As a business owner, you like to think that your employees are all on your team and have the best interests of the company at heart. That’s why it can be especially unsettling when you suspect that one of your employees may be stealing from your business, either on a small or large scale. Having suspicions about the trustworthiness of your staff members can leave you feeling violated, not to mention the financial impact their actions may have on your company’s bottom line. If you suspect a case of employee theft and are not sure whether to hire a private investigator to look into the matter, here are a few things to consider to help you make a decision that could ultimately save your business.
How large is the suspected amount of employee theft?
Though it’s never right to steal, there is a difference between small-scale and large-scale theft, and it’s important to recognize what merits a full investigation and what simply warrants a talking-to or write-up of the employee in question. For instance, if your business regularly employs young high-school students and you believe one of them to be taking a few dollars out of the cash register from time to time, you must certainly confront the young offender, but it may not be a big enough transgression to launch a full-scale private investigation. On the other hand, if the discrepancy between your books and the register is significant and continuous, and you suspect an employee of taking large sums of money on a regular basis, then by all means it is time to let a private investigator assist you.
Is the employee in question essential to the company?
If you suspect an employee is stealing from your business, and he or she does not add a particular amount of value to the organization, the best and least costly option for you may simply be to terminate his or her employment. This is especially true if the amount of theft is not great enough to necessitate legal action. However, if the employee happens to be one of the principals of the company, such as a business partner or upper-management team member, it may be best to conduct a private investigation of the alleged theft before formally pressing charges.
J.P. Investigative Group can help with employee theft cases by providing concrete, court-admissible evidence of the suspected employee’s actions and ultimately proving his or her guilt or innocence. Whatever the outcome of our investigation, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing the truth, and use our findings to support your court case. Call 877.990.2111 today to speak with a representative about beginning an employee theft investigation.
