\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. You care about your job, so when someone steals your idea its natural to be upset. In others it is really annoying, especially if they do not acknowledge us. Edited printouts, excessive refunds, and missing transactions are all signs someone might be stealing. Who will answer questions and be responsible for follow-up? You dont want the thief to know youre on to them and steal your proof. may also give away what you know. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Give occasional freebies and bonuses. Consider sharing your best ideas by explaining them to groups instead of to one colleague. This will help you avoid hiring someone likely to steal from the company. Contact a higher authority like a district manager. Before you escalate the issue, though, try these 10 tips for coping with a lazy coworker. Employee theft can also lead to a loss of trust. Like it or not, having someone steal credit is a common occurrence. Like it or not, having someone steal credit is a common occurrence. You heard it from Rick's lips, so you may want to tell Allie. Keep the conversation serious and sensitive, and don't use it as a platform to let go of all your frustrations about your coworker. Developing the self-awareness to deal with the emotions that come up and act on them constructively is key. Theft is a serious matter and one that often leads to the termination of the guilty party's position. That way there could be no doubt as to who suggested what, when. For example, if you found an item on someones desk, take note of the date and time you discovered it. Here are some warning signs to watch out for: The employee is suddenly living beyond their means. Even invite others to add to and develop the ideas. It can have many negative consequences for the company. Reporting a coworker for stealing is not easy. Were going to let this go, but if you ever do this again, youre out of here, okay?, You might ask, I saw you took cash home yesterday from the tip jar without cashing out the barbacks. Once you've calmed down, you can take appropriate action. Lets revisit the plans.. Heres a simple place to start: when you discuss the project, use personal pronouns. If possible, take pictures or video footage of the act. Theres one exception to the advice above; if youre going to be managing employees directly for a company, then they want to know that youre capable of handling the situation yourself. Id avoid a confrontation with the coworker, since making a scene in front of customers or disrupting the workplace isnt helpful to the company, but Id make it a priority that day to ensure that my manager knows what I saw., If I saw a coworker stealing, I would ask my manager if we can talk in private and then Id report exactly what I saw and when I saw it so that they can respond accordingly.. Thats the easiest way to prevent thefts at register changes. This includes documenting the incident and giving the employee their final paycheck. And if an employee is stealing customer credit card information, they may also be committing fraud. If an employee has a criminal record, its more likely that they will steal from the company. If you suspect an employee is stealing, you may be wondering how to catch them. While they want to hear that you would report employee theft, its highly unlikely they want you to confront the employee yourself. I do not share, unless I truly know the other person can add or improve upon what I have come up with then I always use a lets work together so we can share the credit attitude, which does work even if I take a secondary seat once it is out there sometimes. As difficult as it can be to not take this personally, remember to be professional. It would help if you also asked them what got stolen. Of Job Openings In 2023 Quick Stats. It's a crime. This could include buying new clothes or jewelry. Keep calm and remain steady; to do this may be a sign of real desperation on the part of your co-worker, or it may be a lark. Whenever someone criticizes you, view the criticism as a growth opportunity. You should check anemployees criminal recordbefore hiring them. Mary suggested (whatever), Sue thought trying (whatever), etc. They might never complete any of them on their own because more often than not we need the help of others to complete them. Because of this, its a mistake to say youd confront a coworker. In my opinion as a recruiter, the above phrases show that a candidate is trustworthy and thoughtful in their career and would make a great hire. You could lock the refund button to require manager approval if this is a unique problem for you. Because, someone who thinks it's OK to steal from you, probably thinks it's OK to steal from everyone else. If you confront the person directly, start by asking questions instead of making accusations. You might say, I understand youve been going through a lot, and you seem genuine about being sorry. As a former recruiter, Im going to share everything you need to know to ace this question in your job interview, including: Ill also point out some critical mistakes to avoid. This happens when the employee uses thecompanys moneyto fund their lifestyle. The best way to answer, What would you do if you witnessed a coworker stealing? is to explain that youd report what you saw to your direct superior without causing a confrontation in front of customers or the team. Tell her that you saw your coworker stealing money from a purse at work, or whatever exact instance you saw. Unfair. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. You want to avoid coming across as fidgety, nervous or a tattletale, according to Career Alley. But think of the situation where one might spend all of their effort protecting their ideas. I would use e-mail as a means to convey your idea. If youre going to issue a warning, be sure to do it in writing. If you follow the approach above, youll have a convincing, professional answer that shows employers youre trustworthy and reliable with money so that you can win the job. If theyre new, consider doing additional training and see if the problem resolves itself. However, employers are allowed to do certain things, like pool tips. When you work in a fast-paced, competitive work environment ideas are circulating constantly. If you suspect someone at work is stealing, there are things you can do to catch them and end workplace theft. Or maybe you stay late to finish a project, but your name is left off of the final presentation. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. If the accused has an alibi, be sure to check it out. The behaviors characterized by teachers as least ethical were passing blame for errors to an innocent coworker, stealing from school funds, claiming undeserved credit, and repeating confidential information. If you manage a team, play the role of a coach. This isnt the type of question where you can sound unsure or take a long time to think about your decision. This is true whether you barely know the person stealing or whether they are a close colleague. Or they no longer need to take loans from the bank. If he/she truly believes they own the idea, tell them that you have proof its yours and if it happens again, youre going to upper management and personnel. Well, I called off work with a really bad cough, so it's the perfect time to whine about.work! By using our site, you agree to our. Also, if one employee steals and no one takes action against them, others can. The first time someone criticizes you, choose whether you want to ignore the remark or act on it. Grant time off or add in an extra shift for shift workers who excel in their roles. So the wild thing is that she didn't give the money back. Instantly access free expert advice, management strategies and real-life examples of workplace Tell your boss or supervisor: As Dublanica notes, your tips may be short because of bad bookkeeping or honest mistakes. This includes their physical appearance, what they were wearing, and any identifying characteristics. If you notice any of these warning signs, investigate further. You can also look for inconsistencies in inventory or sales records or note special register functions that would allow an employee to pocket some cash. Enjoy! When the interviewer asks what you'd do after seeing a coworker stealing, you should explain that you would avoid a confrontation in the moment, but then report the theft to your direct manager or boss as soon as possible (the same day that you saw the theft is best).