Money Moral Dilemma: Should I sell the books I got for free from my old job?

Thrugelmir

Give them to a Charity shop. Rather than have an MSE "moral dilemma" . Help your local hospice which has probably struggled with fund raising throughout the pandemic. 

REJP

Easy answer is ask if they are to be returned.  There may have been a condition in your contract that they were not to be sold.

MalMonroe

I'd sell them, if I could. Giving them to a charity shop, if they are specialised books, will be a waste of time because nobody wants to buy that kind of book from charities.

Your ex-employer probably received some kind of tax (or other) break for giving books to employees, who knows?

MsRightAboutEverything

Listrn to your wife's advice. Contact you former employer and offer to return them. They will probably say that the books are yours to do what you want with. If that's the case, rather than sell them, why not donate them to a library, if they will take them, or freecycle them, rather than flog them for a quick profit?

MsRightAboutEverything

MsRightAboutEverything said:

Listrn to your wife's advice. Contact you former employer and offer to return them. They will probably say that the books are yours to do what you want with. If that's the case, rather than sell them, why not donate them to a library, if they will take them, or freecycle them, rather than flog them for a quick profit?

Or should I say, "listen" to your wife! #typo 🤦‍♀️

Robinson2s

1. Check your contract about returning company property. You couldn’t keep a laptop for instance. Just because you got something through employment does mean it’s yours. It’s not a gift. 
2. Or Email hr 

Most people say sell but if the company found out , you could have problems as it’s not your property. 

A quick check saves allot of embarrassment 

Paje

Have they asked for them back when you left? If no then sell them. 

anotheruser

thedr said:

Don’t sell them if you’ve just left your job. But don’t ask them if they want them back. Give it a year then, if they haven’t been asked for, sell them. 

This.
I have huge amounts of stuff from previous jobs.  Most will wait over 10, maybe even 20 years before I consider selling.
None of it was expected back over and above what I already returned.

Poorexgirlfriend192

Do the right thing and check with your previous employer first, then at least your conscious is clear. If they’re not expecting them back get them to email confirmation so it’s in writing. If you’re unable to sell them then donate them to a book shop or library.

tain

honestcove said:

Are you sure you received a free copy? Such awards would normally be taxed by the employer as employee benefits.

The cost of materials to produce the book is pennies, so wouldn't be taxed. You don't pay tax for the resell value, just the cost to the company.