Facing Diesel Theft at Work: How Should I Handle This Stressful Situation?

Dear all,

In our construction company, the storekeeper has cheated us with 900 liters of diesel, amounting to approximately Rs. 38,000. He signed all the credit memos of the petrol pump.

On 4th May, he came to me and said that his father is very serious, and he has to go to his house. I granted him leave for the same. After he left our site, the petrol pump's manager asked us to pay the diesel amount. However, in our records, we found a significant difference in the diesel amount and quantity.

Now, the petrol pump manager is asking for the amount to be paid, as our authorized person signed the credit memos. After investigation, we found that both the petrol pump's worker and our storekeeper have been involved in these actions.

After calling the storekeeper several times, he refuses to come back and claims that he did these things with the help of the petrol pump owner. Now, the petrol pump manager is asking for this fake amount, and I can recover only Rs. 12,000 from the storekeeper's salary.

I am so stressed. What should I do? Please suggest to me.

Thanks.

Regards,
G K Sharma

Please note, no legal action can be taken against the storekeeper because you have signed all the receipts. The only way to recover the amount is from his provident fund if he is a member and has completed 5 years of service.

Regards,
Rajendra Singh

Steps to Address the Issue with the Storekeeper

Lodge a police complaint and hold the payment until the police investigation is over. You can check his references given at the time of appointment and seek his assistance to resolve the matter. Finally, withhold his pending dues. You can also warn him of the potential publication of his name in the local newspaper in case of non-cooperation.

Regards,
A.K. Nandy

It is a very interesting case. Police investigation is an option, but many times police do not cooperate. A legal letter can be sent to his home, and his parents/relatives can be informed about his deed. If he looks for another employment, his reference check will be conducted, and then negative feedback can be provided. Through social pressure, the money can be recovered. Also, you can switch your petrol pump vendor and ensure proper checks so that it does not get repeated. We can only learn from such incidents.

Regards, Kumar Manoj

Steps to Address the Issue

1. Make a police complaint immediately.
2. Issue a show cause notice.
3. Suspend from the duties with immediate effect (w.e.f.).

Thanks & Regards,

Yogesh Kulkarni
Assistant Manager – HR
Krishidhan Seeds Pvt. Ltd.
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

Handling the Storekeeper's Misconduct

Please check all the dues (Bonus, Medical, LTA) that your company has to pay to him. Still, some more are pending from his side to pay. Depending on the amount, you can make the decision. With immediate effect, issue a termination letter mentioning the reason that he has betrayed the company. Unless the recovery amount is substantial, there is no need to go for a legal notice. Issuing a legal notice is better than approaching the police department.

Choose whichever option is better and doesn't cause more trouble to your company. Solve the issue in a smooth way; otherwise, it may backfire on you. Your management may question you about your monitoring capabilities. So, make the decision wisely.

Regards,
Ramana