Caught Red Handed

Good all-around viewpoints.
While taking $500 out of a paycheck may be kind of hefty, I assume he knew and agreed to this.
"He has sworn to what is bad [for himself], and yet he does not alter." Psalm 15:4. This principle is important in my book.
Showing mercy and tough love as Tony did can reap great rewards within the family. Parents are obligated to instill good values by example and discipline in their children.
I can easily see drawing the line there. Your business is a different thing. It's one thing to be kind and compassionate, but another to allow stealing even of $20 worth of gas. "The person faithful in what is least is faithful also in much." Luke 16:10.
I'd have a hard time letting that go. Admittedly, I put up with a lot of attitude and whining and lethargy at times out of fear of not having enough help, but outright stealing? Different animal to me.
 
apple said:
Stealing is stealing.

He has done it once and will do it again. Especially since he feels it was justified since he was short on money.

Next time it might be from your customer.
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Chris are you better off now? Without the thief, I know your story has similarities.


Iowa July 19 & 20 free free text me for more details !!
 
I've got zero tolerance for stealing of any sort. I've dealt with it and moved on as I know it's just something that they'll evolve with and end up getting me worse! I've got one former crook who had been stealing stuff as he worked for me in order to setup his own business. I have a pretty good idea now what is missing........ There's an old saying (actually about 20 years and from my uncle) Don't F the f'er.
 
AquaMike said:
I've got zero tolerance for stealing of any sort. I've dealt with it and moved on as I know it's just something that they'll evolve with and end up getting me worse! I've got one former crook who had been stealing stuff as he worked for me in order to setup his own business. I have a pretty good idea now what is missing........ There's an old saying (actually about 20 years and from my uncle) Don't F the f'er.
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I didn't want to answer earlier but that's my answer mike thanks for posting.


Iowa July 19 & 20 free free text me for more details !!
 
apple said:
Stealing is stealing.

He has done it once and will do it again. Especially since he feels it was justified since he was short on money.

Next time it might be from your customer.
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I'd lay dollars to donuts he's already stealing from the customer....
 
Fire him. He can set the tone for your whole business, and will effect the reputation of your business. You don't want the reputation of being soft on a thief, because it makes it appear as if you are condoning it.
 
Here's my take. Everybody makes mistakes. If you are one of those guys who can stand there are brag about how you have never broken the law or cheated anyone else as you are putting on that badge or robe or simply your logo'ed polo today you need to think about that porn on your computer that steals from your wife, or that cash job you didn't claim on your income tax or the hatred for someone that Jesus tells us is the same as murder or any number of 1000 different things that are wrong.

I believe everyone has at least one time in their lives when they are given an opportunity to change. Not everyone will change. But claiming that no one changes is denying the word of our creator.

A full change isn't always immediate either. Sometimes change takes years. The difference is, those who are in the process of change begin to accept responsibility and offenses become less frequent until the time comes when it is no longer an option in their hearts.

That is why I am so hard on those who cheat contractors or work against them and never take any responsibility and never step up to apologize. There is a vast difference between the contractor who admits they made a mistake and move on vowing to never do it again and those who refuse to admit wrongdoings even when caught and go to great lengths to cover it up.

Of course there are the serial apologizers who are simply con artists, but those are few.

Actions prove motives. Zaccheus (sp?) Was a thief. He showed his motives when confronted with his sin and vowed to give back four times what he had stolen. His actions proved his change.

That is what we should be looking for, in our businesses and in our professional relationships.

Maybe this gas stealing employee will never change. But if we have an opportunity to point out sin and show mercy, imitating the example of our savior and don't do it how much mercy should we expect in the end?

We had an employee who was constantly flirting with customers and making loud comments about their looks. We told him to stop and he did. Not because he realized he was wrong for making them uncomfortable, but because he just wanted to keep his job. There was no change, no realization that what he was doing was wrong. He exhibited that lack of change by making private comments about Jill later and we fired him. I don't feel we did the wrong thing by giving him an opportunity to do right and we suffered no harm by doing so.

