employee theft - tanTALK

sun girl · 01-17-2007, 10:42 AM

Well, I've only been open for a month, and already I have an employee steeling from me. I have six employees, and I am pretty sure I know which one did it, but I don't have any proof. I was out of town last week on a vacation that was planned a long time ago. Bad time to leave, but hey, whose gonna pass up Jamaica when you've already paid for it? So, I came back, made a lotion order, and then started to restock my packettes on the counter. I have a cabinet organized with all of the packettes that are not on the counter. I have bags for each lotion company I carry. Anyway, I go to get out some Cal tan, and the entire bag of packettes is gone. All of them, gone. Every Cal tan packette I had under there. All in the same bag, all gone. I was sick to my stomach. My computer inventory says I am missing 26 packettes. The one I think took it....she's been my babysitter for four years. I've done everything for her, including taking her on vacations with my family. Her mom is a good friend of mine. I can not believe she would do this. So, I don't know if I should call them all together for a meeting and just tell them all that I know exactly what is missing, etc. and go over other issues, or, if I should not say anything for a while and see if I can catch her using it. I think though, that she is too smart to leave an empty packette in the trash can. I think she would take it with her and throw it away someplace else. I let them use some packettes in the beginning so they could get to know what they did, etc. to sell them better. But, before I left I told them that they should know which ones they liked by now, and that they could buy any kind they wanted from then on for 30% off. They tan free, and they get commission along with their hourly wage. I think that is fair. Plus, I just paid to have someone come here, onsite and have them all certified! So what do you think...meeting, or stay quiet and try to bust her?

Neon Beach · 01-17-2007, 10:45 AM

Set up a "sting" to weed out the bad one.

caribbeancolor · 01-17-2007, 10:48 AM

I'd punish them all! Then maybe you will make the guilty party feel her guilt and fess up. One thing I've learned...don't assume. 90% of the time you are WRONG! I always ask myself...."How could I have prevented .............?"

eileen · 01-17-2007, 10:53 AM

Did you install cameras yet? If not I would immediately. I don't think there's much you can do about what's already been stolen. It is very risky to assume you know who did something without having proof.

caribbeancolor · 01-17-2007, 11:00 AM

sun girl · 01-17-2007, 11:56 AM

Yeah, I know. That's why I haven't confronted her. I know it might be one of the others. I really do think it was her though. And, she usually is in here four times a week. She hasn't been here since last Thursday, which is the day that I think it happened. I do have cameras, however, they weren't hooked up. My husband was going to do that before we left and he got busy and never got around to it. That's our mistake. My girls were the last ones that I thought I had to worry about though.

BP · 01-17-2007, 12:00 PM

I'd have a team meeting about the theft. It is important that you let them all know you are aware of inventory levels and when something comes up missing you will know it. The sooner the better. You can't let this sit.

JIMJEN · 01-17-2007, 12:04 PM

I don't know how often you work but if it is everyday you could do inventory while you are there during the day. Then the following day - inventory again. There would be a clear pattern as to when stuff is missing assuming it is just 1 person doing the dirty deed.

JIMJEN · 01-17-2007, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BP

I'd have a team meeting about the theft. It is important that you let them all know you are aware of inventory levels and when something comes up missing you will know it. The sooner the better. You can't let this sit.

Along with a meeting - it is possible that they currently think you do not know what is going on - Employees like to think they are much smarter than you.

God luv 'em. (cuz someone's gotta)

caribbeancolor · 01-17-2007, 12:59 PM

They probably do think this if you left after only being open a month....they probably feel like they know more about the place than you do.

