Things You’d like to take with you that you shouldn’t when you Resign
We all know the things that we can take when we leave a company. Anything that you bought and brought with you can be and should be carried back out when you leave. You can take your memories, gifts, and ways to keep in contact with friends that want to continue to stay in touch. Legally, you also take anything that you find in the dumpster on the way out. You are allowed to take your spouse if he or she wants to come and if they work there. That's about all you can take without risking handcuffs.
Proprietary information has to be left behind. If you wrote training manuals, computer programs, or developed new techniques for production, these are company property. You must not only leave them behind, but you cannot reproduce them from memory at the next job. This is especially true if they are patented, have copyrights, or have become registered trademarks.
Taking secretaries and other employees is considered not only bad ethically, but in some instances can be considered an illegal raid of a competitor's talent pool. Obviously, all office furniture and equipment are off-limits. Even the stapler has to stay behind. You may persuade them to sell you your desk or chair, but most likely they won't. Stealing them is considered in bad taste.
Most companies won't prosecute petty theft by departing employees, but it will kill your chances of future rehire. They will generally make a note of it on your permanent records. The company car, credit card, and computer equipment, and certain types of information are not considered petty. You will be pursued and will probably lose your new job because of it.
