I HAVE TO FIND OUT THE CULPRIT !! PLEASE HELP !!

Hi All,

I would like to share a small incident that happened in my office today.

My colleague (developer) was collecting 200 bugs from each employee for getting a gift for a newly married female.

She collected from 18 guys and she kept 3600 in her drawer last Friday. Monday morning she came to me and complained that 100 bugs were missing.

I didn't take it seriously and I told her to check it properly and left it cool.

Today just some time back she came to my cabin and said another 100 bugs are missing.

The first question I asked her was why you kept a huge amount in your drawer unlocked.

She said, "I have so much trust in all the people over here. I have been here for the past 4 years and I have never come across this kind of issue. Even the office boys and cleaners have been working here for the past 4 years, and this is the first time this has happened. She was with the same point that I trust all.

I told her that I will look into this issue and let you know. She was not convinced and she started arguing with me that this issue should be told to everyone in the office so that everyone will be aware. I told her management is there to take care of this kind of issue, and we don't want to make it public. She made a very big scene and again pointed out that it should be known to all the employees. She was arguing with me for 15 minutes on the same issue. Finally, I told her to give me time, and I will check it with the office boys.

Hey guys, you might also face this kind of situation while handling the management.

I request all the present and future HR Managers to send your views and ideas on handling and controlling this kind of characters and issues.

I went to her desk after some time at 6, and I was searching her place (I know it's of no use). Then I asked her to show me the list and the money she had.

She gave me those, and again I checked everything for her satisfaction, and I removed my name from the list.

Initially, she said, "I don't want to remove your name; I will put 200 bugs," and later she got convinced.

Now I have to find out the culprit.

These issues might look simple, but when we face them, we will know the discrepancies in them.

Hi All,

I would like to share a small incident that happened in my office today. My colleague (developer) was collecting 200 bugs from each employee for getting a gift for a newly married female. She collected from 18 guys and she kept 3600 in her drawer last Friday. Monday morning she came to me and complained that 100 bugs were missing. I didn't take it seriously and I told her to check it properly and left it cool. Today just sometime back she came to my cabin and said another 100 bugs are missing.

The first question I asked her was why you kept a huge amount in your drawer unlocked. She said she had so much trust in all the people over here. She has been here for the past 4 years and never came across this kind of issue. Even the office boys and cleaners have been working here for the past 4 years, and this is the first time it happened, and she was with the same point that she trusts all.

I told her that I will look into this issue and let you know. She was not convinced and started arguing with me that this issue should be told to everyone in the office so that everyone will be aware. I told her the management is there to take care of this kind of issue, and we don't want to make it public. She made a very big scene and insisted that it should be known to all the employees. She argued with me for 15 minutes on the same issue. Finally, I told her to give me time, and I will check it up with the office boys.

Hey guys, you might also face this kind of situation while handling the management. I request all the present and future HR Managers to send your views and ideas on handling and controlling these kinds of characters and issues.

I went to her desk after some time at 6, and I was searching her place (I know it's of no use). Then I asked her to show the list and the money she had. She gave me those, and again I checked everything for her satisfaction and I removed my name from the list. Initially, she said she didn't want to remove my name; she will put 200 bugs, and later she got convinced. Now I have to find out the culprit.

These issues might look simple, but when we face them, we will know the discrepancies in it.

I think this incident should be brought to the notice of other employees. Also, send a circular by email stating that employees should take care of their belongings. The management cannot be held responsible for their negligence. Additionally, send a warning indicating that the culprit should be caught. This incident spoils the whole atmosphere, and employees need to maintain corporate decorum.

Smitha

Keeping a drawer unlocked is not acceptable at all. It is not something we would do at our home. Would we leave money, ornaments, or any other valuables unlocked? Never! So, how can this practice be tolerated in the workplace? In the office, there are people from different families and backgrounds. Do you understand my point? The lady was asked to review all her pending and routine files again.

I manage a petty cash fund of 10,000.00 BDT for the office. Sometimes I can't find the money. In such moments, I use my own money. And believe me, within a few moments, I find it either on my desk beside the scanner or near the sound box. I do the same thing at home too. Once, I couldn't find the key to the cabinet at the last minute before heading to the office. So, I wore yesterday's outfit again. However, upon returning home, I discovered that the key was either in my office bag or on the dressing table. I have encountered such situations for over 40 years. It's natural. Did you know that after 40 years, it is very natural? You can't deny it. If possible, please pass on my message to the lady. I hope she won't mind and will have the chance to understand the truth.

I hope for the best.

Anjuman Ara Baby

This is my personal opinion. When it comes to money, there are only two options: either you be strict about it or be lenient. Let's say, for instance, I leave my keys with my neighbor whom I have known for the past 12 years. Now, if my house is ransacked, my first suspect is my neighbor because I have to go according to my rule.

