Employee Theft is No Big Deal

Over a span of almost ten years in the loss prevention field, I have been involved with numerous employee theft investigations.  Unlike shoplifting cases, most companies want to know why an employee would turn to theft.  I would sit down on average 30-40 times per year with numerous associates asking just that question.  I will never forget the first time I heard an employee say, “the company has so much money, so I thought it was no big deal”.

No big deal??  I was taken aback by this very statement.  How can an associate with whom I’ve engaged numerous times feel internal theft was no big deal?  I had followed company programs, showed the standard employee theft investigation video during orientation, engaged in multiple conversations about theft, etc.  By the conclusion of the interview, we discussed at length the impact internal theft has, not only on the company, but on the individual stores and their employees.  They seemed to understand, but it was a huge wakeup call for me and my approach to the topic of employee theft.

Talking to associates about internal theft can be difficult and uncomfortable.  I’ve seen a drastic difference in companies that drug screen and run full background checks pre-hire vs. companies that do not.  While it may seem aggressive and costly, taking such a drastic approach on preventing employee theft prior to employment, gives associates a different mindset while on the job.  It’s been my experience that approaching the subject of internal theft and how employee theft investigations are conducted seems to be a lot easier after such intense screenings.  Showing them where cameras are located will act as a visual deterrent, not push them into spots where there is no coverage.  I am a firm believer that companies who hit the topic hard and aggressive prior to employment and keep the conversations and visual deterrence present to combat employee theft.

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