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Detecting Employee Theft

April 13, 2006

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Detecting theft can be difficult, especially if the thief is good at what he or she does.

Warning Remember, even if you suspect an employee of theft, you should not accuse the employee until you have proof. A wrong accusation could cause irreparable damage to your relationship with other employees and to your business. It can also be expensive if the accused employee sues you for slander.

Here are some things to be on the lookout for if you suspect that an employee is stealing from you:

• Look for unusual occurrences in the workplace such as:
  • discrepancies of cash amounts
  • missing merchandise or supplies
  • vehicles parked close to exits, i.e., an employee's vehicle parked in a loading area
  • unlocked exits
• Watch the employee's behavior for:
  • unusual working hours
  • poor work performance
  • unjustified complaints about employment
  • defensiveness when reporting on work
  • an unexplained close relationship with, or unjustified favoritism by, a supplier or customer
  • a personal lifestyle that doesn't match salary

If you suspect an employee of theft, read our discussion of how to handle the situation.

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