Would you report coworker theft?

[MTG#10]

This guy Ive been working with for the last couple years has been robbing my company blind lately, and does it right in front of me. It started out as just a couple < $10 items here and there, but recently Ive been noticing him taking much higher priced ($20+) things out to his car almost every day. Ive told him before he better stop before he gets caught but he just laughs and says something like "Why are you gonna rat on me?"

This guy isn't a really close friend or anything, but I do open with him every morning and he has been out to my house for cookouts a few times...not for a couple years though.

Its really bothering me, I don't want to be a rat but at the same time this shit is wrong and while I cant stand my current boss I do like the owner and his family. Ive told this guy more than once not to do it in front of me but he doesn't listen.

Should I say something to the owner or live by the rule "snitches get stitches"? He would certainly get fired and he has a wife who cant work and three kids at home so that would bother me as much or more than his stealing. And even if I did say something I don't know how to go about it...I cant do it anonymously because I'm the only one there in the mornings with him so they would know it was from me.

In a tough spot here.

[J Diddy]

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

I'd give him one last ultimatum and say you either stop completely right now, or next time I even suspect that you have taken something I'm going to report it.

His nickel and diming the place adds up and I don't know what business it is, but eventually that can sink a store, not to mention how would you feel if due to budget costs they had to trim employees and they let you go and kept him?

If he's stealing what makes you think he's a man of his word?

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by MTG#10

Would you report coworker theft?

If someone stole a co-worker, I would report that.

[BlackHelicopters]

No win situation. See that bus coming? You are going together thrown under it by this thief.

[saphojunkie]

Anonymous email to boss. Don't even have to name names. Just say that one of their employees is stealing items, and you don't want to be a rat, but you feel loyalty to the boss to let them know.

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by J Diddy

If he's stealing what makes you think he's a man of his word?

The 2 aren't mutually exclusive, but I agree with you that you shouldn't just be naive as to take him at his word. I'd simply keep observing him and if I suspected that he was still doing it and simply not being as blatant about it, I'd just report it and leave it at that.

But, really screw him for being so brazen and open about it. Not that I'm condoning his actions, but if you want to be shady at work like that, it's your own fault for being so notorious about it to the point it's commonly known among your other coworkers.

[kcxiv]

Originally Posted by Why Not?

I think the whole "snitches get stitches" thing stops being applicable post high school

lol, no it dont1 not here in cali. especially me being a mexican and been in the "life" before. I keep my mouth shut if shit ever got out, it would be all bad for me. Im almost 40 and it would be all bad for me.

[MTG#10]

Originally Posted by Iowanian

Here is a potential outcome.

You say nothing, during inventory the bosses figure out things are walking out, narrow it down to the morning shift as the most likely and fire both of you to be sure, assuming you're in on it too.

Letting them know something is up might make them trust you more and put you in line to move up, and better provide for YOUR family.

Impossible to move up, only relatives get to move up. They pay me well though so I don't care.

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

not to mention how would you feel if due to budget costs they had to trim employees and they let you go and kept him?

Ive worked there since high school, I'm coming up on 35. He's been there maybe 2 years...who do you think they'll believe?

[Iowanian]

If you've worked there that long and they take care of you, you're shitting on them by not letting them know.

[MTG#10]

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

I'd point out to MTG that he was an idiot for posting this on a message board, since that can be traced to him.

I use a VPN, ask a mod where I'm posting from right now.

Originally Posted by Iowanian

If you've worked there that long and they take care of you, you're shitting on them by not letting them know.

I know, that's the only reason I'm even considering saying something. Otherwise I'd just mind my own business and call him a dumbass every time I saw him do it.

[Tombstone RJ]

OP has definitely screwed himself.

Ok, suggestion number three:

Start keeping a written log of all the crap this co-worker is stealing. WRITE IT DOWN. Just do it, write down the dates and write down what was stolen. Go to the bathroom or something where you'll have privacy and just keep a little log book with you.

