Please let me know how to deal with and stop these kinds of acts. It is a small company with about 25 employees. One of the employees has just collected and left the Sodexo food coupon for the month on his desk, and someone has stolen it. I am not able to digest how a colleague can steal another's food coupon. A set of original CDs has been stolen. One of the customers was happy with the employee and left a chocolate pack on his table as a reward, but it was stolen. It is a very small company, and everyone knows one another so well; no outsider comes into the company. The employees are recruited through referrals only. Why is this happening and how can we stop this? Where is the mistake? It would be embarrassing to call the police. Please share your experience on this and let me know a way to solve this. Regards :confused: :(
From India, Madras
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From India, Madras
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Hi,
I have never faced such a situation as an HR. However, as you mentioned, your company is small with 25 employees. If I were in your position, I would call a meeting with all staff to address the situation. I would explain that three instances have occurred, which is quite shameful. I would urge anyone who may have taken something by mistake to return or replace it. Furthermore, I would emphasize that if anyone is caught red-handed, it will lead to a serious outcome. I would also ask everyone to report any suspicions they may have so that vigilance can be increased. Encourage people to be vigilant and careful.
Thank you.
From India, Chandigarh
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22I have never faced such a situation as an HR. However, as you mentioned, your company is small with 25 employees. If I were in your position, I would call a meeting with all staff to address the situation. I would explain that three instances have occurred, which is quite shameful. I would urge anyone who may have taken something by mistake to return or replace it. Furthermore, I would emphasize that if anyone is caught red-handed, it will lead to a serious outcome. I would also ask everyone to report any suspicions they may have so that vigilance can be increased. Encourage people to be vigilant and careful.
Thank you.
From India, Chandigarh
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Hi Neha,
Thank you for the quick reply. We have had a staff meeting and discussed what you have suggested. I was thinking aloud that when everyone is paid well, why should someone do it? Is it due to education, upbringing, poverty, or something else that is driving people to do this? And what should we do to stop it?
From India, Madras
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Thank you for the quick reply. We have had a staff meeting and discussed what you have suggested. I was thinking aloud that when everyone is paid well, why should someone do it? Is it due to education, upbringing, poverty, or something else that is driving people to do this? And what should we do to stop it?
From India, Madras
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Sad situation.
As far as the Sodexo coupons go... each booklet has a code. If you maintain the list of codes and which booklet is given to which employee, that's good. You can announce the code to your employees. The thief will surely get scared and might return. Once the person is scared, he might stop.
Another option is when something (such as a chocolate box that gets lost) which can be easily identified once found; just suddenly announce a surprise check. This can be done by employees themselves, or else the security staff can do it. Even if you do not wish to do the check, just make the announcement, that from now on we will hold surprise checks and nobody can oppose it. This might work.
I don't think holding more discussions would help at all. You are dealing with a shameless thief; you must portray a stern attitude.
Regards, Shikha
From India, Mumbai
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As far as the Sodexo coupons go... each booklet has a code. If you maintain the list of codes and which booklet is given to which employee, that's good. You can announce the code to your employees. The thief will surely get scared and might return. Once the person is scared, he might stop.
Another option is when something (such as a chocolate box that gets lost) which can be easily identified once found; just suddenly announce a surprise check. This can be done by employees themselves, or else the security staff can do it. Even if you do not wish to do the check, just make the announcement, that from now on we will hold surprise checks and nobody can oppose it. This might work.
I don't think holding more discussions would help at all. You are dealing with a shameless thief; you must portray a stern attitude.
Regards, Shikha
From India, Mumbai
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You can also take preventive measures by allocating lockers and instructing employees to take care of their belongings themselves so that thieves may not have the opportunity to steal valuable items from others.
You can issue a memorandum stating that anyone caught stealing will face punitive action, including termination, depending on the severity of the offense.
By implementing these actions, you will provide a written warning to potential thieves, which may deter them from committing crimes and justify any disciplinary action taken if they are caught in the future.
From Pakistan, Islamabad
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You can issue a memorandum stating that anyone caught stealing will face punitive action, including termination, depending on the severity of the offense.
By implementing these actions, you will provide a written warning to potential thieves, which may deter them from committing crimes and justify any disciplinary action taken if they are caught in the future.
From Pakistan, Islamabad
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I was a victim of such theft when once my discount card was stolen by some employee. However, it turned out that this was done in jest.
