As an employer in New York, discovering untruthful behavior from an employee can come as a shock. Your staff members are entrusted to handle your merchandise and company funds, not steal from you.
There are warning signs that may point to a dishonest employee. Taking the time to recognize those red flags can help you take action to address the problem before it gets worse.
Behavioral shifts
Upon initially observing your workers, you might notice that one of them is acting differently. Maybe they seem more secretive or defensive, often distancing themselves from their coworkers.
On the other hand, they may guard their work files too closely and avoid taking days off to prevent others from covering their tasks. While each of these actions may seem harmless in isolation, these could all point to dishonest behavior when you observe them together.
Unexplained or missing payments
If you look over the ledgers and see the following inconsistencies in your company funds, these may indicate that someone is deliberately misusing them:
- Missing cash
- Changed financial records
- Strange transaction patterns
- Duplicate payments
- Unexplained refunds
- Fraudulent checks
Moreover, if customers and vendors frequently complain of incorrect charges and unpaid bills, this could all point to money being redirected. Someone might be using the cash for themselves and intentionally not completing your business transactions.
Complaints from coworkers
Sometimes, the warning sign does not come from the suspected employee but from who they work with. If a number of reports are about a particular staff member consistently asking their peers for money, it could provide a possible explanation for the theft. While these complaints may not be definitive proof, they are still worth noting.
Missing inventory
If your company’s finances look fine but many products, tools or supplies keep disappearing over time, theft may be the cause. Watch for patterns in what goes missing, when it happens and which employees can access it. If shortages increase during certain shifts, at specific locations or on delivery days, you can narrow down who may be responsible.
Building a strategic response
Noticing warning signs is the first step to protecting your business from employee theft. Your observations can guide you as you begin collecting evidence to support your case. Seeking legal counsel can also help you avoid costly missteps while pursuing a fair outcome.
