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I have accumulated quite a few stories involving employees that were inappropriately discharged for actions their employers consider theft. After reading each example each of you will agree that none of these employees hurt anyone and caused no real harm to their employer and their actions could have been ignored or they simply could have received a mild reprimand and forgiveness. There are too many companies with workers that give their best and they do not receive proper reward or compensation, therefore, slight indiscretions make up for a company’s lack of acknowledgement of a job well done. Ninety Nine percent of their work is exemplary and they are released for a simple error in judgment, or misunderstanding of company policy. Why not allow the employee to scratch out a few more pennies of perks from their job and right it of as well invested business expense. The following stories could not possibly provoke each of you to discharge these individuals from employment knowing that they may have families to care for and bills to pay.
Bill was a new manager of a local grocery store. He had to make sure he looked professional so he just knew his employer would not mind if he borrowed some cleaning soap, rags, a water hose, and a little time on the clock by the back door during his shift to wash and wax his car.
Carol knew that the company she worked with made over 280 million dollars a year. She knew she was the only one that handled the cash at the company branch she worked in and no one else really knew the totals. She knew her corporate managers and local manager would not notice the $30,000 she slowly siphoned off in 10 weeks.
Teresa just got a great new roll top desk at home with a new computer. She needed to outfit the new rig and decided that her employer would not miss the stapler, pencils, pens, paper, computer disks, and other items.
Johnny really enjoyed calling his new friends on the 1-900 numbers that he found in his magazines. He knew that his company’s phone bill consisted of many, many pages of itemized numbers and no one would notice the excess charges even if the were $300-$500 a month.
Linda enjoyed serving food to her patrons. She had worked for four years with the restaurant and did not think it would be a problem to take a few ribeye steaks for a dinner party. After all, some customers threw away more steak than she was taking.
Andrew was hungry. He had money and he had food at home but he always woke up to late to fix his lunch or forgot to get something. However, he knew that the ladies that worked in the manufacturing facility where he worked would have plenty of lunches to choose from in the break room refrigerator. If he needed to get a lunch a day or two a week, he was sure that the slightly overweight women would appreciate him eating it for them.
Dave knew he did not make enough money with his current employer. They offered great insurance and benefits but his hourly pay was below par. He was not constantly supervised so it was easy to use his work truck and tools to do a little side work for cash. He was able to accomplish all his work, so a little side work shouldn’t be a problem.
Randy loved rodeo and it led him to be an amateur bull rider. He enjoyed the smell of the rodeo arena and the yell of the crowds as they released he and his bull from the pen. One Sunday he took a hard fall and may have torn a muscle in his back. Luckily, he was able to get out of bed the next morning and make it to work. After one hour of work as a warehouse worker he told his supervisor he twisted his back lifting a box. Subsequently, he was out of work for 8 weeks. His company’s worker’s comp insurance was the only reason he was able to pay his bills and heal for the next rodeo.
This is only a sampling of the stories with which I have first hand experience. My hope is that each of you when reading this realized the each individual fired was positively, without reservation, given exactly what they deserved. You hopefully realized quickly that the first paragraph was simply trying to see if you screamed "Darn right!" are "Are you crazy!". My hope is that your work ethic behavior value system does not consider the people in the stories martyrs of the rich employers who take advantage of their employees. My expectations for employees have wavered over the years but I have approached each new person and new employee with a naïve sense off trust for each new individual. Giving each person the benefit of the doubt seems a fairer approach that distrusting people immediately. Obviously, a person can build and strengthen trust over time, but each needs an initial bit to show their true heart. If you have ever interviewed anyone and asked “Are you honest?" you will find that everyone says “Yes, of course!" Unfortunately, not all who answer are being candid. I think it would be a nice change if people would let me know that “No, please do not misplace your trust in me for I will disappoint you and steal from you and the company because you have more that I do and I want it for me and my family."
Hourly, salary, blue collar, white collar, rookie, or professional are all represented in the stories above. One individual was even a weekend pastor at a small church. At what point do people decide that taking things that do not belong to them is acceptable? Many will attempt in vain to justify inapt conduct with a Robin Hood justification thought process of taking from the “haves" by the “have nots" as being the way life is. Spend a little too much time surfing the net during work? Cheat on your taxes? Keep excess change that is not yours? Steal an identity? How would you answer the question “Are you honest"?
» left by Avis Ward(11,404) Avis Ward (1 year 169 days ago.)