Install closed-circuit cameras within the office. This will help as employees will be aware of being under constant vigilance. Additionally, the steps suggested by other members must be applied too.
Best wishes.
From India, Mumbai
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Install closed-circuit cameras within the office. This will help as employees will be aware of being under constant vigilance. Additionally, the steps suggested by other members must be applied too.
Best wishes.
From India, Mumbai
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Hi,
It's really a bad situation because of a single person, the entire office is being affected negatively. Normally, these kinds of situations happen in many workplaces, but people often do not share it.
To prevent this from happening:
Implement a locker system for employees.
Conduct a general meeting or get-together to discuss and share about this issue in a friendly manner.
Consider installing cameras in the office for monitoring purposes.
Thank you.
From India, Madras
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It's really a bad situation because of a single person, the entire office is being affected negatively. Normally, these kinds of situations happen in many workplaces, but people often do not share it.
To prevent this from happening:
Implement a locker system for employees.
Conduct a general meeting or get-together to discuss and share about this issue in a friendly manner.
Consider installing cameras in the office for monitoring purposes.
Thank you.
From India, Madras
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Hi,
I faced this kind of situation in my company. The preventive measures which were taken were: Firstly, I called for a meeting where the employees were informed that whoever has done it intentionally, I request them to go to the canteen where people can be seen less. This way, if the person who has done it is seen, they will be embarrassed. Furthermore, in the meeting, I announced that I am giving an hour to all employees and to that person as well. To my surprise, it was found there within an hour.
If it had not been found, I would have called for another meeting. My next plan of action would have been to announce to everyone that I am going for a complete check and nobody will be allowed to leave. With the increase in funds and the consent of company officials, we had a camera installed. As a result, no more such cases have occurred. This change brought about many advantages.
From India, Jodhpur
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I faced this kind of situation in my company. The preventive measures which were taken were: Firstly, I called for a meeting where the employees were informed that whoever has done it intentionally, I request them to go to the canteen where people can be seen less. This way, if the person who has done it is seen, they will be embarrassed. Furthermore, in the meeting, I announced that I am giving an hour to all employees and to that person as well. To my surprise, it was found there within an hour.
If it had not been found, I would have called for another meeting. My next plan of action would have been to announce to everyone that I am going for a complete check and nobody will be allowed to leave. With the increase in funds and the consent of company officials, we had a camera installed. As a result, no more such cases have occurred. This change brought about many advantages.
From India, Jodhpur
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Hi,
I agree with what Shikha has to say. You need to take definite action which sends out a message to the culprit that the organization will make all efforts to reach and catch him. The cost of not acting in this situation will be much worse; it will convey a message that one can get away with such acts in the company. Today, the theft is of things which are of not much significance or value; tomorrow it could be related to the intellectual property of the company. This is a big issue with organizations nowadays.
Regards,
Rajesh Naik
From India, Baleshwar
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I agree with what Shikha has to say. You need to take definite action which sends out a message to the culprit that the organization will make all efforts to reach and catch him. The cost of not acting in this situation will be much worse; it will convey a message that one can get away with such acts in the company. Today, the theft is of things which are of not much significance or value; tomorrow it could be related to the intellectual property of the company. This is a big issue with organizations nowadays.
Regards,
Rajesh Naik
From India, Baleshwar
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My friend,
Generally, those who commit such petty thefts would talk more. Through the grapevine method, propagate news that you have found out who is involved in all the thefts. The person(s) involved in them would talk more as if he/she is not involved. To add some fear psychosis, stare at every one of them with a prying and probing gaze; the culprit will show over-confidence and unperturbed postures and gestures through his/her body language. Try these - very interesting and easy. At the same time, your interpretation should be accurate.
All the best.
Ganesh - Manager (Admin.) DCW Limited - Freelance HR Trainer, Psychological Counsellor, Hypnotherapist, Reiki Master & Healer.
From India, Tiruppur
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Generally, those who commit such petty thefts would talk more. Through the grapevine method, propagate news that you have found out who is involved in all the thefts. The person(s) involved in them would talk more as if he/she is not involved. To add some fear psychosis, stare at every one of them with a prying and probing gaze; the culprit will show over-confidence and unperturbed postures and gestures through his/her body language. Try these - very interesting and easy. At the same time, your interpretation should be accurate.
