As Business Owners we are “hit” with something that we did not or could not see coming. A piece of equipment breaks, a key employee is in an accident and gone for an extended period of time, etc. Many times this also applies to employee theft: We simply did not see it coming.
However, there is a difference with employee theft and the first two examples. Employee theft is usually preceded by warning signals. Many Business Owners and Managers simply do not know what they are or do not see the forest for the trees.
When you look at this list, keep something in mind. One of these things, all by themselves probably mean nothing but in my 35 years of dealing personally with 2300+ employee theft investigations, I have found that most of the time two or more of these factors are present in enough time that a responsible party should have seen the warning signals.
Personal behavior is the key area to watch:
1.Double talk or inconsistencies by an employee who is explaining discrepancies or “errors”.
2.Borrowing, particularly from loan sharks, but also habitual borrowing of any kind.
3.Symptoms of a drug user.
4.Admission of theft from prior employer.
5.Violent temper or other unpleasant behavior, which tends to discourage people from asking questions.
6.Expensive habits such as heavy drinking, drugs, extra-marital affairs.
7.Having more money or spending more than earnings could support:
– Flashes big roll of money
– Buys expensive items–jewelry, car, house, boat
– Has expensive hobby
– Always picks up check at restaurant
– Dresses expensively
8.Disgruntled, dislikes boss or company and complains about being underpaid or overworked.
9.Heavy gambling on horses, cards, numbers, sports, etc.
10.Abnormal fear of, or antagonism toward, security or management personnel.
11.Possession of knife, gun or other weapon.
12.Terrorization of one employee by another.
13.Advocating violence as a way to resolve routine problems.
14.Never takes time off or vacation, comes in during vacation or day off.
15.Concealed family relationships among associates.
16.Chronic employee conversations that cease when management approaches.
17.Employees who never make purchases.
18.Employees who are “wary” of members of management.
19.Constant complainers.
Too often, signals pointing to internal theft, even when noticed, are mistakenly ascribed to chance, error, coincidence, or some other benign circumstance…and the signals are ignored.
Remember, a thief, like a magician, depends on you misinterpreting the obvious…or on his or her ability to confuse you. Don’t be deceived, distracted or misled.
