NCJ Number
114006
Date Published
1988
Length
13 pages
Annotation
The director of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) discusses NIJ research findings regarding loss prevention and employee theft in businesses and urges food marketing business to develop some experimental research proposals that NIJ could support.
Abstract
A study examining employee theft among 9,000 employees of retail chains and two other industries found that one of every three employees steals from the employer. The employee's perception of the risk of getting caught is the best predictor of whether the employee will steal or not. Thus, businesses must make it clear that employee theft is unacceptable and that perpetrators will be prosecuted. Employers must also take an ethical stand and educate their employees about honesty being the best policy. The policy must apply to everyone in the organization and must be regularly disseminated to all management and employees. Management must also demonstrate its concern and commitment to its employees to boost their morale and prevent theft. Commitment to younger employees is especially important. Management must also recognize that dismissal is usually no deterrent for a young employee. A further way to prevent employee theft is drug testing prior to employment, particularly through the use of hair screening. NIJ would also like to work in partnership with business in conducting field experiments in reducing employee theft.