There are 80% who will never steal, 15% will steal, and 5% are good. The lock we put is for the 80% of people (got that).

Hi,

I agree with the point of view that other employees need to be informed for the following reasons:
- Presently, it's just Rs 100, but later it might be of a bigger denomination.
- If not informed, then employees might blame you for not having informed them earlier.
- Even though it would attract people's attention, at least it will make them alert.

I have a personal feeling that it might be someone from the lower cadre who is doing this since it is restricted to a smaller amount like Rs 100.

Jason

Hi,

I think the developer who had collected the money would be responsible for this because she has been given this responsibility. She should have taken care of this. Today it is just 200 bugs; tomorrow it can be 10,000. How can she be so careless?

Regards, Sujata

The first thing I think you have to do is develop a list of suspects:

1. Ask colleagues who they suspect and why.
2. How did the suspect know the money was in the drawer?
- Did the colleague put it in all at one time, or over a period of time?
- What was the time frame?
- Was anyone close by when she put the money in the drawer? Who?
- Did the colleague tell anyone?

3. Was the money hidden or in plain sight? If hidden, how?
4. 18 Contributors - How many potential contributors?
- Did she solicit all?
- Did any refuse to contribute? Who?

Then, interview each suspect for motive and opportunity. Provide means to return the funds as indicated below. Unless there is clear and convincing evidence, I would not accuse anyone.

After all interviews have been completed, call all the employees together, explain what has occurred, and indicate that if the money is returned within 2 business days (by an anonymous letter drop, mail, or other means), the matter will be disposed of in a dignified manner (usually resignation after some time has elapsed).

However, if the company has to go through the expense of an internal investigation, criminal charges will be brought against the perpetrator.

One final comment: The colleague should be reprimanded for carelessness in the handling of the funds.

Hope this helps,

PALADIN

You should have been firm with this woman and told her straight off that it isn't your responsibility if cash is stolen from her drawer. She herself took the responsibility of collecting and keeping the cash, so she is 100% responsible for every lost penny.

Even if this were a police case, the first question the police would ask her is, "Why did you not lock the drawer?" or "Why didn't you keep the cash in a safer place rather than your drawer?" No way can the police or anyone else hold the management responsible.

HR management should not let their employees take advantage of situations like these. It is by no means the responsibility of the HRM for "lost or stolen goods which were kept on open display" unless someone has "broken" into a locked safe or drawer; only then, in this case, can there be a proper search and announcement.

If you leave your belongings as an open invitation to all, there is nothing that the HRM or even the police can do! Think again how silly this woman was to leave nothing else but hard cash lying in her drawer without a lock and then demand a public announcement! For what? It would only show others how careless she is, and nobody is going to trust her with their cash in the future.

You did the right thing by not announcing this matter; you saved her a lot of criticism. Be careful with your belongings and the belongings of others that you have taken responsibility for because "what's gone is gone forever."

Hello all,

The loss of 200 is symptomatic; it could've been 3600 or around, but only 100 each. Normally, in the second instance, it should have been less than 100, but again, 100 is intriguing. It doesn't appear to be a case of greed or financial difficulty tempting the culprit. This, to me, appears to be a case of somebody deriving pleasure from this. Then, this is a serious issue. Some word-of-mouth publicity is to be given to check whether this is an isolated event or it has been happening; small money means nobody bothers! In the latter case, you have a nut among us, and it can be very dangerous. You may think of CCTV or some such monitoring in that case. It is quite possible; it may not be office boys or cleaners but rather somebody quite well-to-do. I've seen this happening many times.

Regards,
KK Nair

Dear All,

These are common things happening in each office. Experience says the following may work, so please try it:

1. Listen with empathy and let the complainant know you have understood the problem. Ask for some time (perhaps one hour).

2. Send the complainant an email describing the complaint and ask him/her to confirm whether your understanding is correct before proceeding with further action.

3. Upon confirmation, politely bring to his/her attention that this goes against the service manual and company policy.

4. If the matter escalates, make sure to send copies to your boss as well as the complainant's boss.

5. Be cautious with verbal complaints. People might have a lot of domestic problems, leading them to create disturbances in the workplace.

6. The basic rule in such cases is CYOA. I hope you are familiar with the meaning.

7. Also, please refer to my earlier post on mobile theft in the office, which is similar to cash being stolen.

Cheers!!!

Govind
+91 98338 90250

Hi,

Please note that this case involves theft, and it implies that the people involved in this issue are voluntarily engaging in this behavior. Therefore, I believe we should address the team members regarding the theft in a formal meeting. We should emphasize the importance of trust within the company, from upper management to lower-level employees, and help them understand the impact of individual loss and the emotional toll it takes on those affected.

