Is employee theft on the rise?

It depends, if your going to Mexx, Guess, or any other high priced merchandise store that clearly inflates their prices for their margins. I don't think it's wrong to receive family discounts from employees. It's not theft, and the company is still making money.

However, if it's a mom and pop operation local shop something of the sort where it will hinder the owners than of course it carries a different level of morality.

The big name chains don't suffer at all, let's be serious. Theft is theft, it's wrong. However hooking up a friend or relative with a discounted price can hardly be considered criminal or damaging to the company. They would still be turning in a profit.

Armani shirts cost upwards of $120 and cost less than $10 to make. Now who's more morally wrong?

John

You don't get it, a company can charge what it wants and the market place will decide to support it or not. Your assumption it makes too much money(or loses) is non of your business, especially since you have not invested a penny or a second of effort.

You have basicaaly admitted you are dishonest, take a long look at yourself in the mirror , hope you like what see

H

If you think someone is stealing you have to post their name and what they took in the lunch room so everyone knows. Employee's who steal might make the company move to China and should have their hands cut off !

To hg,
In your response to John's comment, it would've been nice if you able to spell correctly and actually used spellcheck, otherwise how can anyone take your response seriously. So take a look in YOUR mirror and perhaps DICTIONARY and I REALLY hope you like what YOU see.

I completely agree with John's post.

To Richard: Are you serious? What a stupid thing to do.

Most of these big name companies already have most of their 'stuff' made in places like China and Cambodia, and it's not because of employee theft.

The majority of the people that work at these big company stores are making minimum wage, just barely scraping by a living. No wonder there is employee theft. Maybe if these rich big business owners want to reduce theft, they should start treating their employees better by paying them a living wage.

If you look at a company that treats its employees well, offers benefits, are family friendly, pays sick days etc.... AND pays them enough to live, employee theft is practically UNHEARD of.

@John - I am sorry you feel the way you do, but dishonest is dishonest. Big or small, someone along the way suffers. Whether or not they suffer very much or very little it make's no difference. Theft is theft.

@MDee If you don't like the policies of a particular company then don't shop there.

To answer the original question: If an employee steals then fire them.

I say screw the big guy's pass it on....

@Anon - "If you don't like the policies of a particular company then don't shop there." I'd like to know exactly where you shop that you agree with all the policies? Name one retailer that doesn't profit from child labour, outsourcing, shameful environmental practices and shoddy working conditions for their employees. Unless you make your own clothes, you are basically saying you agree with all of the above, but disagree with employee discount misuse. Hypocrite.

It's really crappy when you suspect your supervisor of passing those discounts on to her buddies and taking freebies including money. I was in a situation where I was sure it was happening but it was hard to come up with proof. I was sure if I said anything and the owners talked to her she was going to twist things so that I was going to lose my job. She was already bullying me regularly and hindsight says it was because I was the one who was most likely going to catch her. In the end she left and yep I was right. Lots of stuff didn't add up right.

PJ: HJ was right. Whether he can spell or not is not the issue.
Phil: Really? Screw the big guys? And pass it on?? Let me guess: you are a 40 year virgin that lives in your mother's basement....and you don't have a job.

The best thing to do when you see a co-worker stealing is to report it to management immediately. Doing nothing could meaning that you are condoning the co-worker's wrongdoing and that sooner or later you could perhaps be implicated too.

hg don't judge. You do not know me. If you are calling me dishonest for making a post on a website, I would surely rather be a little less judgemental than dishonest in this case.

Also, there is a discernible difference between theft, or receiving items at discounted prices. What if an employee has no family he can't pass it along to his friends?

Spring sales... Back-to-school sales... X-Mas sales... Boxing Day sales... Discount coupons... VIP customer discounts... No Tax sales... 10-15-20% off sales... Price matching. In EVERY case... the retailer is STILL making a profit. All they're doing is moving inventory. Employee discounts !!! Same difference. Whether the employee gives a small discount to family or friends... the retailer is still making a sale AND a profit. No big deal and certainly NOT theft. Theft is when you steal it and DON'T pay for it !!

Whether or not the "big guy" is making crazy profits or not gives no one the right to cut into their profits. As stated by Chip "Spring sales... Back-to-school sales... X-Mas sales... Boxing Day sales... Discount coupons... VIP customer discounts... No Tax sales... 10-15-20% off sales... Price matching." Are designed to move product along at discount prices for those unwilling to fork over the dollars for things they want. However, using this justification to do it yourself is NOT just. If you don't want to pay high, prices by cheaper brands. If you feel that you deserve a discount because someone else is making so much money from you then maybe you really need to be informed that you are not that unique or special. Can't afford expensive clothes or all the toys you want? Make more money. Feel that your employer rides you like a slave to make profit on your hard work? You work in retail, what do you expect having one of the least responsible jobs available second to fast food. . . get a better education, work your ass off and move up or find your own creative idea to profit on. We, believe it or not, choose who we work for. This is North America. You have the opportunity to do whatever you want if you are willing to apply yourself. Suck it up. Nobody cares about your opinion or justification. If you wouldn't do something with your boss standing beside you then you shouldn't do it at work.

I would treat a Company like they treat there employee's, if a company treats there employees like shit, and expects them to be happy, with Pay, that is only reasonable to someone living with there parents, yeah, they deserved to get fucked, No Benefits, etc. But, I personally, I've been really satisfied with my last current jobs, and, I am currently at the Oil Pipelines right now, and I honestly think I'm being over payed. Some Companies deserved to get shit on, Customers can be Dishonest and Greedy, just as, Companies can be.

We need to remember that it is everyone else who pays for theft....not the company. I worked retail for many years and shrinkage was calculated and prices were increased accordingly. Thiose who think they " stuck it" to the company just cost everyone else shopping there a few cents.

you better think if your pension is still there,doubt it,not likely,,,take what you ca before bernie gets it ,,lol,,

there is no excuse for an employee stealing from his/her employer. Sure times are stiff,employment isn't what its cracked up to be-this is why its called WORK.
Don't get me wrong I enjoy my job yet some days are better than other. Being unhappy in your employment is definitely no excuse for thievery. Those who look away when they spot an elderly customer stuffing a candy bar or socks(unpaid for) under their sweater or etc,are doing the elderly pilferer a vast disservice-to be sure the incident should be handle with care but it should be handle because from 0 t to the aged-- there should be a zero tolerance for shoplifting.

co-worker theft is also on the rise. I work in this place where co-workers are getting purses,coats, cellphones,boots, shoes,etc stolen from them. Where I work,there are cameras everywhere. They steal in the lockerrooms,bathrooms,(no cameras). There is no excuse for this.
This company pays its employees well,benefits,pension,pays sick days.