NCJ Number
101816
Journal
Security Management Volume: 30 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1986) Pages: 38-42
Date Published
1986
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This study reports results of an analysis of the 453 employee theft reports compiled by investigators of the Service Merchandise Co. during 1984; suggestions for preventing employee theft are offered.
Abstract
The majority of the employees caught stealing were young (median age of 20.8 years), male (63 percent), employed full time (60 percent), and committed their theft alone (78 percent). Half were apprehended within 4 months of their hiring, and 42 percent of these were caught within 1 month after being hired. Seventy-eight percent were in the following job positions: warehouse expeditor/stocker, self-service sales, jewelry sales/receivers, showroom cashiers/clerks, and sights and sounds sales/clerks. Only 1 percent of the employees said they did not like their supervisor or unit manager, and only 5 percent of the employees were rated by their supervisors as 'poor' employees. 'Need' and 'greed' accounted for 52 percent of the reasons employees gave for stealing. If the job applications of the employees had been properly screened, at least 18 and as many as 50 of them would probably not have been hired. In addition to proper preemployment screening, management should regularly evaluate all employee behavior, particularly those who have worked for the company less than 6 months. Management must also make clear in action and words that it will not tolerate employee theft. 8 exhibits and 11 footnotes.