Hi All
I gauge this would be very off topic to discuss still I am writing here because I am not able to find the solution for it.
One of our employee has lost his mobile in the office. It was seen by peon and he has kept it on table. Now the very next day peon could not found that on the table.
The person who has lost the mobile has told it to HR but nobody is taking responsibility.
My question is who should be responsible for this. Should an employee get amount for it.
Regards
Sujata
From India, Faridabad
3I gauge this would be very off topic to discuss still I am writing here because I am not able to find the solution for it.
One of our employee has lost his mobile in the office. It was seen by peon and he has kept it on table. Now the very next day peon could not found that on the table.
The person who has lost the mobile has told it to HR but nobody is taking responsibility.
My question is who should be responsible for this. Should an employee get amount for it.
Regards
Sujata
From India, Faridabad
Hi Sujata,
It's very difficult to decide until you take up a thorough investigation. You have to find out who are the people present at the time of losing the mobile, who has last seen that and whether any outside people are inside at that time. How about security? Are there any check on the employees or other staff down the level like housekeeping staff and office boys? You please find out all these things and even after enquiring about all these things if you are still not able to trace out the mobile you can decide whether to pay the amount to the employee or not.
Meanwhile conduct an enquiry and record all the statements of persons who are at present at the time of theft. This will help you to have an idea on what has exactly happened and check whether there are any contradictory statements between the individuals. Just conduct a domestic enquiry sort of thing for getting out the facts.
Moreover, it is the responsibility of the owner/user of the mobile to safeguard it against any theft or damage. How can you or the company will be responsible for it? Have you framed any policies on this? If not, first frame such kind of policies on mobiles, vehicles and other company as well as individual properties which are being used for company purpose otherwise you will land up in serious problems in future. Everything should be laid down in black and white.
Regards,
PRADEEP
From India, Hyderabad
It's very difficult to decide until you take up a thorough investigation. You have to find out who are the people present at the time of losing the mobile, who has last seen that and whether any outside people are inside at that time. How about security? Are there any check on the employees or other staff down the level like housekeeping staff and office boys? You please find out all these things and even after enquiring about all these things if you are still not able to trace out the mobile you can decide whether to pay the amount to the employee or not.
Meanwhile conduct an enquiry and record all the statements of persons who are at present at the time of theft. This will help you to have an idea on what has exactly happened and check whether there are any contradictory statements between the individuals. Just conduct a domestic enquiry sort of thing for getting out the facts.
Moreover, it is the responsibility of the owner/user of the mobile to safeguard it against any theft or damage. How can you or the company will be responsible for it? Have you framed any policies on this? If not, first frame such kind of policies on mobiles, vehicles and other company as well as individual properties which are being used for company purpose otherwise you will land up in serious problems in future. Everything should be laid down in black and white.
Regards,
PRADEEP
From India, Hyderabad
Hi Pradeep
Thanks a ton for your reply.
I would definitely do that. The point employee is raising is that aren't the things safe in office? Actually a peon has kept it on table as I mentioned in my earlier mail. But when the next day employee asked him he said he has kept it there only. He doesn't know who has taken it.
The employee who has lost his mobile is saying it is the responsibility of company to pay for it bcoz things should be safe in the office.
Regards
Sujata
From India, Faridabad
Thanks a ton for your reply.
I would definitely do that. The point employee is raising is that aren't the things safe in office? Actually a peon has kept it on table as I mentioned in my earlier mail. But when the next day employee asked him he said he has kept it there only. He doesn't know who has taken it.
The employee who has lost his mobile is saying it is the responsibility of company to pay for it bcoz things should be safe in the office.
Regards
Sujata
From India, Faridabad
Hi Sujata,
As long as it is private property, it is the responsibility of the individual to take care of that. I can bring 1 lakh (or I can say) to the office and lodge a complaint with the management saying that I have lost 1 lakh and ask the management to pay me that amount. Is it justifiable?
The management or you have not instructed the employee to keep his mobile in the office or you have not given any order to the peon to take the mobile from the employee and keep it safely. When you have not done either, then where is the question of owning the responsibility and pay the amount of mobile to the employee. If he has given it to the peon, let him settle the issue with the peon. You need not interfere in this at all.
Regards,
PRADEEP
From India, Hyderabad
As long as it is private property, it is the responsibility of the individual to take care of that. I can bring 1 lakh (or I can say) to the office and lodge a complaint with the management saying that I have lost 1 lakh and ask the management to pay me that amount. Is it justifiable?