Now, while you are tracking what your co-worker is stealing, write up THAT'S RIGHT, WRITE IT UP, DON'T BE A LAZY ****, a proposal for tracking the inventory. This does 2 important things--1. it shows you are a pro-active employee and 2. it shows you want the company, as a whole, to do better.

Now, you are covered.

Let me explain (I've managed employees, I've worked for large companies, and small operations too):

1. If ownership does not take your inventory tracking suggestions seriously, than so be it. You pointed out something that you thought the company needed to do, to operate more efficiently, and ownership has ignored it. So, the missing inventory is their problem, not yours.

2. If ownership listens to you, and decided to follow your suggestions, then they may put you in charge of the whole tracking operation. This gives you the ability to set the system up (perhaps get a new title with the company, and a raise) and it allows you to finally "deal with the problem" with your lousy, no-good-stealing co-worker.

3. If ownership listens to you but does not involve you in the new tracking system, this moron co-worker will probably stop regardless, because he will eventually get caught, right?

4. Keeping a log of everything you have witnessed the co-worker steal will cover your ass if ownership/management decides to do something about the missing inventory. That is, you tried to help the company track the inventory because you were concerned, and whether or not the company puts a system in place to track the inventory, if they get suspicious and know that people are stealing, and the lump you in with this stealing co-worker, you can legitimately go to ownership and say "hey, I saw a problem and I suggested a solution. You guys did nothing about it. However, I can tell you what I do know about who is stealing what...."

You're welcome.

[Aspengc8]

Originally Posted by MTG#10

Impossible to move up, only relatives get to move up. They pay me well though so I don't care.



Ive worked there since high school, I'm coming up on 35. He's been there maybe 2 years...who do you think they'll believe?

Almost 20 years working there, and YOUR not in management?

[digger]

Originally Posted by MTG#10

This guy Ive been working with for the last couple years has been robbing my company blind lately, and does it right in front of me. It started out as just a couple < $10 items here and there, but recently Ive been noticing him taking much higher priced ($20+) things out to his car almost every day. Ive told him before he better stop before he gets caught but he just laughs and says something like "Why are you gonna rat on me?"

This guy isn't a really close friend or anything, but I do open with him every morning and he has been out to my house for cookouts a few times...not for a couple years though.

Its really bothering me, I don't want to be a rat but at the same time this shit is wrong and while I cant stand my current boss I do like the owner and his family. Ive told this guy more than once not to do it in front of me but he doesn't listen.

Should I say something to the owner or live by the rule "snitches get stitches"? He would certainly get fired and he has a wife who cant work and three kids at home so that would bother me as much or more than his stealing. And even if I did say something I don't know how to go about it...I cant do it anonymously because I'm the only one there in the mornings with him so they would know it was from me.

In a tough spot here.

Two words: Hidden Video.

[Scooter LaCanforno]

Do you wonder why you can't get a raise? This guy is stealing from you also.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

as you said, a simple suggestion to the owner that it might behoove them to either put cameras in the lot or simply show up unannounced at 8:15AM is sufficient.

[Omaha]

Originally Posted by MTG#10

This guy Ive been working with for the last couple years has been robbing my company blind lately, and does it right in front of me. It started out as just a couple < $10 items here and there, but recently Ive been noticing him taking much higher priced ($20+) things out to his car almost every day. Ive told him before he better stop before he gets caught but he just laughs and says something like "Why are you gonna rat on me?"

This guy isn't a really close friend or anything, but I do open with him every morning and he has been out to my house for cookouts a few times...not for a couple years though.

Its really bothering me, I don't want to be a rat but at the same time this shit is wrong and while I cant stand my current boss I do like the owner and his family. Ive told this guy more than once not to do it in front of me but he doesn't listen.

Should I say something to the owner or live by the rule "snitches get stitches"? He would certainly get fired and he has a wife who cant work and three kids at home so that would bother me as much or more than his stealing. And even if I did say something I don't know how to go about it...I cant do it anonymously because I'm the only one there in the mornings with him so they would know it was from me.

In a tough spot here.

**** that guy. I hate that shit.