Why Do Employees Steal? A Guide for Business Owners
- Ryan Dzwigalski
- Jun 9
- 3 min read
As a business owner, you might think that the people stealing from your company are just “bad apples,” but the truth is often more nuanced. Sure, sometimes you’ll encounter someone who’s just dishonest. More often, though, employees steal because they’re making bad decisions in a moment of weakness or desperation.
So, why does this happen, and what can you do to stop it? Let’s dive in.
Why Employees Steal
Employees don’t wake up one day and decide to betray your trust. They rationalize their actions with thoughts like:
“I’m not getting paid enough, and I need this.”
“The company won’t notice; they make tons of money anyway.”
“It’s just borrowing—I’ll pay it back later.”
“My paycheck was short this week.”
“Everyone else is doing it, so why not?”
These rationalizations help them justify what they know deep down is wrong. Many of these people are otherwise good employees making bad choices because they’ve found an opportunity to do so.
The Cost of Internal Theft
Internal theft doesn’t just affect your bottom line—it creates a toxic environment in your workplace.
Financial Impact: Money lost to theft could’ve gone toward employee bonuses, better equipment, or expanding your business.
Operational Stress: Theft disrupts inventory, customer satisfaction, and morale.
Cultural Damage: Dishonest behavior breeds resentment among employees who are following the rules.
When theft goes unchecked, it snowballs. Small thefts escalate into bigger ones. One employee getting away with it makes others think they can, too.
Prevention vs. Apprehension
Let’s face it: catching thieves after the fact isn’t enough. The goal is prevention—removing the opportunity for theft to occur in the first place.
Here’s how:
Follow Operational Policies: Make sure all employees are trained on and understand your policies. Regularly audit procedures to ensure compliance.
Build a Positive Culture: Treat employees fairly and with respect. Happy employees are less likely to steal.
Limit Opportunities for Theft: Implement systems like secure cash handling, inventory controls, and access control.
Train Your Team: Teach managers and employees how to spot red flags, like unusual behavior or discrepancies in inventory.
Enforce Consequences: Set clear expectations and follow through. If theft happens, address it quickly and professionally.
When you focus on prevention, you’re not just protecting your business—you’re also creating an environment where employees feel valued and less tempted to make bad choices.
How Crime Alert Security Can Help
Crime Alert Security offers a range of services to help small business owners tackle internal theft:
Internal Investigations: If you suspect theft, we handle the investigation discreetly and professionally, ensuring your business and employees are protected.
Manager Training: We equip your leaders with the tools they need to detect and prevent theft while maintaining a positive workplace culture.
Employee Education: Training employees about workplace ethics and operational policies can go a long way toward prevention.
Customized Security Solutions: From AI-powered video monitoring to access control systems, we help you limit theft opportunities before they arise.
Why Prevention Matters
By focusing on prevention, you’re sending a message to your team:
We value honesty and integrity.
We care about our employees and their well-being.
We’re committed to creating a secure, fair, and thriving workplace.
When employees feel this level of trust and respect, they’re more likely to make the right choices—even when faced with temptation.
Ready to Protect Your Business?
If you want to protect your business from internal theft while fostering a positive, theft-resistant culture, Crime Alert Security is here to help.
We’ll work with you to create a customized plan, investigate concerns, and train your team to prevent future losses. Let’s build a stronger, safer workplace together.
Contact us today to learn more!
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