Theft investigation in the workplace is an all too common occurrence that companies must deal with. There are over 6,000 workers reported in 2022 stealing from their employers nationwide. That’s 1,000 more cases than reported in 2021. This 19% increase in workplace theft is likely due to the recent spike in inflation. From a serious theft crime such as finance fraud to a lesser theft crime, such as stealing utensils, how much theft really is going on in the American workplace? What are the motivations to do something so risky? And lastly, if you expect theft in your workplace, how can you open a theft investigation?
Types of Workplace Theft
- Financial Theft: A common and extremely damaging type of workplace theft is in banks and insurance companies, where a matured employee would steal money from the company. It is reported that more than 30% of businesses go bankrupt due to financial theft. In 2018, a study was done to investigate the motivation of the employee and the impact of theft on the business. This study documented over 200 incidents of financial theft over 12 years. They found that financial theft is usually committed by an employee, often times they hold a high position in the company. It is shown in the study that nearly half of financial theft is committed by an employee that has been working 5 years or more at the business. They usually are authorized to access sensitive account data.
The most common roles held by thieving employees were in management, cashiering, or accounting roles. Knowing all the ins and outs of the company makes it easy to steal. Although these employees went through background checks per the study’s observation, they still managed to steal an average total of $98,000 to $258,000. The primary motivation was unsurprisingly the idea of financial gain or even to support a gambling addiction.
- Possession theft: Have you eaten lunch at work and accidentally taken home the workplace utensil? This is considered possession theft. Although it is much less serious, risky, and has less obvious gain than financial theft, theft of workplace possessions is quite common. It can have a serious motivation or be accidental. Possession theft can leave an impact on the company, as the missing materials must be constantly replaced. The consistent spending can cause financial loss in the company.
Motivation
Aside from making money and forgetting to return utensils, there is a deeper motivation to workplace theft. Nearly 34% of millennials justify stealing from their job, according to a recent study. How is it possible to justify stealing even the smallest thing from the workplace?
April 15 is Steal Something From Work Day
This day is made to encourage employees to steal money, materials or information from their workplace. They focus especially on stealing information. The creators of this day believe that information is power, and public circulation of this sensitive information can control and destroy the so-called “repressive institutions”. They believe that society is headed towards economic disaster and authorities have not done anything to solve these issues. Employers of large companies are complicit with the destructive conditions we live in and employees are complacent. So, employees are encouraged to take down the businesses by releasing sensitive information and letting the public take control.
Opening a Theft Investigation
RGH Investigations uses advanced techniques to protect your workplace and employees while investigating a theft in the workplace. If you suspect missing funds, product, equipment or other items, RGH can help with a theft investigation.
Call us today at 312-981-8770.
