How do I deal with this?

[Mars]

[background]

I have a staff member who has been implicated in theft at one of my suppliers.
The thing is that I knew that the driver I employed before him was involved in something there, but I never knew what. I fired the previous driver when I caught him in the act of stealing from me.

What I didn't realize was that he was involved in a whole bunch of people stealing from my supplier. So when my new driver went there they basically coerced him into doing what the previous guy was doing. The first time he agrees, the whole thing goes bang and they get caught (good!).

So, I convinced him to co-operate with the police investigators so hopefully they go easy on him. They didn't. They basically threw the book at him and the few other guys that did not disappear into the night.

I have not fired him because I honestly believe he is a good guy and he works hard and since then he has been pulling his weight 150%. He also has a 4 month old daughter and his wife earns about R350 a month working as a maid.
The hard truth is that he will probably go to jail. Possibly. The court case is dragging on a bit (4 months now, with no end in sight) but I have spoken to people involved at the supplier and they are confident of a conviction.

I feel bad for him but he screwed up, he has to pay the price.
[/background]

It has just come to my notice that he is opening all sorts of accounts. I have been told that there have been about 4 calls to confirm his employment since the beginning of last week. In light of the fact that he might go to jail for a few years, what do I do?

 

[R13...]

You have a good heart for not firing him & believing in his goodness... Question is if you giving him a chance what about your suppliers? Are they going to be ok dealing with someone who stole from them?

 

[waynegohl]

i know you have a very good heart, is there no way you can redeploy him somewhere in the business?

 

[gregmcc]

What accounts is he opening? Also what is the amount involved in the theft? 100's, 1000's or ten of 1000's or more.

The court should be lenient on him of he cooperated and the theft is only for a few hundred. If the stole like tens of thousands then he must pay for his actions. He knew what he was doing was wrong.

 

[Nothxkbi]

I'm concerned for his wife. He is opening accounts with possibility of being jailed. Will the responsibility for the installments fall to her?

As for what R13 has said, you need to communicate with your suppliers and express your concern and how they think it's best to go forward. Keep them in the loop.

 

[Mars]

You have a good heart for not firing him & believing in his goodness... Question is if you giving him a chance what about your suppliers? Are they going to be ok dealing with someone who stole from them?

Well. He still goes there almost on a daily basis. The security there was the big problem and they have since all been replaced. Although he was involved and I make no excuse for him, he should never have been able to steal. There are 3 checks before he can leave with un-invoiced goods. All the security at those 3 checks where corrupt as well as the suppliers staff members who drew the stock and loaded it onto the bakkie.

So yea, he's been collecting from them all the time since the incident without a problem.

i know you have a very good heart, is there no way you can redeploy him somewhere in the business?

I don't need to, and if he gets found innocent (or, more likely the case gets thrown out) he will keep his job as our driver. If he goes to jail however, I will replace him.

What accounts is he opening? Also what is the amount involved in the theft? 100's, 1000's or ten of 1000's or more.

The court should be lenient on him of he cooperated and the theft is only for a few hundred. If the stole like tens of thousands then he must pay for his actions. He knew what he was doing was wrong.

Edgars, Truworths, Hyperama and Russels. The pallet of stock he was caught with was probably worth about R50k.
However, my supplier estimates that their loss this year due to similar things going on with other drivers also is about 6 bar.

 

[Mars]

I'm concerned for his wife. He is opening accounts with possibility of being jailed. Will the responsibility for the installments fall to her?

As for what R13 has said, you need to communicate with your suppliers and express your concern and how they think it's best to go forward. Keep them in the loop.

Well, these are my two major concerns.
Firstly, his wife. She would never be able to honor payment on those accounts.
Secondly, I dont want to be part of him screwing these company's over.

 

[R13...]

Well, these are my two major concerns.
Firstly, his wife. She would never be able to honor payment on those accounts.
Secondly, I dont want to be part of him screwing these company's over.

I don't think him screwing those companies over is your problem. It's up to them to ensure their lending is responsible. All you can do is advice him for his own sake because going to jail means his credit record will go with him, he's probably married common law with no assets so they can't go after his wife.

 

[Nothxkbi]

Madman88 when anybody calls enquiring about a credit reference, just inform them he is under criminal investigation and leave it at that. At least you've done your best.

 

[Pitbull]

[background]

I have a staff member who has been implicated in theft at one of my suppliers.
The thing is that I knew that the driver I employed before him was involved in something there, but I never knew what. I fired the previous driver when I caught him in the act of stealing from me.

