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Answers to Readers' Questions on Security:
Business Property
The following 3 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- Employee trashed expensive copier
- Investigating crimes on property
- How to stop workers from pilfering?
Employee trashed expensive copier
Question
November 17, 2005
One of my husband's employees was having a very "bad" day and was quite frustrated because he didn't like the placement of the copier and tripped over it. He became very angry (has had a problem with this in the past over very small details), pulled the large, expensive copier outside of the building, and proceed to throw it into the trash bin, thus destroying the copier. Do you know if legally he can be held responsible for the cost of this copier? He was seen by 3 individuals doing the above so no more proof is needed. Please email and give me feedback on our options. Thank you.
- USA
8992
Answer
The thing to do is to first sit down with him and ask him what he thinks about this situation. Tell him how much the copier will cost to replace. Then let him do the talking. He may say he is sorry and offer to pay for your loss. But then again, he may balk and say it wasn't his fault or something. At least you know where he stands on the issue.
If he does not cooperate, you can tell him you will press charges. You can contact the police on this matter of malicious damage to your property. Unfortunately, it is something that would have to be settled in small claims court.
You could get a lawyer involved, but you would probably end up spending more than you would get back.
Your employee would be smart to offer to pay for the damage he did. In such a case, he would probably keep his job with you. If he doesn't pay, you should fire him and press charges.
Note that your insurance may pay for the damage, but it is best to keep them out of it unless absolutely necessary.
I hope things work out for you in this situation.
Investigating crimes on property
Question
September 7, 2005
How is crime on property deemed to be well investigated.
Eliab - Uganda
8022
Answer
Any evidence that can point to who did the crime should be sought out. Also, asking people in the neighborhood if anyone saw something suspicious.
Doing a thorough job in the investigation will help to find the perpetrators. Unfortunately, often such crimes are not solved.
How to stop workers from pilfering?
Question
September 4, 2005
I am happy and convinced of the level of security research you people have undertaken, because you really talk of the real situation on ground. Personally am a security manager in a prominent publication company here in Uganda.
My major area of interest where i may need your input is how to curb or atleast minimize pilferage by staff to 1%.
Thankyou for the knowledge please may the migthy lord give you abandant prosperity.
Eliab - Uganda
7989
Answer
A good way to reduce pilferage in a company is to inform the workers that it can affect their jobs. If workers feel they have a stake in the company and that stealing can affect the profits and thus possible raises and job security, they may think twice about pilfering. The problem is that this is something that must come from upper management as part of their business philosophy. As security manager, you really can have a difficult time to convince workers that they have a stake in the company's success.
It is still possible to post signs saying something like, "Taking company goods can affect all of our jobs."
Also, some companies have zero tolerance for stealing and will immediately fire a person caught taking things. On the other hand, there are companies that allow workers to take some things, just to keep a happy workforce. I'm not sure how well that works, though.
Also, there are companies that have posted security TV cameras to monitor any thefts. The presence of such cameras alone will discourage many from taking things.
I hope these ideas help you handle the situation.
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