Perfect employee...but many people suspect this person is a thief?

Question

I have an employee who does everything I ask. Always comes to work on time and stays late if I need them. Helps me out when I'm in a bind. This person is a pleasure to be around and is in line for a promotion because of all the things I just described.

For a few months now it has been the suspicion of a few managers (not myself) that this employee had stolen money from other employees. Just recently money went missing in the area that the employee was working in that night and I began to grow suspicious myself. With that said I watched the employee like a hawk for the rest of the night and to my surprise...I caught this person stealing supplies from the storage room. We are talking about something the equivelent of $10, but stole non-the-less.

Now I have to believe what everyone else said...but I don't know exactly how to handle this? Please give me your opinions. Thanks.

Answer 1

I think perhaps you had grown a bit fond of this employee, and especially with how they had presented themself and been of value to you personally, you trully regret what you know you have to do, as unfortunate as it may be, and perhaps because of....hard, none the less you have a responcibility as well, not only to your own good morals and self respect, but to teach this person about morals and self respect as well!
Then, what would your co-workers, management, employees and such, or overhead if they got wind of you letting it slide, think of you, and say or do? It would be like saying it's okay, go ahead, in fact, why don't we all help ourselves, or use or discretion to play favorites. We'll let Sally slide, but Billy were gonna hold you to strict adherence to policy. You have to acknowledge that any theif is a liability, no matter what service they render, or how likable, it's already been counteracted by their disreguard for the buisness making a profit, which is the sole purpose, and they are taking money out of the pockets of those whom are honest and therefore the food off their tables. So, those individuals would feel kicked in the teeth by letting it slide, and they would in fact be right, watching someone be awarded for their treachory. Nothing about this is good. I would be sure you in fact have proof, if you let this slide for some time rather than handle it on the spot, you already made a mistake and weren't in fact doing your job....sorry to say, but true...no offence intended! If you catch them red handed, it should be immediate dismissal if not prosecution, but in that case I would seek the joint consideration and majority oppinion of the other management, and your overhead, not to mention if you all were to decide not to prosecute, what impact will it have per your other faithful employees, message will it send, and respect will it command and deserve? I know this position sucks, for the majority of the past 15 years I've been, including now, in some kind of managerial position, and been there, but I think in the asking you know what you need to do, but you need the assurance simply because it is a shame, someone with such potential, let that potential get away from them, and let you down when they were a pleasure and a commodity, so you truly believed. However this will be a valuable learning experience for them, hopefully, and for you....definately. Live and learn and do the right thing, because no matter how bad it seems, you'll still walk away with your self respect and the only person that can take that away from you, is you.

Answer 2

Well of course the promotion is out of the question.
Is there any way you can do a record's check on him/her?
If for some strange reason you can stand to have this person working for you (I would fire him), install cameras.
You can get a few fake domes on ebay for about $35.00.
They come with a red battery operated light inside of it that make them look real.
I think you should FIRE this person.
If you CAUGHT this person stealing from your home (ten cents or ten bucks), you would fire them on the spot!
What did this person say when you confronted them? It is not too late to fire him. Theft in any amount is a crime. THis 'sometimey' thief is way worse than a kleptomaniac as an opportunist is much harder to deter.
Kleptos will get caught because that is just what they do, but this person is waaaaaaay more dangerous and could destroy your company from within.
If they were willing to risk their job for $10.00 worth of supplies, it is hard to really know how much they have gotten away with when no one was 'watching' them like a hawk.
CUT YOUR LOSSES. 2 weeks from now you can have a mailbox full of HONEST employees that will be all of the good things that you described about this person!
Isn't it hard enough to run a business without people stealing from WITHIN the company?
This theft could be indicative of a myriad of other problems (drug use, personality disorders ---> not too many honest thieves..etc)
If I worked for you and was the victim of one of these thefts, If I could prove that he or she did it and you suspected this person of being a thief, I would sue you for having this kind of work place...and you know what, I WOULD WIN!
YOur employees have a right to expect more from coworkers.
you have proof
FIRE HIM
yesterday!
his claims of sorry will translate to 'sorry I got caught'!

Answer 3

Sit this employee down and let them know that this is a hard thing for you to do. Let them know that they were in line for a promotion because of all the things you listed. Then let them know that you witnessed them stealing and now you have to let them go. Tell them to use this as a learning experience and at their next job maybe they will get the promotion.

Answer 4

he is stealing from the company if you keep him you are just as bad as he is for keeping him knowing what he is doing so fire him but do a set up marded bills you can take the bills and write down the sereal number and when the money comes up missing do a search of all employees and you will find the marked bills , my boss done this to a employee who ran the cash register and had axcess to extra money to supply her drawer she dident take it out of drawer she was takeing it out of the box that contained bills and roll change for her drawer well she decided to buy stuff with her stolen money before she left the store and she was caught red handed with the money . fire him before he costes you alot more and possibly your job if you have a home office involved get them involved , employees need lockers with locks

Answer 5

although this employee may seem perfect, you cannot tolerate their stealing in the establishment you run. If they work their way up on the corporate ladder, would you allow them to be your business partner? What if you are his/her next target? Just be careful, and let them go immediately! You caught them, and you have a good reason for firing them.

Answer 6

Here in America, only the employer is allowed to steal.