NCJ Number
52097
Date Published
1978
Length
11 pages
Annotation
DATA ON THE SCOPE OF WORKPLACE CRIME, WITH EMPHASIS ON ITS COST TO BUSINESSES AND CITIZENS, ARE PROVIDED; AND METHODS FOR REDUCING ITS OCCURRENCE ARE PROPOSED.
Abstract
THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON CRIME AND DELINQUENCY (NCCD) IS WORKING TO BRING THE PROBLEMS OF WORKPLACE CRIME TO THE ATTENTION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE OFFICIALS, LEGISLATORS, AND CITIZENS. IT DEFINES WORKPLACE CRIME AS AN INTENTIONAL ACT BY AN EMPLOYEE THAT RESULTS IN LOSS OF VALUE OR IN DAMAGE TO THE PROPERTY OF A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYER; AN ACT THAT BENEFITS THE ACTOR FINANCIALLY OR OTHERWISE. WORKPLACE CRIME CAN INCLUDE ANYTHING FROM TAKING HOME A TOOL TO DISHONEST COMPUTER PROGRAMMING AND BRIBES. WORKPLACE CRIME IS PREVALENT AT ALL LEVELS OF BUSINESS, AND MANY EMPLOYEES REGARD IT AS COMMONPLACE AND ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR. EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO DEVELOP ESTIMATES OF THE FINANCIAL COSTS TO BUSINESSES, INDUSTRIES, CONSUMERS, INVESTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND THE OVERALL COMMUNITY. THE COST OF THIS TYPE OF CRIME HAS BEEN ESTIMATED AT $40 BILLION A YEAR; THE CONSUMER ASSUMES THE BURDEN OF PAYMENT BY HAVING TO BUY MERCHANDISE AT A HIGH PRICE. GRAVER COSTS NOT REFLECTED IN HIGHER PRICES MAY BE ASSUMED IF THE CORRUPTION OF GOVERNMENT INSPECTORS IS CONSIDERED IN TERMS OF ITS EFFECTS ON THE WHOLESOMENESS OF FOOD, THE QUALITY OF MEDICINES, AND THE SAFETY OF HOMES. NATIONAL EFFORTS TO REDUCE OR CONTROL THIS PROBLEM HAVE BEEN INSUFFICIENT. THE TASK OF EDUCATING THE PUBLIC TO THE PERSONAL COST OF WORKPLACE CRIME IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CONSUMER GROUPS, CHURCHES, LEGISLATORS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE OFFICIALS, AND BUSINESS AND LABOR LEADERS. REGULATORY AGENCIES MUST DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM BY DEVELOPING CODES AND PROMOTING LEGISLATION. TRADE ASSOCIATIONS SHOULD COLLECT RELIABLE DATA ON THEIR INDUSTRIES BY ADOPTING OPEN POLICIES CONCERNING THE EFFECTS OF WORKPLACE CRIME ON THEIR COMPANIES. TREATMENT OF THE OFFENDER AND PREVENTION OF THE CRIME ARE DIFFICULT BECAUSE UNIVERSALLY ACCEPTED INDUSTRY GUIDES ARE LACKING. METHODS HAVE BEEN PROPOSED THAT WORK TO REDUCE THE FRUSTRATION AND ANGER FELT BY EMPLOYEES IN THE WORK ENVIRONMENT WITH HOPES OF REDUCING THE IMPULSE TO STEAL FROM THE COMPANY AS A FORM OF COMPENSATION. A GENERAL SHIFT IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT WILL EMPHASIZE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WORKPLACE CRIME AND CONCENTRATE EFFORTS ON ALLEVIATING THE PROBLEM IS RECOMMENDED. TABULAR DATA ARE PROVIDED.