5 Steps to Take If You Suspect an Employee is Stealing Money‍

It’s not easy to spot an employee who is wasting your money. You might think that the cashier is loaning out change or pocketing the value of every product they sell, but you’d be wrong in many cases. If you suspect that your employees are stealing money, it can negatively impact your business. The loss of productivity and time spent on security measures can quickly add up. Here are five simple steps to take if you suspect that your employees are stealing money:

1- Contact Your Legal Counsel

You are the most senior employee on your team; therefore, you are responsible for identifying and addressing any issues with other employees. Before making any accusations against your employees, getting proper legal advice is best. If you have reason to believe that your employees are stealing money, it’s in your best interest to contact your legal counsel first and get a proper investigation underway.

2- Conduct a Thorough Investigation and Ask the Right Questions

It’s important to conduct a thorough investigation and ask the right questions to uncover any and all signs of theft. Start by identifying the most common types of theft and then go from there. If your suspicions are raised by an employee not returning to work after being on leave, it’s in your best interest to conduct a criminal background check on that employee. The easiest way to do this is to go to the Department of Justice’s website and look up the most recent criminal history of each of your employees. After you’ve conducted a thorough investigation and requested documents, you are required to file a complaint with the appropriate authorities.

3- Ask the Employee to Explain

Sometimes, the employee will try to explain themselves. This means that the employee is trying to defend themselves and explain the situation so that you have a full understanding of what happened. It can be a great way to get information and facts. Also, ask them to explain why they did it. You don’t have to like what you’re about to hear, but you want to ensure that you’re informed and all of the facts before making a decision.

4- Conduct a Quick Audit of Your Business

If you’re not sure if your employees are stealing money, it’s a good idea to conduct a quick audit of your business. This includes looking at your invoices and receipts to see if any cash is missing. If you find any discrepancies, it could be a sign that your employees are stealing money. You should also take a look at your company documents to see if there is an established policy in place to solve any issues that may be happening. If not, you’re giving your employees an easy out.

5- Ask the Employee to Take a Polygraph Test

If you suspect employee theft, it’s a good idea to ask the employee to take a polygraph test. A test is a common tool used by law enforcement to detect if someone is lying. Polygraphs are often referred to as lie-detector tests. They’re meant to be used as a supplement to the criminal justice system, but some companies have found that they have helped their employees take the property back.