By highlighting the personal consequences of their actions, the individuals involved will hopefully realize their mistake and refrain from such behavior in the future. It is essential to approach these situations with a solution-oriented mindset, emphasizing our trust in them as valuable members of our team. As we work with human resources, we have the opportunity to guide and shape them into responsible and trustworthy individuals.

Thank you.

Dear HR India,

Well, the first thing I would have told that employee is that her situation reminds me of an Alfred Hitchcock thriller where every day one doll was removed and the next day a person was murdered.

You lose money on the first day, and then you do not take precautions, and you lose money again and complain. It is like if it starts raining, you go out without an umbrella and complain that you are getting wet.

I have told earlier in the post by Sujata regarding Mobile Loss, that these types of issues should be nipped in the bud. You have a locker; you don't lock it, lose money, and blame it on the office and the official punch bag (which is HR in most cases). Tell her it is not an issue that HR should be bothered about and neither are they employed to look after employees' belongings. If there is a Security Officer, he/she can be approached, but they too are not kept to look into these matters. If the person behaves well, assist her; otherwise, tell her to get lost in a polite way.

One more thing, please tell me, is it advisable not to take safety and security precautions because there has been no incident? Do we leave our doors open when we leave our house because our houses have never been robbed?

In the end, I just wish to draw your attention to why you need to talk with the sub-staff like office boys and sweepers. You are approaching them because they are poor and powerless. Why don't you ask everyone?

I have a hunch that somebody is playing pranks or the employee is a kleptomaniac or she is involved herself.

Has anyone ever heard about stealing in installments? :P

Regards,

SC

I also agree with Smitha. Also, to be on the safer side, we should be careful in locking the drawers. Keeping the drawer open is as good as giving a chance, and recording is good! The best thing is to be careful so that there are no doubts on anybody, and the ultimate responsibility lies with us only. Organizational policy shall be that the management will not be responsible for any loss.

I am also a witness to the same situation due to my carelessness. Though we have a CCTV surveillance system, it was not traceable. Ultimately, I was the loser.

Regards,
Rema

Hi HR_India,

I understand that you are quite serious about finding the culprit. We all will come to your rescue. Please select a day I can visit your office to do the investigation and inform me. My travel expenses at your cost, please.

Jeeva.

Hi all,

It is not that simple, but let us try these tips:

1. Not everyone who agreed may have paid the amount; some might have promised to give later. Calculating for all individuals may sometimes be overlooked. Please check this.

2. Why is there a shortage in 100 denominations every day? What is the logic behind it?

3. Someone we all know should be keeping a constant watch on the place where the money is stored. Catch the person who is monitoring it.

4. What is wrong with informing people about this problem instead of taking the personal risk of investing your money?

5. Calmly handle the situation where the required amount is missing and keep it a secret before it becomes a fuss.

Hope you find these suggestions helpful.

Regards,
Srinivaskvmk

Please go and tell her that it is not your problem if she took the responsibility of collecting money and then made a questionable decision to leave the drawer open. Has she previously left money like this exposed?

You don't have to be rude like me, but convey this message to her subtly.

Hi all,

I didn't visit this site for the past 2-3 days because of my hectic schedule in the office. Thank you so much for all the emails I have received. I would like to share what I did. I also contributed $200 for the gift, so I struck out my name from the list and told that lady to be careful in the future. Some employees like to create a big scene for small incidents, and she falls under that category. Now she started locking her drawer.

Thanks for the correction, Jaya:)

Tnx

Hello,

I feel someone in the office is playing a prank. Otherwise, I do not see a reason for someone to pick a 100-rupee note. It is not that some money was left in a drawer for the first time (because as stated, this office has been in existence for the past 4 years or more). There could have been numerous instances wherein money would have been in the office in wallets, drawers, and bags, etc. One more thing, they could as well have taken more money or the whole, why only a 100-rupee note.

But, if you still feel that someone is a culprit, I think it is better to discuss this first thing in the morning. You can call a meeting and discuss this. It all depends on how seriously you convey the message. Ask them for suggestions on how to deal with such a situation and what is the best solution to prevent this from happening next time.

This should solve the problem.

Hi,

Good to know that it's kind of sorted out. I would just suggest one thing - keep your ears open. Is there bad word going around the office about you? Do you hear people saying, "This HR is hiding things from us, the management doesn't want to get things cleared, they don't care," etc.? I know you might find this message odd, but the nature of the incident suggests there is a prank involved. A prank is okay until someone wants to get even with you on a personal level, but it should not reflect in your professional role.

I support your decision of not telling the employees in haste; that just creates panic and distrust.

Eventually, you can tell people to be more sensitive to security and not take things for granted.

Please keep a close watch on what talk is going on about you in the company. Never ever be a victim of these things.

Best of luck