What I didn't realize was that he was involved in a whole bunch of people stealing from my supplier. So when my new driver went there they basically coerced him into doing what the previous guy was doing. The first time he agrees, the whole thing goes bang and they get caught (good!).

So, I convinced him to co-operate with the police investigators so hopefully they go easy on him. They didn't. They basically threw the book at him and the few other guys that did not disappear into the night.

I have not fired him because I honestly believe he is a good guy and he works hard and since then he has been pulling his weight 150%. He also has a 4 month old daughter and his wife earns about R350 a month working as a maid.
The hard truth is that he will probably go to jail. Possibly. The court case is dragging on a bit (4 months now, with no end in sight) but I have spoken to people involved at the supplier and they are confident of a conviction.

I feel bad for him but he screwed up, he has to pay the price.
[/background]

It has just come to my notice that he is opening all sorts of accounts. I have been told that there have been about 4 calls to confirm his employment since the beginning of last week. In light of the fact that he might go to jail for a few years, what do I do?

To be honest as his employer you are just there to confirm if he works for you and what he earns, nothing more nothing less

 

[deweyzeph]

I'm concerned for his wife. He is opening accounts with possibility of being jailed. Will the responsibility for the installments fall to her?

As for what R13 has said, you need to communicate with your suppliers and express your concern and how they think it's best to go forward. Keep them in the loop.

They can only go after his wife for the debt if they are married in community of property, which most uneducated people are, unfortunately.

 

[hyperian]

If he does go to jail and you take pity on his wife's situation because of it, you could always employ her as a cleaner or something similar, and possibly pay her more than what she's getting now. At least then she will be better positioned to care for his child.

 

[Zulik]

Maximum respect for taking the humane approach.

I can only tell you how I would deal with it after 18 years in the retail/wholesale business.

I would fire the guy immediately. If he's a thief, he's a thief. No such thing as being coerced into crime. Would you steal if someone asked you to? I thought not.

I sympathize with the guys situation, but he has committed the crime and must face the music.

Also, a mapogo sign at your premises and their stickers on your vehicles works wonders.

 

[noxibox]

Regarding the accounts give him the advice those credit providers should be giving him. If he's poorly educated he probably does not understand the consequences or how expensive debt can be.

So, I convinced him to co-operate with the police investigators so hopefully they go easy on him. They didn't. They basically threw the book at him and the few other guys that did not disappear into the night.

It's never worth co-operating with the police unless you have a binding deal in writing.

They can only go after his wife for the debt if they are married in community of property, which most uneducated people are, unfortunately.

If she earns that little they'll basically never get their money.

No such thing as being coerced into crime.

You really believe that idiotic statement?

Would you steal if someone asked you to? I thought not.

What if I coerced you?

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

Madman88 when anybody calls enquiring about a credit reference, just inform them he is under criminal investigation and leave it at that. At least you've done your best.

Sorry, but as an employer you may not say this until the employee is found quilty in a court of law and sentenced.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

To be honest as his employer you are just there to confirm if he works for you and what he earns, nothing more nothing less

Very true. You may not interfere in his personal doings. His ability to afford the debt he is getting into should never be your concern. My wife has had various staff in the past that have gotten themselves in to serious debt this way and we have learn't to keep our noses out of it.

Then again, failure of the credit companies to check that he can really afford the new debt will only result in it being written off.

 

[Zulik]

You really believe that idiotic statement?

Yes I do, in this context. Under the circumstances, considering he risked his job, his families wellbeing, and some jail time, he only has himself to blame.

Do you own a business? Even been stolen from by your own staff?

 

[Mars]

Sorry, but as an employer you may not say this until the employee is found quilty in a court of law and sentenced.

This is what I thought, the same applies to me firing him for that matter.

Yes I do, in this context. Under the circumstances, considering he risked his job, his families wellbeing, and some jail time, he only has himself to blame.

Do you own a business? Even been stolen from by your own staff?

I have had people steal from me, like I said, the previous driver for one. In that incident I fired ALL the staff working for me in one swoop. Or rather I fired one and told the rest I was going to press charges of theft against the lot of them with the proof I had and they all left and never came back.
I almost lost everything in that little debacle so I don't take theft lightly.
However, I do realise what it is to be coerced. Don't confuse someone making a proposition to you with being coerced.

These people went to his house and coerced him there. Someone threatening to make your life difficult on one hand, while waving more money you earn in a month on the other hand for doing something simple like a delivery...