\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. How should you handle these situations? As soon as you notice that a theft has happened, gather as much information as possible, including the time, date, what was stolen, and who was working at the time. Also, if one employee steals and no one takes action against them, others can. Before you escalate the issue, though, try these 10 tips for coping with a lazy coworker. The employee has access to sensitive information. You dont want to blame someone for stealing if theyre. As a result, many professionals never learn how to promote themselves in a healthy way. Once you've investigated and concluded that an employee has been stealing, either assets or data, take the following steps: 1. It works well to email a chart detailing exactly whos going to be responsible for what. If youre going to issue a warning, be sure to do it in writing. Video is preferred, but witnesses can also work. It would help if you also asked them what got stolen. For example, if they have access to customercredit card information. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. When your manager does indeed believe that their employees should compete with each other and propagates this as the way your organization operates, then approaching your coworker is unlikely to have much benefit. You dont want the thief to know youre on to them and steal your proof. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 327,618 times. Thanks.". If youre going to issue a warning, be sure to do it in writing. However, employers are allowed to do certain things, like pool tips. They may be reluctant to talk about theirpersonal lifeor what they did over the weekend. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If you suspect an employee is stealing, you may be wondering how to catch them. The best ideas will get developed by them or others, they will be able to move on to newer, bigger, better ideas, and eventually will be recognized as a source of ideas and innovation. Employee theft reduces the money available for other workplace expenses, including salaries. You should be suspicious if the employees financial situation changes without explanation. Its not about you but how it will benefit the company that really counts. Contact a higher authority like a district manager. Employee theft can also lead to a loss of trust. If your business has a security camera, examine the footage for evidence of stealing, like strange behavior around merchandise or registers. You should discretely ask around and see if any one else is having issues. So, do just that: walk up to the person and say, why did you pass off my idea as your own? In most cases, the person will be so taken aback that you wont have to worry about a repeat performance. Avoid going off-topic and speaking badly about your coworker's overall character or job performance. Do you have anything to say about this?. Its essential to consult with yourcompanys policiesbefore taking action. If you choose to respond, try saying: "Thank you for your opinion.". Use your personal judgement to determine whether an employee can be rehabilitated, needs to be fired, or requires a report to law enforcement. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Copy your supervisor, so he/she will know who generated the idea. And what was stolen, and who you believe is responsible. Youll see this in the various example answers below, If I saw a coworker stealing, I would report it to my direct superior as soon as I could. If I saw one of my staff do this, I would probably fire them. So its vital to take action to prevent other crimes from happening. What do I do if my boss took cash that a customer paid and had me change the invoice to zero? It's a crime. Make sure your evidence is strong. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Who oversees responsibilityand for which tasks? You want your boss to feel that she can trust you not that you're confused or uncertain about the topic at hand. For example, lets say your records show that you had 20 smartphones in stock at the start of the day and 10 in stock at the end of the day. Offer extra rewards and bonuses for outstanding work. He has been advising job seekers since 2012 to think differently in their job search and land high-paying, competitive positions. Don't confront the person accused of stealing in anger. Being privy to sensitive knowledge in the workplace can be stressful, especially when it's your duty to do something about it. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. 3 Consult your state laws before you address or fire the thief. You will then have a record of when the idea was submitted and any responses received. For instance, in todays marketing meeting, I suggested we incorporate a new logo into our print ads. When will we present these ideas to senior management? In the event that a coworker is stealing your clients, it is vital that you gather evidence. Edited printouts, excessive refunds, and missing transactions are all signs someone might be stealing. Put something you know they like in the refrigerator and stay hidden with a video camera to try and catch them in the act. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Save any emails that show your interaction with a client and also document any client visits and communication with suppliers. By using our site, you agree to our. Frequently talk to your employees informally about their lives, aspirations, and so on. Theres one exception to the advice above; if youre going to be managing employees directly for a company, then they want to know that youre capable of handling the situation yourself. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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