We know how important your business is to you. It’s an investment, an asset and something that you’ve worked hard for. The employees you hire should have your best interests at heart – and most do. But it’s possible to have employees that aren’t always honest, and you need to be prepared to deal with these types of situations.
If you believe that one of your employees might be stealing from you, it’s crucial to address the situation as soon as possible. At the same time, you don’t want to act until you are equipped with the right information, otherwise you could be out money and inventory and possibly even accused of making false allegations.
Follow our steps if you believe that an employee is stealing from you.
Investigate the Employee
Things aren’t always as they appear. Before you accuse anyone of stealing, gather evidence. You could hire a third party that specializes in employee theft, but why spend the money when you can do it yourself? With security cameras, you can monitor the workplace on your own. Talk to your business alarm company or call Texas Security & Surveillance to learn about costs and installation.
Document the Incidents
The next step is to document the incidents. Otherwise, how do you know how long this has been going on or how much was stolen? Document the date, time and what was stolen so that you have proof if you decide to fire the employee. Refer to your video of the theft to write down the necessary information, and include it in the documents.
Consider the Consequences
Stealing is never okay, but not every case warrants the same punishment. You might want to start with a written warning, a probationary period or a repayment for what was stolen. You may decide that terminating the employee is best.
Consider your options, the role of the employee and what others will think if you let the person stay. Whatever you decide, one thing is clear: it’s time to work with an Austin alarm company to give your business an added layer of protection.
File a Report for Serious Theft
Some issues of theft may require a police report. If an employee stole a few binders and highlighters, you probably won’t want to take legal action. But if the employee stole hundreds of dollars worth of product or thousands of dollars from the cash register, you need legal action, and you need to have it documented.
The best way to prevent employee theft is by having clear policies in place with documented consequences, and installing video surveillance to watch over employees. Video monitoring isn’t just beneficial in this instance; it also keeps employees and customers safe.
Call Texas Security & Surveillance if you would like to learn more about our business security packages.