All the best.
Ganesh - Manager (Admin.) DCW Limited - Freelance HR Trainer, Psychological Counsellor, Hypnotherapist, Reiki Master & Healer.
From India, Tiruppur
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Hello,
I have a very simple solution. What is gone won't be returned back. No one is going to return and say by mistake he/she took, but further things can be controlled. Why not you people fix up some CCTV cameras in every room? 😊
From India, Pune
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I have a very simple solution. What is gone won't be returned back. No one is going to return and say by mistake he/she took, but further things can be controlled. Why not you people fix up some CCTV cameras in every room? 😊
From India, Pune
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Hi .. Ramanarg Saab .. I will appreciate ur suggestion ..its just fitting to what u have with u .. i.e Psycological councellor ..etc ..8-). Shrawan Kumar
From India, Bhubaneswar
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From India, Bhubaneswar
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:-) Interesting... Steeling from one's own colleagues?!!!
While I personally did not have anything stolen from my desk (yet), there were some at the companies I worked with that had the unfortunate experience. I also saw emails from them to the entire group/company saying things such as, "The book ABCs of Management, which was on my desk, is now missing. If you have borrowed it and forgot to leave a note, please let me know. Thank you in advance, for returning it after reading. Hope you learn something from it (especially in the area of ethics and integrity)." Or "Whoever took the box of chocolates from my desk, hope you enjoy the stolen chocolates more than my 3-year old son/daughter, for whom I bought them."
I have seen several such emails - the idea behind them being, making the thief feel guilty for his/her actions and never repeat it. If a perishable item is stolen from your desk, you won't be getting it back for sure. However, what you could do is to make the person feel guilty and never repeat it. Sending such emails to everyone in the org (or the company) makes people aware of such petty theft incidents (making them be more careful) and also makes the thief feel more guilty than usual.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
--SG
From United States, Woodinville
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While I personally did not have anything stolen from my desk (yet), there were some at the companies I worked with that had the unfortunate experience. I also saw emails from them to the entire group/company saying things such as, "The book ABCs of Management, which was on my desk, is now missing. If you have borrowed it and forgot to leave a note, please let me know. Thank you in advance, for returning it after reading. Hope you learn something from it (especially in the area of ethics and integrity)." Or "Whoever took the box of chocolates from my desk, hope you enjoy the stolen chocolates more than my 3-year old son/daughter, for whom I bought them."
I have seen several such emails - the idea behind them being, making the thief feel guilty for his/her actions and never repeat it. If a perishable item is stolen from your desk, you won't be getting it back for sure. However, what you could do is to make the person feel guilty and never repeat it. Sending such emails to everyone in the org (or the company) makes people aware of such petty theft incidents (making them be more careful) and also makes the thief feel more guilty than usual.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
--SG
From United States, Woodinville
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Hi Murali,
I am a handwriting analyst, and I would recommend that you go for the handwriting analysis of these employees. I am sure that based on their handwriting, we would get the solution to this problem. I am enclosing a small presentation on the importance of handwriting for personal development.
Our handwriting speaks volumes about ourselves to others, showing the way we are. Good handwriting (and correct alphabet formation) inculcates basic values like honesty, compassion, persistence, courage, responsibility, etc.
I would appreciate it if you could revert back on this.
Regards,
Sheel
Handwriting Analyst
9833589787
From India, Kalyan
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I am a handwriting analyst, and I would recommend that you go for the handwriting analysis of these employees. I am sure that based on their handwriting, we would get the solution to this problem. I am enclosing a small presentation on the importance of handwriting for personal development.
Our handwriting speaks volumes about ourselves to others, showing the way we are. Good handwriting (and correct alphabet formation) inculcates basic values like honesty, compassion, persistence, courage, responsibility, etc.
I would appreciate it if you could revert back on this.
Regards,
Sheel
Handwriting Analyst
9833589787
From India, Kalyan
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What is in my mind is to educate the employees on ethics. If a trainer is recruited and the employees are trained in values and ethics, it will result in changing the employees' attitudes.
Regards,
Nasir FIGAR
From Afghanistan, Kabul
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Regards,
Nasir FIGAR
From Afghanistan, Kabul
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Hi Friends, Fix up cameras everywhere, this is what we did it in our company. Thx & rgds, Uma.
From India, Calcutta
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From India, Calcutta
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