That is one of the great things about living by faith. If the gas thief were my employee I would turn it over to God. I would pray that God reveal his heart and guide me in making the right decision in how to deal with him. I have done it hundreds of times including interactions on this board and he has never failed to guide me in the right direction. It is a great feeling to know that judging the motives of others is not up to me by myself.

That is how I deal with it. Everyone has to make their own choices. I am just illustrating what works for me.



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Tony, you can forgive someone and still not give them the opportunity to cause serious damage to your reputation.

I'll be damned if I stood by out of kindness and gave someone the chance to hurt the business that provides for my family.

Everyone deserves forgiveness and a second chance. In my case I forgave the guy right away and told him that. Then I explained to him he left me no choice but to send him to find his second chance elsewhere.

And he did. And my business is better now for it too.
 
"Red" said:
Guilt and shame are powerful motivators. As a suggestion (if you're considering keeping him on), have him publicly admit what he did and apologize in front of the whole company for his actions.

You (the company) obviously have a big enough heart to help your employees when they need it, so why not use the opportunity to demonstrate that to the rest of the crew(s). Toss on a 90 day probation for good measure, but clearly convey the message that theft will not be tolerated and if someone finds themselves in a similar position to just come talk to you.

Times are tough for a lot of people and sometimes overwhelming to the point they can't think straight. Keep the lines of communication open and you'll find their loyalty to you (the company) will go up in most cases. Most people in that situation are not intent on taking advantage of someone as they are at surviving.

Letting a good resource go might hurt you some, but it will just make their lives much worse. He (and his family) rely on the income. If he loses that, then he has to find another job, which may not come soon enough and then all the sh!t starts to built up (can't pay the bills, utilities get turned off ... snowball effect). It won't take much for him to continue down that road just to survive and eventually he'll get caught by the ever loving and kind hearted popo and stripped of his rights and his whole life will go to hell in a hand basket.

Love is the most power force we will ever know and compassion is a component of that.
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I agree with you there he may become your biggest ally in preventing theft and could be one of your best employees long term. It that's the worst you've had done so far you are lucky. I always stress the importance of my guys telling me the truth. If I find out you lie to me I cannot tolerate that but if you make a mistake lets fix it move on and not repeat it. Good luck with your decision I know it is a tough one.
 
Whatever became of this?
 
Good read in here, great info.

Damn.. I didn't even get to know Ted before he passed. When I first joined reading till my eyes bled, he always had something great to say. Rest in peace sir, you helped out way more people than you spoke with in person!!!
 
That was a tough call Ron. Being a bigger person you may have gained a friend for life. I had a similar situation after my accident. At the time I was taking many prescription drugs for pain. At the same time my best friend and partner was becoming addicted to narcotics. He was the friend helping me my wife and kids. Repairing my home. Taking me to dr appointments. Really my right hand. Then one day I realized all my medication was stolen. I asked him 1x he denied it. The 2nd x he told me the truth and cryied. My dr was great about it. But ultimately no love lost at all. I forgave him instantly and now he's drug free. Everyone makes a bad choice some are worse. When cornered animals will bite, steal or run. Other ppl are straight up thieves and should never be trusted. Then there's the employee that steals a little overtime milking you dry, sometimes your best worker. The 5hr per week "Farmers"
 
show no weakness. whether its time, cash or gas stealing is stealing. would you handle it different if it was a twenty dollar bill out of the cash drawer?
 
Seymore_BlEaCh said:
Well he knows he's being watched so he might think twice about doing again? I've always thought if someone steals once they will steal again it's just a matter of time.It might not be anytime soon but it's only a matter of time it will happen again.

If you are willing to help someone out like you did and they still want to steal from you i think they are taking advantage of you. Knowing they won't get fired will give them them the feeling they can get away with it again once he thinks everything has been forgotten about.
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Love the Banner Shane
 
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