Jon, I read this and said, "wait, he's got to be kidding!" But immediately, I knew better. Very clever. I was amazed at all of these examples and moreso to discover you've encountered them so they are true. And a weekend Pastor? Wow. It boggles the mind. Nicely done, Jon. Respond to this comment
1. Not associating the items with anyone in particular. In other words the people involved would never in a million years think of it as stealing and when you pointed out it was they would on the whole be horrified.
2. Then there is the element of excitement of doing something you shouldn't be doing, it's not as risky as shoplifting but they may get a small thrill anyway.
3. Then of course you have the ' I hate my boss so I'll phone my pal in Australia (calling from the UK) ' or 'I'll take this stapler home'. They see it as a sneak revenge attack the same way restaurant workers might do horrid unmentionable things to food that is returned with a complaint (and they always do by the way!)
4. OR they at least use the 'hate my boss' element as justification for their otherwise immoral behaviour.
5. They are compulsive thieves and take what they can, when they can from whomever! Respond to this comment
Circa 1988 a female (not me!) fell off a ladder she should not have been up at work and hurt her knee. She aquired £40,000 compensation (bought a house with it!) by saying she in fact did the damage tripping over a bit of wrapping that had been left on the floor. Respond to this comment
» left by James Carrick(91) (1 year 169 days ago.)
Interesting article, Jon. As I read each example I wondered if I would be okay with any of them, but upon conclusion decided each was stealing despite the rationalization. Stealing is stealing...period! Good job! Respond to this comment
» left by robert T melaccio (1 year 169 days ago.)
As you know, many times people justify stealing because they think they are not paid adequately, or that the item stolen is minor, like supplies, or they are somehow entitled to it. How about the person who isn't sick but calls in sick or the person that takes the time and then erases it as if they were there, or has someone else punch them in and then takes the good attendance award, or that extra long lunch or leave early. Oh, its only time. The list is endless. Wal Mart used to have a training program which basically said 10% of people are honest, 10% are out right bad and the rest of the 80% could go either way depending on the circumstances. As for me I agree with you, you steal you sin regardless of the circumstances. It really is all about character and morality. Respond to this comment
» left by James P Krehbiel(1,366) James P Krehbiel (1 year 169 days ago.)
Jon,
In my opinion, the most significant theft occurs from the employers, not the employees. They just happen to be more slick and have the ability to cover their tracks. As an example, many managed care companies have been ripping off providers and insurance carriers while making astronomical salaries. Excellent article! Respond to this comment
» left by Creative Blogger(7,370) Creative Blogger (1 year 168 days ago.)
Interesting point JPK (above) - adding to the 'employers stealing from employee's' idea, we have time theft. The fact many employees work unpaid overtime. Then we have service theft, where employee's are asked to do tasks which are not part of their job description and are often fulfilling tasks that should be part of a more highly paid post. Respond to this comment
» left by Hannah Quinn(20,007) Hannah Quinn (1 year 168 days ago.)
Cleverly written, Jon. Yes, stealing is stealing and it is all too easy to rationalise wrong behaviour. You had me reading and saying: 'What? Are you serious?' And a wry smile and relief when I saw you were 'catching' us out. Well done.
» left by Jean Horst(951) Jean Horst (1 year 168 days ago.)
Jon,
My husband spent 5 years as a corporate manager for a national electronics chain. He has many stories from that era that are almost identical to yours - even down to the bit about one of his thieving employees being a weekend pastor. I didn't know whether to be amused or worried! Respond to this comment
» left by the screwed from tucson az (328 days 1 hour ago.)
no my boss is steeling hours from me for the last 6 mo he has been shaving hours from everybody it started when work was getting slow at least 10 people have been laid off or fired for looking for full time work i have been working for this company for 10 years what should i do. the screwed. Respond to this comment
» left by Jon Searles(1,296) Jon Searles (327 days 3 hours ago.)
I have known bosses like this also. Unless you currently work for a Fortune 500 company that is stealing from you, I would find a new job. It will not do you any good to share this information with a new employer in the interview since most would just consider it sour grapes. Just let them know that after 10 years you need a new work environment. You spend too much time at work to not enjoy it. There is nothing like a good hard days work for someone who appreciates it and rewards you properly. Best of luck. Respond to this comment
» left by Jon Searles(1,296) Jon Searles (327 days 3 hours ago.)
I have known bosses like this also. Unless you currently work for a Fortune 500 company that is stealing from you, I would find a new job. It will not do you any good to share this information with a new employer in the interview since most would just consider it sour grapes. Just let them know that after 10 years you need a new work environment. You spend too much time at work to not enjoy it. There is nothing like a good hard days work for someone who appreciates it and rewards you properly. Best of luck. Respond to this comment
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