NCJ Number
15107
Date Published
1973
Length
380 pages
Annotation
EXAMINATION OF THE CAUSES OF EMPLOYEE THEFT, WHO STEALS AND WHY, AND WHAT THE RETAILER CAN DO TO CREATE A CLIMATE OF HONESTY, TO ELIMINATE INDIVIDUALS WHO CORRUPT THE WORK FORCE, AND TO CLOSE TEMPTING PROCEDURAL LOOPHOLES.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR MAINTAINS THAT THE MAJOR CAUSE OF EMPLOYEE THEFT IS POOR MANAGEMENT AS EVIDENCED BY A LACK OF ADEQUATE CONTROLS AND UNREALISTIC PERSONNEL POLICIES WHICH AFFECT EMPLOYEE MORALE. HE ARGUES THAT BY ELIMINATING THE CHARACTERISTIC EMOTIONS THAT TRIGGER THEFT-AGGRESSION AND FRUSTRATION, PLUS THE LOW ANTICIPATION OF BEING CAUGHT, THE RETAILER CAN CURB HIS LOSSES SIGNIFICANTLY. ADVICE IS GIVEN IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: SCREENING NEW APPLICANTS; SPOTTING THE HIGH-RISK EMPLOYEE; COMMON METHODS OF EMPLOYEE THEFT; USING HONESTY SHOPPERS AND UNDERCOVER DETECTIVE; INTERROGATING SUSPECTS; FRONT-END AND GENERAL CONTROLS; AND MOST IMPORTANT, HOW TO ENCOURAGE HONESTY AMONG EMPLOYEES THROUGH MORALE-BUILDING PROGRAMS. AN ALPHABETICAL INDEX IS PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)