Facing a Salary Hold and Complaint After New Hire Theft: How Should I Navigate This?

I'm working as HR in the banking sector. Recently, we had a theft in our office where a new joiner took money and fled. Now, they are withholding my salary and filing a complaint against the HR department. However, it was the department manager and branch head who shortlisted the candidate. I seek guidance on how to handle this situation.

Thank you.

HR Responsibility in Office Theft

How can an HR representative be held responsible for theft in the office? The admin department should lodge a police complaint for the theft.

Regards,
Pon

Management's Role in Employee Performance and Accountability

Does your management give you a promotion or any benefits if an employee does a great job that helps the business grow significantly? If so, then you are responsible. HR will recruit but is not responsible for their actions; let the management lodge a complaint. Tell them very specifically that you are in no way concerned with that, and if necessary, take legal action.

Regards,
Kamesh

This is a very unique case in my view. Your management is holding your salary just because you work in HR-Recruitment..!! You should immediately submit a written request stating that the candidate was like any other candidate and was shortlisted by a specific person based on his abilities. No one was aware that he would commit theft, and there is no basis for any complaints against the HR Department. Therefore, holding your salary due to such an act is unjust. Kindly release your payment at the earliest. If they do not release your payment, you can inform them that while you do not wish to take this step, if your payment is not released, you will have to approach the Labour Office for resolution.

As this is a case of theft, the bank should file a complaint against the person to the Police and track him with the help of the documents he submitted.

Hope this information helps you. Cheers.

This case is a rare one and might happen in organizations worldwide. I believe that HR is a business partner, and consequently, I have some questions in mind: Who created the long list, and who approved the shortlisted candidates? What is your recruitment policy and procedure? What type of guarantee are you taking from new joiners? Since the nature of your organization is for-profit and mostly in the financial sector, a strong reference letter should be obtained from the staff member. After evaluating all the pros and cons of the case, I'm sure you will be in a good position to make a decision. In my view, your organization should implement a strict recruitment policy rather than withholding your salary.

Please let me know if I can be of any assistance in the future.
Regards.

I don't think the company can withhold your salary for the theft of the money. The person in charge of the locker/drawer should be held responsible, as it is his/her responsibility to keep it locked.

Lodge a police complaint and send someone to his residence (I hope you have the address). Don't worry, you will get your salary.

I have a different opinion. As HR, have you conducted his/her Background Verification (BGV)? Secondly, before assigning the task of cashiering in the bank, have you completed his police verification, which is a requirement for almost all banking sectors for the Cashier post? Lastly, don't you have a policy or security check at the beginning and end of the day for your staff? Does your bank respond casually towards its staff? If you file a police case, they will ask the same questions that I have raised.

Learn from the above episode, make necessary corrections in the policy, and take corrective steps before assigning any task to a new joiner as an HR, instead of just complaining about the situation.

This is a very strange case, and I am really surprised to know that your salary is being held due to a theft case involving a new employee. It is even more surprising to learn that an HR interview was not conducted for this particular candidate. If an HR had interacted with the candidate, there might have been a chance to identify any red flags during the interview process. However, even if an interview had taken place, it does not guarantee a full understanding of the candidate's behavioral traits in a short face-to-face interaction.

You are not responsible for this situation. I recommend that you first request the exact reason for the hold on your salary in writing from the officials. Secondly, provide your explanation in writing. Additionally, handle this situation with care and maintain a polite demeanor with the organization, as any negative impact could affect your employment.

Regards,
Ashutosh