Access Profiles, Inc.

In this 3 Part Series, we will take a look at Employees who can put Your Small Business in Danger. First up ~ Employees Who Steal!

Employee theft is not uncommon. Billions of dollars are lost each year by employee theft, fraud, and embezzlement. And many times the employee that you least expect is responsible.

While workplace theft is harmful to any business, the effect that it has on a Small Business can be devastating.

Take a look at these Employee Theft Statistics released by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners* on September 7, 2015:

• Percent of Annual Revenue Lost to Theft or Fraud     7%
• Percent of Employees Who have Stolen at Least Once from their Employer     75%
• Percent of Employees Who Have Stolen at Least Twice from their Employer     37.5%
• Percent of Business Bankruptcies Caused by Employee Theft         33%

The statistic on businesses that go bankrupt due to employee theft was the most startling.  The reality is that many Small businesses operate on a small budget. They simply cannot withstand the loss of revenue or inventory. Even one act of theft can have an impact on a small business's bottom line.  

And as a result, your dream of running your own business is put in jeopardy. 




But first, it is important to know some common reasons why employee theft occurs in the first place.

Why employees steal:
Most frequently, employee theft is a result of personal financial problems. A gambling debt or escalating expenses like increasing mortgage payments or medical bills, can all be a factor.

Your employee might turn to stealing from your company as an easy solution to their problems. They will convince themselves that it is a “victimless” crime, that it won’t harm your business, and even that they run little risk of getting caught.

However, no matter what rationale they may use to justify their behavior, stealing from your company can have a lasting effect on the foundation of your small business.

If you are really paying attention, the warning signs are there.

Most employee theft will occur in your accounting, bookkeeping, and finance departments. You will need to be aware of any significant changes in the behavior of any employees who work in those departments. Anything that gives you pause or raises your internal red flag is where you will need to focus your vigilance.    

Look for these signs:  

• Employees Who are Suddenly Stressed or Complain about Finances ~

Complaining about having trouble paying bills or even difficulty providing for necessities (food, clothing, rent/mortgage).

• Employees Who are Living Beyond their Means ~ 

Suddenly bragging about big ticket purchases (luxury cars, vacations), a significant jump in the quality of their work wardrobe, unusual spending, etc.

• Employees Who Insist on Working Solo or Who Never Take Vacations ~ 

Even when swamped, they insist that they can handle the work load alone and need no one else's input or help. This should raise a strong red flag, especially if they handle your books. The bottom line, they fear being discovered if anyone else has access.  

• Employees Who Suddenly Change their Work Habits ~ 

All of a sudden, they are coming in early and staying late. You find that they are now the first ones in the office and the last to leave. This should only be a concern if it is something out of character.  

• Employees Who Submit Questionable Travel Expenses ~ 

This is not a cause for alarm if it is a one time thing. But employees who persistently turn in travel expenses that are missing receipts or that exceed amounts allowable for travel or client dinners need to be checked. 

• Unusual or Persistent Accounting Discrepancies ~ 

Are you suddenly experiencing problems meeting payroll? Are there inconsistencies between an employees’ work hours and hours paid?

• An Ongoing or Sudden Problem with Petty Cash ~ 

Is the amount of cash on hand being spent more quickly than usual? Does the amount fail to reconcile against the withdrawals listed in a ledger or collected receipts?

• Inventory is Missing ~

The inventory of products you sell does not match against your books or receipts for what is being sold. Even if small items like office supplies (paper, pens, folders, printing supplies) that you should have in storage are missing or being used more quickly than usual.  


  

#SmallBiz #BackgroundChecks

• Screen Job Applicants Thoroughly   

This should be your first step in helping to prevent employee theft. Before hiring, a Background Check should be performed on any applicants you are considering for hire. It should, at the very least, include a criminal history check. As the position warrants, you may need to look at civil court records, driver license violations, as well as verification of education, past employment (including reasons for leaving), and references.

Find out more about fitting the Background Check to the Job Here!

• Develop a Strong “Zero Tolerance” Policy on Employee Theft 

This should be your second step when it comes to helping prevent employee theft. Write a policy that lists anything you consider to be theft and the consequences of the theft being discovered. You also need to be clear that you intend to file charges with your local police department if you find any employee is stealing from your company.

Be sure to put your policy in writing and distribute it to all new and existing employees. Have them sign a statement that they have read and understand your policy.

Also set up a system where employees can anonymously report suspected incidents of employee theft ~ and be ready to follow up on them.

The key is to send the message that employee theft will not be tolerated.

• Never Allow Only Person to Control any Aspect of Your Company Finances  

This is where checks and balances are critical. No one employee should ever be responsible for sending out the bills, collecting payments, and making bank deposits.

Be sure all incoming checks are endorsed “for deposit only”. You might even want to set up a system where larger checks must be handled by more than one employee. As the owner, you should personally inspect all bank statements and look for any red flags ~ checks out of order, unusual payees, etc.  

Conduct periodic “surprise” audits on all your books in addition to having a yearly professional audit. Check for any unusual activity or payments being made to a person or company you don’t recognize. 

• Form Strong Relationships with Your Employees 

Make sure you are “out and about” within your company. Always treat your employees with integrity and honesty. Get to know them ~ their names, families, etc. This will help make you more aware of any unusual behavior or if they are acting “out of the ordinary”. Having a strong relationship may also help prevent employee theft from happening in the first place. It is much harder to steal from someone that you know and have come to respect.    

#SmBiz #EmployeeTheft

If you suspect an employee is stealing from you, You Should: 

•  Document Clearly Each Known or Suspected Instance of Theft 

Include dates and times discovered and what was taken. Let your employees know that you are investigating (it may actually prevent further theft).

• Check All Your Records for Any Inconsistencies 

Make note of any entries and totals that don’t match. Include ingoing and outgoing inventory against sales.

• Interview Your Employees 

Let them know exactly what you suspect. Meet with them privately. Your honest employees will be much more apt to share anything they know if it is done one on one.

• Be Ready to Follow Up on Your Findings 

Your employees need to know that you take employee theft seriously. Follow your company policy, even if it includes termination or prosecution.



The knowledge begins with knowing as much about your employees as possible both before and after you hire them. This begins with strong screening tools and continues with frequent interaction between employers and employees.  

In most cases, employers who take the time to build a trusting and open relationship with their employees will never have to deal with employee theft.

However, turning a blind eye to potential red flags is never in your best interest. Paying attention to the warning signs and questioning anything that seems “off” could save your small business from ruin.   

Authored by   









* Source: Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Easy Small Business HR, Institute for Corporate Productivity, Jack L. Hayes International, Inc.
http://www.statisticbrain.com/employee-theft-statistics/