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9 Replies Last post: Feb 22, 2008 4:37 PM by Lighthouse24

How to deal with employee theft?

Oct 5, 2007 4:44 PM

Click to view teacup's profile Authority teacup 33 posts since
Sep 29, 2007
My cash register is short lately. Coincidentally, I've hired someone new recently. A bad thought popped in my mind: Could it be employee theft? Or maybe I'm over reacting and it's just bad counting. What should I do to monitor this? I've never had this happen before.
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Click to view LUCKIEST's profile SCORE LUCKIEST 7,938 posts since
Aug 6, 2007
1. Re: How to deal with employee theft? Oct 6, 2007 8:26 AM
in response to: teacup
Great question. You are in business and part of running a business is handling employees.
It would help to know more, like how many employees have access to the cash register??
How much money is missing?? Are we talking nickels and dimes or larger sums??
What is the background of this new employee?? Is the employee use to handling money
and making change or is this a new situation for the employee.
How is the register on days that the new employee is off??
Another thought - -Does the register automatically respond with the change amount??
Lastly if you really suspect that the shortages are related to the new hire, a pep talk or
a warning that you are aware of the shortage might be in order.
Good luck, LUCKIEST
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Click to view teacup's profile Authority teacup 33 posts since
Sep 29, 2007
2. Re: How to deal with employee theft? Oct 7, 2007 5:18 PM
in response to: LUCKIEST
Thanks for the words of wisdom Luckiest. Yes, the shortages seem to happen only when the employee is working. I also appreciate you asking if the register shows amount due, as it could simply be bad counting! Given the pattern, I think a talk is in order. Thank you.
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Click to view Flowers's profile Founders Flowers 16 posts since
Jul 20, 2007
3. Re: How to deal with employee theft? Oct 9, 2007 10:52 PM
in response to: teacup

Ever since I can remember, our family business has always counted and balanced the cash in the register near the end of every day and this activity is visible to all employees. We've never had an issue with a short register and we've had lots of different employees over the years, so you may curtail the issue if your employees are simply aware that you monitor this daily.
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Click to view WEBillions's profile Mogul WEBillions 154 posts since
Oct 10, 2007
4. Re: How to deal with employee theft? Oct 21, 2007 5:22 PM
in response to: teacup
You should try to find out more about your new employee and maybe others. Have they had a sudden change in financial status that may have prompted them to be less than loyal? Or have they started buying expensive clothes or any other red flags? It would be ideal to be positive before you talk to them or let them go. Is the person otherwise a good employee?
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Click to view SpeedE55's profile Professional SpeedE55 6 posts since
Oct 18, 2007
5. Re: How to deal with employee theft? Oct 26, 2007 6:19 PM
in response to: teacup
Two words: Hidden Camera. That will eliminate any guessing as to who's doing what.
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Click to view NatOnline's profile Mogul NatOnline 670 posts since
Oct 10, 2007
6. Re: How to deal with employee theft? Oct 29, 2007 10:19 AM
in response to: SpeedE55
I would do the same, so if later you have trouble for firing, at least you have proofs.
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Click to view Excellent's profile Mogul Excellent 46 posts since
Oct 12, 2007
7. Re: How to deal with employee theft? Oct 31, 2007 1:55 PM
in response to: SpeedE55
I don't think it's legal to have a hidden camera, is it? Why not have a camera that's hooked up to a monitor so everyone can see?
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Click to view Ed O'Gee's profile Mogul Ed O'Gee 215 posts since
Oct 25, 2007
8. Re: How to deal with employee theft? Oct 31, 2007 2:14 PM
in response to: Excellent
Sure it's legal. As a business owner you have the right to protect your business from customer and employee theft. That hidden camera will help you do both.
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Click to view eyespyli's profile Professional eyespyli 4 posts since
Dec 8, 2008
9. Re: How to deal with employee theft? Dec 8, 2008 12:55 PM
in response to: teacup

Sorry to hear this. Unfortunately, in our business (surveillance) we hear this repeatedly. Fortunately, you CAN protect you business. Today surveillance systems offer more then just "seeing" what's going on in your store. Check out our findings at www.eyespyli.com/employee_theft.htm if you need any additional tips just send us an email. We would be more then happy to help.

Francine

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Click to view herculestex1's profile Professional herculestex1 7 posts since
Dec 18, 2008
10. Re: How to deal with employee theft? Dec 19, 2008 5:59 PM
in response to: teacup
luckiest, once again your answer is correct and awesome. I have been a restaurant manger for 10 yrs and every time 100% my money comes up short it's because of the new person I hired. sometimes it's counting but most times its theft. depending on how much money is missing, i'll give a personal training on counting back money. if it's more i'll immediately discharge. once again different states have different rules on discharging. you have to think of unemployment costs and such.........so always document on a writeup sheet of some kind and have party in question sign. As a manager it's someone else's money as an owner it's my money. and I have little to none, in tolerance to thieves.
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Click to view eyespyli's profile Professional eyespyli 4 posts since
Dec 8, 2008
11. Re: How to deal with employee theft? Dec 19, 2008 6:22 PM
in response to: teacup

herculestex1, the best way to avoid problems when discharging someone for stealing is to have the evidence. Our clients who have CCTV cameras "aimed" at the registers, stockrooms and such have only to present the evidence to police (or the employee) and it's over.


The defense of "No, I didn't take it" when faced with overwhelming evidence is dismissed.

Today's DVR and CCTV system are inexpensive compared to lawsuits and loss of inventory and/or money. An added benefit is it helps with "slip and fall" lawsuits.

Francine
ESLI Surveillance

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