Work laptop stolen, boss is making me pay for replacement

[Anonymous]

It's not your auto insurance that pays, it's your renter/homeowner policy. Think long and hard as to whether it makes sense to file a claim...it could cause a significant raise in your premium.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work in a place where you would be fired for not securing company property or confidential data. Be happy you're only out $1k.

THIS!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was made to take an NIH online course (I don't work at nih) that stated that if I'm planning on leaving my laptop in the car unattended, it has to be placed in the trunk before leaving home/work and can't be placed in trunk upon my arrival to a non-home non-work location. So, that's even more strict... But, truly, I think you are responsible since you left it visible. It's pretty much common sense to secure valuables in your car. Would you ever leave your handbag visible?

Having a dumb moment, 'coz I don't understand this. Why the distinction?

- Curious in MD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not your auto insurance that pays, it's your renter/homeowner policy. Think long and hard as to whether it makes sense to file a claim...it could cause a significant raise in your premium.

This. It is absolutely not worth filing a homeowners insurance claim for $1000.

[Anonymous]

1k? That seems high. Most work PCs are crappy Dells.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bottom line; employers can pretty much do whatever they want. So, sure, you have to pay for it.

My employer makes us buy the laptop, buy the smartphone, pay the data plan and they don't pay for us to drive to our client sites. Why? Because they can do whatever they want.

Sounds like your job sucks.

But I'm grossing almost $50k! Yes, it sucks but being unemployed sucks even more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was made to take an NIH online course (I don't work at nih) that stated that if I'm planning on leaving my laptop in the car unattended, it has to be placed in the trunk before leaving home/work and can't be placed in trunk upon my arrival to a non-home non-work location. So, that's even more strict... But, truly, I think you are responsible since you left it visible. It's pretty much common sense to secure valuables in your car. Would you ever leave your handbag visible?

Having a dumb moment, 'coz I don't understand this. Why the distinction?

- Curious in MD

The idea is that you put the laptop in the trunk PRIOR to getting to your destination. Otherwise, anyone watching you as you park can see that you put something valuable in the trunk.

[Anonymous]

Why on earth did you leave visible electronics in the car?
This is your fault, and you should pay for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Why on earth did you leave visible electronics in the car?
This is your fault, and you should pay for it.

Whether you should pay for it because you were dumb and feel guilty, and whether your employer can require you to pay for it as part of your job, are two different issues.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it's your fault. Why on earth would you leave a laptop visible in your car? That's just stupid. I'm amazed at how trusting people are. There are thrives everywhere just waiting for an opportunity to steal. I'm talking to you ladies who leave their wallets exposed in the grocery store shopping cart.

[Anonymous]

You were careless with it because you left the laptop case visible. You were asking for it.

We had one girl in our office who got her car broken into several times. She left her purse visible the first time. Then it was a work laptop. Then it was her laptop. It's like she never learned.

[Anonymous]

I'm confused OP as to why you had to start a thread on this when CLEARLY you were at fault. You should pay and I'm sure you've learned your lesson.

[Anonymous]

No, it's a business expense. Your company should pay. If you can't be trusted with a laptop, then your company shouldn't give you one, but it's a foreseeable business expense that a laptop might be lost or stolen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, it's a business expense. Your company should pay. If you can't be trusted with a laptop, then your company shouldn't give you one, but it's a foreseeable business expense that a laptop might be lost or stolen.

Not true. As an employee you are required to take reasonable precautions to ensure the equipment is not lost or damaged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bottom line; employers can pretty much do whatever they want. So, sure, you have to pay for it.

My employer makes us buy the laptop, buy the smartphone, pay the data plan and they don't pay for us to drive to our client sites. Why? Because they can do whatever they want.

And you can do whatever you want and find a new employer if this doesn't suit you.