Internal theft is just as big a problem as shoplifting, even though many people believe that employee theft rarely occurs. I have conducted numerous employee theft investigations in locations where management believed it was just an isolated issue involving just one disgruntled employee.
During one such employee theft investigation I started looking into a customer disputing a credit card charge. This customer complaint led to the arrest and conviction of seven cashiers, one supervisor and one assistant manager. The group of employees was copying customer’s credit card information. They would then pass the information to friends who would come into the store and purchase items. The smallest information during an internal theft case can lead to a much bigger employee theft organized theft case.
Employee theft cases can cause companies to lose millions of dollars in profits, so companies need to be proactive to prevent internal theft. During the hiring process the business must explain how serious they take employee theft. I put together a program at my last employer where all employees would complete a security orientation. This orientation would show all employees’s how serious we take security at the establishment.
All business must make it be known that when an employee theft investigation is being conducted their will be severe legal consequences. If as an employee you think that stealing a candy bar is not going to harm the company financially. You are incorrect every time an item is stolen no matter what the cost it’s taking away from the company profits. If a company losses outweigh their profits it has to start cutting back. So the nickel that an employee is stealing from the company in reality you are stealing it from your own pocket. Internal theft not only affects the business, but also the employees who lose their job because the company goes out of business.
For more information on employee theft, employee theft investigation or internal contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia
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