How to Catch an Employee Stealing

Protect Your Business

Dishonest employees are among the greatest challenges every business has to face. As a manager or business owner, you may notice unusual changes in the amount of money you take in on certain days or during certain shifts. This is oftentimes a clue that you have a dishonest employee.

Things You'll Need

• Surveillance camera
• Photocopier

Instructions

1. Don't tell your employees about your concerns. The dishonest employee may not be the one you suspect. Employees may tip off other employees of your concerns or mention it in casual conversation because it's juicy gossip.

2. Try to narrow down the days or shifts when your till seems to be off. This will give you a good idea about when the dishonest employee may be working.

3. Once you've narrowed it down to the shift or time, prepare a trap. You may need to set up a hidden surveillance camera (which you can get inexpensively at Radio Shack or online). These cameras often record and can be connected to a television monitor in the back room or via the web) and monitor the employees at the cash register, safe, or wherever the money is disappearing from. The best thing to do is have someone monitoring the employees in real time so you can confront the employee immediately after they take the money. If you have a recorder on your camera, it will record the images for when the employee tries to deny it or for when you call security/police.

4. If you start a new till or exchange one out during the shift, this will give you the opportunity to copy down the serial numbers on the bills (or photocopy them, if easier) in the till. When the employee denies taking any money out of the till and empties his/her pockets, purse, etc. you will be able to match up the serial numbers from the money you placed in the till to the money in the employee's possession.

5. Confront the employee immediately after the money is taken. It is wise to call security/police or have someone back you up as you approach the employee. If you can do it in a public place, the employee will be less likely to cause a scene.

6. Decide how you want to handle the situation. Besides firing the employee, you may wish to press charges. This will take time and effort and you may not get any money the employee previously stole back. Determine if it is worth your personal time and effort to pursue the matter.

References

• CNN/Money; Arresting Employee Theft; Nov. 13, 1997