When leaving a firm, are you entitled to take drawings or reports with you?

• A. You may take drawings with you.
• B. Drawings belong to the firm; you may not take them without permission.
• C. You always own the rights to your work.
• D. A departing employee may take copies of all work if it's non-confidential.

Answer: (B)

In professional practice, the firm generally owns the work product you create while employed—drawings, reports, analyses, and similar materials are produced to fulfill client and project needs and are treated as the employer’s property. That’s why you aren’t entitled to take those items when you leave unless you have explicit permission from the firm. Taking them without consent could violate copyright and confidentiality obligations and disrupt client relationships and project continuity. If you need to leave with any materials, you’d typically have to obtain formal permission, and at most you might be allowed personal copies or non-confidential excerpts only if the firm approves.