your employer or supervisor.

Different companies have different policies regarding equipment and supplies. At some organizations, the headphones are considered a free perk of the job. At others they may be considered company property on loan to the employees.

If there's a chance that taking the headphones without permission will count as theft of office property, then you may face legal consequences (and possibly social consequences of being "that guy who steals office supplies"). Best to play it safe, and ask your boss about this policy before you quit.

Answer 5

The best option is to ask your boss.

However, in addition to that, in two IT companies where I have been working, the items that were expected to be returned were tracked. There was a special intranet web page where I could look up which equipment has been assigned to me; it was assumed that I have some kind of responsibility for it and that I will have to return it if I leave.

You can check whether your company has a similar system. It can be online (i.e. on intranet web pages), or offline (you go to equipment guys and ask what equipment is listed on you). If the headphones are not there, I would assume them to be kind of 'use-once' and nobody would check whether you returned them.

Answer 6

Personally - this sounds acceptable.

In-ear headphones are not really hygienic to pass on to someone else.

Certainly if they're not provided as equipment to work (eg telephone headset in a call centre) then they are probably just freebies you get when joining.

What you could do (instead of outright asking your boss about them), if you are just entering your notice period, is ask for a list of equipment they want you to return. That way you know exactly what you need to give back and what you can keep, without specifically mentioning the headphones. (You'll also see if there's anything unexpected on there).