01-17-2007, 10:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
sun girl Join Date: Aug 22 2006 Location: on the coast of somewhere beautiful Posts: 118 Rep Power: 18	employee theft Well, I've only been open for a month, and already I have an employee steeling from me. I have six employees, and I am pretty sure I know which one did it, but I don't have any proof. I was out of town last week on a vacation that was planned a long time ago. Bad time to leave, but hey, whose gonna pass up Jamaica when you've already paid for it? So, I came back, made a lotion order, and then started to restock my packettes on the counter. I have a cabinet organized with all of the packettes that are not on the counter. I have bags for each lotion company I carry. Anyway, I go to get out some Cal tan, and the entire bag of packettes is gone. All of them, gone. Every Cal tan packette I had under there. All in the same bag, all gone. I was sick to my stomach. My computer inventory says I am missing 26 packettes. The one I think took it....she's been my babysitter for four years. I've done everything for her, including taking her on vacations with my family. Her mom is a good friend of mine. I can not believe she would do this. So, I don't know if I should call them all together for a meeting and just tell them all that I know exactly what is missing, etc. and go over other issues, or, if I should not say anything for a while and see if I can catch her using it. I think though, that she is too smart to leave an empty packette in the trash can. I think she would take it with her and throw it away someplace else. I let them use some packettes in the beginning so they could get to know what they did, etc. to sell them better. But, before I left I told them that they should know which ones they liked by now, and that they could buy any kind they wanted from then on for 30% off. They tan free, and they get commission along with their hourly wage. I think that is fair. Plus, I just paid to have someone come here, onsite and have them all certified! So what do you think...meeting, or stay quiet and try to bust her?

01-17-2007, 10:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
Neon Beach Join Date: Nov 30 2000 Location: Ontario Age: 61 Posts: 38,594 Rep Power: 107	Re: employee theft Set up a "sting" to weed out the bad one. __________________ www.talktimmins.com -- http://www.drjawnswebworx.com/

01-17-2007, 10:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
caribbeancolor Pea In A Pod Join Date: Mar 20 2006 Location: Missouri Age: 41 Posts: 258 Rep Power: 120	Re: employee theft I'd punish them all! Then maybe you will make the guilty party feel her guilt and fess up. One thing I've learned...don't assume. 90% of the time you are WRONG! I always ask myself...."How could I have prevented .............?" __________________ Brooke & Lillie

01-17-2007, 10:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
eileen Join Date: Feb 10 2005 Posts: 8,304 Rep Power: 35	Re: employee theft Did you install cameras yet? If not I would immediately. I don't think there's much you can do about what's already been stolen. It is very risky to assume you know who did something without having proof.

01-17-2007, 11:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
caribbeancolor Pea In A Pod Join Date: Mar 20 2006 Location: Missouri Age: 41 Posts: 258 Rep Power: 120	Re: employee theft __________________ Brooke & Lillie

01-17-2007, 11:56 AM	#6 (permalink)
sun girl Join Date: Aug 22 2006 Location: on the coast of somewhere beautiful Posts: 118 Rep Power: 18	Re: employee theft Yeah, I know. That's why I haven't confronted her. I know it might be one of the others. I really do think it was her though. And, she usually is in here four times a week. She hasn't been here since last Thursday, which is the day that I think it happened. I do have cameras, however, they weren't hooked up. My husband was going to do that before we left and he got busy and never got around to it. That's our mistake. My girls were the last ones that I thought I had to worry about though.

01-17-2007, 12:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
BP I love Derf!! Join Date: Apr 13 2004 Location: West Coast Age: 57 Posts: 436 Rep Power: 22	Re: employee theft I'd have a team meeting about the theft. It is important that you let them all know you are aware of inventory levels and when something comes up missing you will know it. The sooner the better. You can't let this sit.

01-17-2007, 12:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
JIMJEN I love Derf!! Join Date: Dec 6 2003 Posts: 405 Rep Power: 21	Re: employee theft I don't know how often you work but if it is everyday you could do inventory while you are there during the day. Then the following day - inventory again. There would be a clear pattern as to when stuff is missing assuming it is just 1 person doing the dirty deed. __________________ Wanna change my pad?

01-17-2007, 12:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
caribbeancolor Pea In A Pod Join Date: Mar 20 2006 Location: Missouri Age: 41 Posts: 258 Rep Power: 120	Re: employee theft They probably do think this if you left after only being open a month....they probably feel like they know more about the place than you do. __________________ Brooke & Lillie

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