Should I tell my boss how I feel or just mind my own business?

Question

There's a lady who steals money from the store I work at and my boss recently found out about it. I thought she would confront her or fire her but she's not doing ANYTHING because they are friends. She doesn't want to lose the friendship or the business the thief's family does at the store. So she gets to keep stealing! This is wrong and I know its wrong. But what can I do?? Should I tell her I think something should be done or should I just mind my own business?

My boss is also the owner so there is no one else to go to. Also, I don't feel as though she would fire me over this, I have been a loyal employee for 5 years. But she has made her decision...is there a point in me saying something?

Answer 1

It's your responsibility to express to your boss how you feel. It's affecting the work environment. You are uncomfortable with the situation and your boss needs to know this. I wouldn't suggest you advise your boss what to do (i.e. don't suggest that something should be done), simply express how it's affecting you and your work relationship.

Allow your boss to handle things the way she feels most comfortable, but definitely approach your boss to discuss how you feel.

Perhaps anti-theft measures can be put in place, such as having a security camera installed over the cash register, or making sure each employee has their own float of cash for which they are solely responsible. They must count their float and account for every penny. If it becomes virtually impossible for the employee to steal, then your boss may be able to avoid confronting the thief and not risk losing the friendship.

Answer 2

Yikes! That's awful! I guess my first question is: does the "boss" own the store? If she does, then it's basically the boss's money, and no one gets hurt. If the boss isn't the owner of the company, then you have a difficult decision to make. You can go over the boss's head and turn her in. This could lead to three possible scenarios: 1) the boss's boss is happy to find out about the theft and fires your boss, 2) the boss's boss finds out about the theft, but is also afraid of losing the thief's family's business so he also does nothing and 3) the boss's boss already knows, and he tells your immediate boss you're a snitch and your life becomes a living hell at work.

If it were me, I'd start looking for another job. When you have something fairly promising lined up, tell the head boss what's going on. Stealing is a crime and should be reported, but there's no reason you should be out of a job for telling the truth, so time your presentation carefully.

Answer 3

"I thought she would confront her or fire her but she's not doing ANYTHING because they are friends."

Well fine...so you're saying the boss knows about it and has chosen not to do anything.

That's the boss's choice so there's nothing to pursue with the boss.

So now you can instead go to the police...just as if you saw a person on the street break into a store and steal something.

After all, it's stealing, right? So if you really do think it's wrong, and want to do something about it, why not file a police report?

Answer 4

My advice would be to quit this job. Being surrounded by thieves will not help your honesty. Find a place where honesty is rewarded and dishonest is punished.
Think of it this way. If your boss condones this type of behavior then she probably does it herself. Do you bring a purse or jacket or anything personal that can be stolen to work with you? You know eventually it is going to disappear. So who is most likely to have taken it?
Your other alternative is if you are working at a chain store. You can call your bosses boss and tell him/her. Just ask to not be identified as the person who told out of fear of reprisals. Both the thief and the boss would get the axe and your honesty would be appreciated

Answer 5

Is your boss the highest authority where you work, or does she report to someone else? Obviously, since your boss already knows about the stealing, nothing good will come of you saying anything to her. It might even create friction between you and your boss. But if there is someone higher up in the chain of command, maybe you can say something to that person.

Answer 6

It's best to mind your own business but start keeping a journal and document other activities like this so if something happens that could harm you, you have documentation by dates and times.

It's better to CYOA. You might also want to find another job. When the shyt hits the fan, and it always does, you don't want to be anywhere around.

Does your boss own the business? If not, when you submit your resignation you might want to tell the owners about what has been going on.

Answer 7

Ask her if she thinks stealing is wrong.

Then assure her that others know she is stealing as well and if she as the boss does not confront this issue with moral fortitude then it may well imbolden other would be thieves that work for her.

Overlooking an issue doesn't make it go away. You only fool yourself.

After you have said your piece, leave it alone and never mention it again.

Answer 8

You are in a tough spot. If you feel that you can mention this and that your boss wont freak about you saying something the by all means say something. If you can live with knowing that nothing is being done then don't. First think how this is making you feel

Answer 9

If she is the owner and she is looking the other way, then leave it alone. If she didn't know then I would have said something. That way you get to keep your job or better yet, find another one. Because maybe fingers might start pointing at you if you are not careful.

Answer 10

Is your boss the owner? If not, go to the owner.

If your boss is the owner, mind your own business.