The management or you have not instructed the employee to keep his mobile in the office or you have not given any order to the peon to take the mobile from the employee and keep it safely. When you have not done either, then where is the question of owning the responsibility and pay the amount of mobile to the employee. If he has given it to the peon, let him settle the issue with the peon. You need not interfere in this at all.
Regards,
PRADEEP
From India, Hyderabad
Hi,
Primarily it one's responsibility to look after his own things!
The peon may have been careless to keep the phone on the table and not tell anyone about but report about it only when the employee complains of the theft. But was the person not more careless to loose his mobile phone in the first place?
The core question is if the company is responsible for loss fo individual's property while in office? I am of the opinion that the company is NOT responsible and certainly should not pay for the loss. Since the incident has happened in the office premises of the company, a regular police compalint may be lodged by the owner of the property or by the company if the police permits and thereafter let the law its course. In the process a few people may picked up by the police for "investigation" by the authorities and this will vitiate the atmosphere within the organization. The company may not be prepared to let this happen.
But paying for the loss/theft of the property the company need not pay! The employee could as well have INSURED his property and got due reimbursement. For his failure why should thecompany foot the bill? What will happen if one reports a loss of a wallet containing Rs. 50000/- or so and claim that the company make good the loss/theft? There can be umpteen situations that can come up!
It is best to learn from this situation appropriate rules may be made and the future be protected. At best the company may pay this amount going against all the above arguments BUT it must make suitable rules for future! Though I vote for "no payment" and "making rules for future!
Regards
samvedan
September 16, 2006
From India, Pune
Primarily it one's responsibility to look after his own things!
The peon may have been careless to keep the phone on the table and not tell anyone about but report about it only when the employee complains of the theft. But was the person not more careless to loose his mobile phone in the first place?
The core question is if the company is responsible for loss fo individual's property while in office? I am of the opinion that the company is NOT responsible and certainly should not pay for the loss. Since the incident has happened in the office premises of the company, a regular police compalint may be lodged by the owner of the property or by the company if the police permits and thereafter let the law its course. In the process a few people may picked up by the police for "investigation" by the authorities and this will vitiate the atmosphere within the organization. The company may not be prepared to let this happen.
But paying for the loss/theft of the property the company need not pay! The employee could as well have INSURED his property and got due reimbursement. For his failure why should thecompany foot the bill? What will happen if one reports a loss of a wallet containing Rs. 50000/- or so and claim that the company make good the loss/theft? There can be umpteen situations that can come up!
It is best to learn from this situation appropriate rules may be made and the future be protected. At best the company may pay this amount going against all the above arguments BUT it must make suitable rules for future! Though I vote for "no payment" and "making rules for future!
Regards
samvedan
September 16, 2006
From India, Pune
Hi Samvedan
Thanks a lot for your valuable advise.
Hi Pradeep
Actually what happend is he forgot the mobile on table and in the evening when peon saw it then he kept it on another table. The next day when he asked for his mobile the peon replied that he doesn't know he kept it on table only.
However you said it right. It is the responsibility of the individual to take care of his / her things. But he is raising the issue that if it was in office only then where has it gone.
Regards
Sujata
From India, Faridabad
Thanks a lot for your valuable advise.
Hi Pradeep
Actually what happend is he forgot the mobile on table and in the evening when peon saw it then he kept it on another table. The next day when he asked for his mobile the peon replied that he doesn't know he kept it on table only.
However you said it right. It is the responsibility of the individual to take care of his / her things. But he is raising the issue that if it was in office only then where has it gone.
Regards
Sujata
From India, Faridabad
Dear Sujata,
Many things especially mobiles, expensive pens, watches get stolen from offices all over the world. Since, not only insiders but many customers, vendors, contractors and other agents enter the offices.
As Pradeep was saying that the person cannot hold the office responsible for theft. It becomes quite awkard also for the Company to get involve. Yes, checking can be done tactfully if the Manangement receives the information within an hour of occurence. Again, this should be done tactfully. The case of searching is very sensitive issue.But, in your case, please donot entertain. .Look even in High Security Defense establishments and Government Mints, theft of presonal belonging is not entertained. If he insists tell him to lodge a compliant with the Police with prior consent of appropriate Company authorities.
The other way is to ask him to lodge a complaint in writing and name the suspects. Initiate and disciplinary proceeding, conduct a Domestic Enquiry and take appropriate actions. If the person doesnot name any suspect then issue a notice and circulate among all asking for any information and paste a copy on the Notice Board. Your Work ends there, if there is a feedback you can proceed.
