Hopefully this post stays pretty short and I manage to keep control throughout the entire thing. I say that because thieves make me pretty passionate pissed off when it comes down to it, especially when I have a few thieves that surround me and hide in the shadows all while stabbing people in the back that don’t know it. It seems that the new “in thing” lately is seeing how stupid some people can make themselves look by stealing in the dumbest fashions possible. I mean you would think the creativity level of the theft would increase over the years, instead the generation that seems to think stealing is a good call manages to se some of the oldest and dumbest tricks in the book.
Within the last two months I have watched three different associates end up getting terminated because they couldn’t keep their hand out of the ever shrinking cookie jar. The worst part about the three that I’m referring to is that each and every single one of them were poised to be promoted in very short fashion, one of them only a few days away from a promotion to store manager. Out of the remaining two one of them would have been getting a transfer closer to where they live and the store would have certainly been in an area more comfortable for that person and the last one turned out to be the kid of someone I’ve been friends with for a while….. P.s. That someone’s father owns their own business as well, crazy huh?
Let’s take a look at the 3 different ways that each of the individuals managed to steal food off of my families table along with potential growth opportunities from the other serious individuals within the company.
3 Ways to Get Caught Stealing
1. Be the Hero
Having a “cool” job when you first get into the work world is pretty sweet. Sadly the temptations that come along with having a cool job seem to be a little too much for some, the urge to “hook-up” their friends becomes overwhelming and they need to become the hero amongst their friends. In my small business the temptations of giving away free tanning products or free tanning to friends over shadows the importance of honesty, integrity and self respect.
2. Pennies Instead of Dollars
This particular thief is actually more stupid then the thief I just finished talking about. You see this type of thief actually thinks that no one is going to follow up on the cash that cruises through their hands, even worse is the fact that the cash this idiot decides to steal is in fact the cash you know they have because you gave it to them. Imagine that… being dumb enough to steal the cash that you were given by a company officer. At least with this thief type you get the joy of listening to all of the pathetic excuses and fumbling as the thief tries to dig themselves out of the hole they were so willing to jump in.
3. Time Bandit
This one always seems to get me because it really is right up there in regards to stupidity levels when it comes to ways to steal from a small business or any business for that matter. The crazy part about the Time Bandit is that they actually think they are pretty smooth and crafty, even more-so then the “Pennies Instead of Dollars” thief. Sadly the technique is lacking in a big way as the Time Bandit is one of the easiest employee theft forms to catch for a small business owner or any business owner for that matter.
The Time Bandit likes to sneak in the door a little late or even maybe a lot late and adjust their own time card to show the actual scheduled time that they were do into work. Ahhhh… time card theft or “stealing time” as we have it listed as in our company policies and procedures. In addition to stealing time this associate is also guilty of excessive tardiness and absenteeism, another terminable offense.
There are all kinds of thieves out there and they come in all shapes and sizes. It would be so much nicer if the individuals considering the option of theft took an extra second to consider the consequences.
Leave a comment if you would like to add your own story of a thief you worked with or had the pleasure of catching in your business.
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Twitter: stilettosportsj
This makes me so upset! We tend to be a little on the outside of the loop sometimes so I didn’t know this was going on until just now. Seriously pisses me off because it makes me question my trust with everyone around me and i HATE that.
I live in a little pink bubble sometimes and always want to believe the best in others and unfortunately, you just can’t do that anymore.
Had an employee a few months back that made up stories about people dying in car accidents—or saying she was in a car accident herself—to get out of coming into work. It was so bad that even months later when I had other people who were actually seriously injured and in the hospital, I didn’t believe them.
And the worst part about this—is that it always winds up people that you least expect.
As upset as this made me, very glad you posted it. It’s so easy to get complacent when you get along with your staff. Reminds me to always be on guard and on my toes.
Stiletto Sports Jen´s last [type] ..32 NFL Team Inspired Custom Designed Women’s Fashion Tees
Twitter: extremejohn
I wouldn’t get too fired up Jenn. Even with each one of the above being somewhat recent in time it doesn’t mean that it’s at this very moment, you have a great team and it shows. Keep doing what your doing and don’t let these types of things bother you, let them empower you to be even more on your game then you are.
John this subject always gets me fired up also.
Luckily ( I’m knockin on wood right now ) I have a staff that has been with me for a while and are pretty trustworthy. I also have the privilege of working hands on with them since we are a single store.
The workers in todays market all think that you (as an employer) owe them something. How soon they forget about the lunches, coffees and dinners out that you provide for them. They really think that since they show up and clock in that they deserve a raise. (even though they are standing around with their fingers up their ass as you walk up on them or they are texting while on the clock). I could not tell you the last time that I have heard from an employee, “what needs to be done today or do you mind if I work on blank,blank, blank today”. Anyhow, enough ranting.
I had an employee that was using our rewards card program and adding points onto his own card (which was not allowed since all employes get a better discount than the card offers). He accumulated enough points to receive a $100 store credit. He then gave the card to a friend (in our store & in front of the cameras) and bought a fish tank. To make it short I called him into work early one day and had the police waiting in my office for him. To my surprise he even had the card back in his possession which the police took in as evidence. He did serve some time and restitution. I had invited and paid for him & his girlfriends dinner just two nights prior. Thats a thankful employee, In his mind I was rich and could afford it. I just wish these employees could see my electric & rent bills and start-up costs to get my business going. All they see is dollars going in the cash register and believe they are entitled to some of it. Great Post thanks for letting me RANT on your site.
Twitter: SourceBlogger
John!
This is Source Blogger. Sorry to say, I haven’t been on your blog in ages. I’ve always enjoy the content though. (For some reason, you remind me of John Sullivan from PotPolitics / BloggerLuv… LOL)
Anyway…
I am a Director of Recruiting for a large staffing company and received a report from a client that a “temp” had been submitting timesheets for 80 hours a week for about 3 months.
Now, in order to get in and out of the building you have to use a badge. When I audited the badge, showing the temps arrival/departure time… he was working an average of 42.5 hours a week!
He was fired… but we ended up having to pay back the client for every penny of the difference! There went my bonus!
I know how you feel!
Jeffrey Baril – Source Blogger
Jeffrey Baril – Source Blogger´s last [type] ..The 10 Painfully Honest Reasons I Visited Your Blog And Refused To Comment!