Retail loss prevention experts agree, and endless studies and industry surveys confirm, that a large portion of shrink – unexplained inventory losses – as well as cash shortages are caused by employee theft.
The question retailers suffering from employee theft might ask themselves is this: Did I employ a thief or did my policies and procedures encourage a formerly honest person to steal?
An employer can’t know what is in the mind of a potential employee. But he is able to check into the employee’s past to determine if there is a history of involvement in property crimes like theft, or crimes of violence such as assault and/or battery through a thorough background investigation. The past of an applicant can be revealed by a criminal history check in the jurisdiction where the applicant lives through an examination of public records relating to arrests, convictions, and sentences handed down by the local courts. Although a past record is not an absolute indicator of future behavior, it can be argued that a person with several arrests for similar crimes can be expected to revert to that behavior at some time.
A person’s history of drug or alcohol abuse might also be revealed and considered.
If your employees have access to your property and cash, or have contact with the public, a background investigation can reduce your losses as well as your liability for an employee’s actions.
It makes sense to start with an honest employee.
For more information, go to: Background Screening
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