Employee Theft, Part II–Tip of the Week
In Part I, I discussed employee theft generally, estimated how costly it can be to an employer, talked about the different kinds of employee theft there are, and noted that management isn’t blameless when it comes to this subject. Now to Part II.
What’s an employer to do? How do you prevent–or at least control–employee theft?
–Watch for telltale signs like an unexplained rise in an employee’s living standards.
–Hire people you can trust through the use of good background checks.
–Make it hard to steal by careful supervision, the use of commonsense procedures and controls, and routine auditing.
–Partner with employees to create an environment in which reporting theft is a job responsibility.
–Give alternatives to stealing by providing employees with assistance when they get in a real bind with heavy medical expenses and the like.
–Establish clear written policies on ethical behavior to be signed by each employee and to be enforced consistently, no matter the employee’s position.
Once you think you have a thief, what then? Stay tuned for Part III.
About Chris Parker
Chris Parker's practice focuses on the representation and counseling of companies in matters pertaining to the workplace and the protection of their intellectual property and trade secrets. In addition to serving as an advocate for clients, Mr. Parker is also trained as a mediator and frequently serves as a third-party neutral.
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About Jimmy Daniel
Jimmy Daniel provides counseling to businesses of all sizes related to the employment relationship. He assists in the drafting of employment agreements, policies, and handbooks, as well as provides guidance related to compliance with federal, state, and local legislation such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
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About Larry Bridgesmith
While serving in an Of Counsel relationship with the firm, Mr. Bridgesmith also serves as the Executive Director at the Institute for Conflict Resolution at Lipscomb University and as an officer and principal in Strategic Resolutions Group, LLC. In these roles, Mr. Bridgesmith brings over 30 years of legal experience in dispute resolution and innovative workplace strategies to clients, students and business entities alike.
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