Employee Theft for Employers

Employers – do your employees know that if they’re guilty of employee theft it can:

•  Mean immediate termination from employment?
• Result in an arrest and criminal conviction that stays on their record forever?
• Cause them to have to pay heavy fines and restitution?
• Mean time in jail?
• Cause them to have to report to a probation officer?
• Cause them embarrassment to their friends, family, and co-workers?
• Disqualify them from obtaining quality employment?
• Harm their reputation and standing in the community?
• Destroy trusting relationships with others?
• Bar them from obtaining certain professional licenses?
• Severely limit their future opportunities?

Internal theft is a fact of business life that will not go away; however, employers should be certain that the consequences of employee theft are known to each and every employee from the newest clerk to the most experienced manager.

Every employee who steals realizes that there is some risk to his or her activity.  But some employees ultimately decide to take that risk, most realizing there is a possibility that they will be caught.  Being certain that employees understand the full risks can only deter all but the most desperate thief.

The occurrence of employee theft hurts all employers and their customers, but many are surprised to learn that retailers lose more to their own employees than they do to shoplifters (16.2 billion vs, 12.1 billion in 2009 according to one survey).

If you are a business owner, be sure that all employees know through training, education, and reinforcement that your company has a zero tolerance policy regarding internal theft and that anyone caught stealing or who is aware of dishonest employees will be dealt with immediately according to the company’s published policies and procedures.

Make no secret of the corporate culture regarding employee theft and consistently and strongly enforce it to protect your company’s reputation and profits.

For more information on how to stop employee theft or internal theft contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia