Untrustworthy employees! Regular thefts

[benjaminty]

I've had enough! As if running your own business isn't difficult enough, for the last 6 months we have had money go missing regularly from the coat pockets, handbags and wallets of staff in the staff room.

Without spending money I don't particularly want to spend money on CCTV or or on small personal lockers in an already cluttered and small staff room (which also cost a fair whack) I'm struggling to think of a way to stop this happenning.

I have my suspicions as to who it is but they are essentially unfounded.

Has anyone had this issue in their business or company and found a deterrent or a way to catch the little sh1t?

I can't stand theft.... whether it's my stock or stealing from a colleague it's just not on!

Just had a meeting with them all and tempted to make them empty their pockets but I think this could end up nasty and out of control.

If anyone can help please let me know.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Visit your local hardware store and stock up on cheap/small mousetraps. Place in vulnerable sites, sit back and wait for yelps.

Maybe some anti-theft paint would be kinder.

[HAL9000]

You could try something like this: Anti-theft Powder or Flourecent Powder.

[Roll Deep]

Put a dog turd in one of the targeted pockets. That should see their profit margin shrink. And fingers stink.

[Ann]

Stealing is horrible , more so when it's in a small company where everyone knows each other.

I know of a similar problem that happened some years back in a local business. The person who owned the company had noticed money was going from her purse. The odd ?10 or ?20 here and there, she decided to set up a video camera in secret, nothing like the expense of CCT ( and could be perhaps borrowed). The thief was identified and turned out to be a long term 'trusted' employee.

The thief was confronted with the footage alongside all the other staff team. She was sacked and lost a pretty decent job. I don't think criminal charges were made but they could have been.

My sympathies go to all who run small companies and get let down in such a hurtful way. It must be one of the toughest aspects in running a business, sorry to hear your tale Benjaminty.

[daizie]

I'd just sack them . If you dont want to give the real reason , make up another one . You dont have suspicions about this person for nothing .

[Ann]

Daizie, I understand where you're coming from but with employment laws and so on, is it really that simple?

[Narnia]

Would it cost a lot to have lockers for each member of staff and charge them a nominal amount over a period of time to recoup your costs?I presume from what you write some of them are victims too.

[benjaminty]

Since writing this post we've now had an altercation out in the street between to women - getting ugly!

Whilst I have my suspiciones when I look at the times this persons works and when the money goes missing it is incinsistent and therefore it looks lik ethere are multiple offenders.

I can't charge staff for the lockers, we as a company need to ensure safe and secure working conditions.

There is some sort of espionage/spy "shop" not far from our site so I may see what they can suggest on a budget - thanks Ann.

I can't use money dye or anything like that as it's personal money in people pockets not money we are locking in a safe.

[legalbeagle]

How about putting up a large sign in the staff room saying: "There has been a recent spate of money and other items going missing from the staff room. Please be extra vigilant." It might put off the perpetrators, and make them think they are being watched? Wouldn't cost anything while you think of a more conclusive way of dealing with it.

[RosieH]

What are the implications of searching people?

I've worked in a few places (including my current job) where random spot checks of bags and coats are a standard part of security. It might be something that you need to give notice of, I've no idea about employment law, but it's certainly something that can be done.

[Roll Deep]

For an employer to carry out spot checks on staff i.e - searching their pockets and belongings, the employee must be made aware of this occurance in their contract. I'm pretty sure you can't just walk up to an employee and demand they turn out their pockets.

[SteveT]

A notice stating do not leave any valuables in your pockets due to a recent spate of thefts and extra vigilance is needed until we find and remove the culprit(s).

Remember the two women arguing, it was probably over the unequal shares.

[Roll Deep]

SteveT Wrote: Remember the two women arguing, it was probably over the unequal shares.

I get the impression that the OP's grievance is that small change and valuables are going missing. Not Bearer bonds.

[RosieH]

Roll Deep Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> For an employer to carry out spot checks on staff

> i.e - searching their pockets and belongings, the

> employee must be made aware of this occurance in

> their contract. I'm pretty sure you can't just

> walk up to an employee and demand they turn out

> their pockets.

Well yes, quite. However, you can change an employees contract.

[Roll Deep]

You're right. Although changing a contract in a workplace where it is known to some or someone who may be complicit in any theft from the premises that will draw attention to any searches that the employer wants to carry out will surely complicate matters further. Although on a positive note, the thief may simply wish to leave their job.

[Bluerevolution]

Even if it is in your contract, only an warranted police officer can demand you empty your pockets. If it is contracted and you refuse the 2 options are 1)Call the police as a suspected crime has been committed or 2)instant dismissal for breach of contract/gross misconduct

[katie1997]

legalbeagle Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> How about putting up a large sign in the staff

> room saying: "There has been a recent spate of

> money and other items going missing from the staff

> room. Please be extra vigilant." It might put off

> the perpetrators, and make them think they are

> being watched? Wouldn't cost anything while you

> think of a more conclusive way of dealing with it.

Benjaminty - sorry to hear of this horrible problem with your employees and I hope you manage to sort it out. I fully agree with what leaglebeagle says above as the first step...does your company have a contract with an employment law firm as they should be able to offer you some good advice on how to deal with this situation? very best of luck and I hope its resolved soon.

[daizie]

Ann Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Daizie, I understand where you're coming from but

> with employment laws and so on, is it really that

> simple?

Depends. Do they have contracts ? If its your own business and you've done your homework you can do a number of things if you change your mind about employee's .

[Applespider]

Is there any way of providing a lockable place in the main trading area/managers office? Even if it's a communal one but the manager/shift supervisor has the key so that people can lock their wallets up without having to clutter up the staff room?

There are some very cheap basic 'spy' cameras available now that might be OK short-term until you find the culprit. One other thing, I'm not entirely sure on the legalities but don't you have to warn people if they are being monitored on camera?

[LegalEagle-ish]

A friend of mine has a security company and I know he can fit tiny cameras that are undetectable to catch people doing things like this. His name is Michael and his company is called Master Protection.

He said one camera, one moniter and recording equipment would be about ?500 and his contact details are: Mob 07817054743 email: [email protected]

He's a nice guy and has only just started up his own business after haveing been made redundant, so is very reasonable with his prices.

[sophiesofa]

Maybe there are companies that hire out CCTV for temporary problems such as these? Might be worth a look if your budget is tight. I hope you get it sorted soon - what an utter scum bag.

[benjaminty]

They all have contracts with 3 month extendable probation. To be honest the industry we are in makes the contracts not quite unenforeable but historically contracts have never bene in place... if someone needs to work their notice then you are at the mercy of their understanding of moral obligations rather than what the contract says

[vinceayre]

I have had 25 years of petty theft normally from the tills but also sometimes from the staff bags ( which also normally ends up in a fight) and now have found the only sure way to deal with it is to sack the last person employed and keep sacking until it stops. Times are hard tell them you cant afford them any longer.

If you pussy foot around they will steal you out of house and home. I know its a horrid thing to have to do but if you don't it will get worse. The thief isn't going to all of a sudden think "you know what this is wrong im going to stop"

Twenty five years ago i used to get upset about it, now its just what happens sometimes and needs to be dealt with quickly and hard.

[computedshorty]

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