Remember one thing: [/b]NEVER ENTERTAIN ANYTHING UNLESS THE EMPLOYEE GIVES ALL DETAILS IN WRITING. HE MUST COMMUNICATE WITH THE COMPANY IN WRITING.
Regards,
SC
From India, Thane
Many things especially mobiles, expensive pens, watches get stolen from offices all over the world. Since, not only insiders but many customers, vendors, contractors and other agents enter the offices.
As Pradeep was saying that the person cannot hold the office responsible for theft. It becomes quite awkard also for the Company to get involve. Yes, checking can be done tactfully if the Manangement receives the information within an hour of occurence. Again, this should be done tactfully. The case of searching is very sensitive issue.But, in your case, please donot entertain. .Look even in High Security Defense establishments and Government Mints, theft of presonal belonging is not entertained. If he insists tell him to lodge a compliant with the Police with prior consent of appropriate Company authorities.
The other way is to ask him to lodge a complaint in writing and name the suspects. Initiate and disciplinary proceeding, conduct a Domestic Enquiry and take appropriate actions. If the person doesnot name any suspect then issue a notice and circulate among all asking for any information and paste a copy on the Notice Board. Your Work ends there, if there is a feedback you can proceed.
Remember one thing: [/b]NEVER ENTERTAIN ANYTHING UNLESS THE EMPLOYEE GIVES ALL DETAILS IN WRITING. HE MUST COMMUNICATE WITH THE COMPANY IN WRITING.
Regards,
SC
From India, Thane
Hi Swastik Thanks for your reply. I think you are right. I need to say him upfront that organisation is not responsible for this theft. Once again thanks a lot. Regards Sujata
From India, Faridabad
From India, Faridabad
Dear All,
Re: Mobile Theft in Office
Please do the following:
-1- Organise meeting of all staff including peons and sweepers and let Senior Most Staff mention that what has happened is very serious issue and if Management finds out the culprit then he will be sacked.
-2- Let each Staff Member be watchful because next time it could be your turn as we can not always be so careful. Sometimes in a hurry we keep wallet or mobile on desk and go for meeting
-3- Issue a circular stating Management is not responsible for any valuable or cash is stolen from office premises, include this in Service Manual.
-4- Improve Security by 'Management By Walking About'. The Senior Manager of HR or Admin should take a stroll twice a day of the entire office randomly to see what is happening in the office including Reception and Toilet. Enquire politely to few staff how are they and what they are doing if it is not their normal place of duty.
-5- Take a rollcall and check the arrival and departure timing of all staff particularly those who arrive early and those who sit late and check why they come early and why they sit late and what they actually do. Be polite and think positively.
-6- You will observe improvement in four weeks (max)
Good Luck and Let me know the Result
Govind
98338 90250
Re: Mobile Theft in Office
Please do the following:
-1- Organise meeting of all staff including peons and sweepers and let Senior Most Staff mention that what has happened is very serious issue and if Management finds out the culprit then he will be sacked.
-2- Let each Staff Member be watchful because next time it could be your turn as we can not always be so careful. Sometimes in a hurry we keep wallet or mobile on desk and go for meeting
-3- Issue a circular stating Management is not responsible for any valuable or cash is stolen from office premises, include this in Service Manual.
-4- Improve Security by 'Management By Walking About'. The Senior Manager of HR or Admin should take a stroll twice a day of the entire office randomly to see what is happening in the office including Reception and Toilet. Enquire politely to few staff how are they and what they are doing if it is not their normal place of duty.
-5- Take a rollcall and check the arrival and departure timing of all staff particularly those who arrive early and those who sit late and check why they come early and why they sit late and what they actually do. Be polite and think positively.
-6- You will observe improvement in four weeks (max)
Good Luck and Let me know the Result
Govind
98338 90250
Hi,
I feel that it is the sole responsibility of the employee to take care of his personal belongings. Though the mobile is given by the company for official usage, it is the responsibility of the employee to take fullest care of the instrument and protect it from these kind of incidents.
Regards,
Prabhakar Ch
Hyderabad
From India, Hyderabad
I feel that it is the sole responsibility of the employee to take care of his personal belongings. Though the mobile is given by the company for official usage, it is the responsibility of the employee to take fullest care of the instrument and protect it from these kind of incidents.
Regards,
Prabhakar Ch
Hyderabad
From India, Hyderabad
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