Maintain an asset inventory for each работник/подрядчик from day one. Track:

• Asset tag / serial number for all hardware
• Date issued and condition at issuance
• Assigned user and department
• Value (for conversion убытки if not returned)
• Software licenses tied to specific devices or users

When an работник departs, cross-reference this inventory in your требование to show exactly what's missing.

Even if the работник returns the physical hardware, конфиденциальный data may still exist in multiple locations:

Include a certification template in your требование requiring the работник to sign and return:

CERTIFICATION OF RETURN AND DELETION

I, [Работник Name], hereby certify under штраф of perjury that:

1. I have returned all Company property, including all hardware, documents, access credentials, and materials listed in Exhibit A;
2. I have deleted all Company конфиденциальный information, documents, files, and data from my personal devices, including computers, phones, tablets, USB drives, and external hard drives;
3. I have deleted all Company emails, attachments, and data from my personal email accounts (including [list specific accounts if known]);
4. I have deleted all Company data from my personal cloud storage accounts, including Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud, OneDrive, and any other cloud services;
5. I have not retained any copies, backups, or derivatives of Company конфиденциальный information in any form or location;
6. I have not disclosed any Company конфиденциальный information to third parties, including my new работодатель;
7. I will not access any Company systems, accounts, or data after the date of this certification.

Signed: _________________________
Date: _________________________

If the работник used a personal device for work under a BYOD policy, you face additional challenges:

There's a tension between demanding deletion and preserving доказательства for судебный процесс:

• If судебный процесс is NOT anticipated: Demand immediate deletion and certification to minimize ongoing exposure
• If судебный процесс IS anticipated: Отправить a preservation notice prohibiting deletion, alteration, or destruction of data, then seek суд-ordered forensic imaging to verify what was taken

Preservation notice language:

You are hereby instructed to preserve all доказательства related to your access, use, and retention of [Company]'s конфиденциальный information and property, including:

• All devices (computers, phones, tablets, USB drives) that may contain Company data;
• All emails, text messages, and electronic communications;
• All cloud storage accounts and file-sharing services;
• All documents, files, and data in any format.

Do not delete, alter, or destroy any of these materials. Failure to preserve доказательства may result in sanctions, including adverse inference instructions and spoliation штрафы.

1. Reference to contractual/policy obligations: Cite specific provisions requiring return of property
2. Itemized list of property: Be specific—serial numbers, asset tags, descriptions
3. Return logistics: Where to send, how to ship, who to contact, prepaid shipping label (if applicable)
4. Deadline: Typically 5–10 рабочих дней
5. Certification requirement: Include certification of deletion template to be signed and returned
6. Consequences of non-соблюдение: Conversion требование, trade secret misappropriation, cost взыскание, адвокатs' fees

Dear [Former Работник/Подрядчик]:

As you are aware, your employment with [Company] ended on [date]. в соответствии с [Трудовое Право Agreement / Работник Handbook / IT Policy] Section [X], you обязаны return all Company property immediately upon расторжение.

Our records indicate that you have not yet returned the following items:

Item	Описание / Serial Number	Value
Laptop	MacBook Pro 16", Serial: C02X12345678	$2,800
iPhone	iPhone 14 Pro, IMEI: 123456789012345	$1,200
Access badge	Badge #4521	$50
Итого Value:		$4,050

ТРЕБОВАНИЕS:

1. Return all items listed above to [Company Address, Attn: [Контакт Name]] by [specific date, typically 10 days from letter];
2. Complete and return the attached Certification of Return and Deletion, confirming that you have deleted all Company data from personal devices and cloud storage; and
3. Контакт [IT Контакт Name] at [email/phone] to arrange return logistics. We will provide a prepaid shipping label upon request.

CONSEQUENCES OF NON-COMPLIANCE:

If you fail to return the property by the deadline, [Company] will pursue all available legal remedies, including:

• A требование for conversion and взыскание of the fair market value of unreturned property ($[total value]);
• Trade secret misappropriation claims for retained конфиденциальный data;
• Withholding of final paycheck [if permitted by state law] to offset the value of unreturned property;
• Адвокатs' fees and costs; and
• Referral to law enforcement if appropriate.

Please contact me immediately if you have any questions.

С уважением,

[Sender Name / HR Director / Адвокат]

When requesting return or forensic imaging of devices, be mindful of privacy concerns:

If судебный процесс is likely and you need to verify data deletion:

1. Propose neutral third-party forensic examiner: Mutually agreed upon expert who will image the device and apply search terms/filters
2. Define search scope: Limit to company-related data (file names, email addresses, specific terms)
3. Filter out personal data: Protocol for excluding personal emails, photos, medical records, адвокат-client communications
4. Privilege log: Работник can требование privilege over адвокат communications or other protected materials
5. Cost sharing: Negotiate who pays for forensic imaging (often split or работодатель bears cost)

To verify your соблюдение with the return and deletion obligations, we propose the following protocol:

1. You will deliver the laptop to [Neutral Forensic Firm], a mutually agreed-upon third-party forensic examiner;
2. The examiner will create a forensic image of the device and search for Company-related data using the following search terms: [list specific terms, file extensions, email domains];
3. The examiner will filter out personal data unrelated to [Company] business, including personal emails (non-Company domains), personal photos, and privileged адвокат communications;
4. The examiner will provide a report to [Company] identifying any Company data found on the device, without disclosing your personal information;
5. [Company] will bear the cost of the forensic examination.

This protocol protects your privacy while allowing us to verify соблюдение with your contractual obligations.

If you have remote wipe capabilities (via MDM or "Find My" features), consider these factors:

I assist companies in recovering property and конфиденциальный data from former работникs and подрядчикs. I draft требованиеs, coordinate forensic imaging, negotiate return protocols, and pursue судебный процесс for conversion and trade secret misappropriation when necessary.

• Property return требованиеs: Comprehensive letters with itemized inventory, clear deadlines, and certification requirements
• Data deletion certification protocols: Draft certification templates and follow-up procedures
• Forensic imaging coordination: Negotiate neutral third-party imaging protocols that balance preservation and privacy
• Preservation notices: Prevent spoliation when судебный процесс is anticipated
• Conversion and trade secret судебный процесс: Pursue claims for unreturned property and retained конфиденциальный data
• Policy review and drafting: Strengthen your IT policies, acceptable use policies, and exit procedures to prevent future disputes

1. Asset inventory review: I work with your IT and HR teams to create a complete inventory of what should be returned.
2. Tailored требованиеs: I draft letters calibrated to the relationship—cooperative for valued ex-работникs, aggressive for bad actors.
3. Privacy-conscious protocols: I propose forensic imaging and verification procedures that protect работник privacy while securing ваши права.
4. Rapid escalation readiness: If the работник ignores the demand, I'm prepared to file for injunctive relief and pursue conversion/misappropriation claims quickly.
5. Policy improvement: I identify gaps in your current policies and help you implement stronger property return and exit procedures to prevent future issues.