Successful businesses get to that stage because they are diligent in terms of monitoring resources. They keep close tabs on financial transactions, they keep accurate records and they ensure legal compliance.
Many of these responsibilities are handed over to trustworthy employees. Nonetheless, anomalies can occur and sometimes employees may face accusations of misconduct, such as theft.
Here are some of the more common examples of theft that employees may be accused of.
Time theft
Time theft can occur in several ways. Essentially, it amounts to an employee claiming wages for time when they have not been working. For example, an employee may leave the office for several hours but claim to have never left. Or, they may arrive three hours late every day but claim to have arrived on time.
While this can be an internal disciplinary matter, in some cases, such as when an employee has falsified records, obtained large sums of money and acted fraudulently, time theft could be a criminal offense.
Data theft
Every company carries some form of data on their customers. This can include basic information like names and addresses, but it can also involve more complex information like bank accounts, credit card details, email logins and passwords, identification documents and social security numbers. Employees who have access to this information have a duty to keep it safe.
Identity theft is a white-collar crime that involves stealing another person’s identity details to commit unlawful activities. If an employee misappropriates data on clients and uses them for nefarious purposes, then identity theft charges are a real possibility.
Accusations of employee theft can be serious. It’s important to seek prompt legal guidance when facing any form of criminal charges.