Final answer:
The manager should consult with the legal and/or human resources department and check company policies around employment and termination procedures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The manager should respond by consulting with the legal and/or human resources department and checking company policies around employment and termination procedures (option D). This ensures that the manager follows appropriate protocols and obtains guidance from relevant departments to handle the situation. In response to Ann's request for retrieving personal photos from a company-issued laptop, the manager's best course of action would be to consult with the legal and/or human resources department and check the company's policies around employment and termination procedures. It is essential to follow proper channels to ensure that any actions taken are in compliance with company policy and do not compromise data security or privacy regulations. If company policies allow, the manager can then proceed to determine if the data still exists by checking with the IT department to see if the laptop has been wiped or if there are recent backups available that might contain Ann's personal photos.