Night Shift Vandalism: How Can We Catch the Culprit Damaging Company Property?

I am working as an HR officer in a manufacturing firm. The problem is someone damages the urinal partitions, the wire mesh on windows, etc., in toilets. We had to replace flush toilets because of such activities. I am not able to find the culprit as no one claims to see the person. This usually happens during the night shift.

Is there any way of finding the culprit so as to put an end to such activities?

Address the department concerned whose staff are working in night shifts. Speak to HOD and ask him to pass a message downwards that company property being damaged will cause inconvenience to workers themselves and impact their facilities. Think in terms of CCTV coverage in the area.

Understanding Employee Frustration and Property Damage

Let us try to understand the psychology of the individuals who destroy company property. If employees are damaging company property during the night shift, it reflects their frustration. It also results from their mental disconnect, as they do not identify with the company. There appears to be a significant "us and them" divide.

Workers might perceive management as oppressive. When they cannot confront management directly, they inflict losses on the company by covertly destroying toilet accessories.

A partial reason for this could be the recruitment of ragtag elements of society. Their uncouthness emerges because they cannot suppress it for long. How many of those working the night shift are paid minimum wages? How many are unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers?

One way to change their attitude is by training the workers on attitude, ownership, career building, etc. However, this would be treating symptoms rather than the cause. The real issue is that leadership has failed to be a role model for the employees at the lowest rung.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

Dear Yo2487, This is in addition to what I have written in my previous post. How are workers treated on the shop floor? Do shop floor managers or supervisors abuse the workers? Since they are unable to retaliate, they could be venting their anger through destructive activities.

Labor Union and Leadership Involvement

Do you have a labor union? Are any labor leaders instigating the employees? Have you taken disciplinary action against any workers in the recent past? Try to find if there is any pattern in the events.

Grievance Handling Mechanism

Does your company have a well-instituted grievance handling mechanism? If yes, how many grievances came up for hearing in the last financial year? How is the interpersonal environment in the company? Have you conducted any surveys on the interpersonal environment on the shop floor?

Leadership Engagement with Workers

How frequently does the top leadership meet with the workers?

Mr. Nathrao has suggested the installation of CCTV cameras. In addition to this, your top management may call all the workers and meet with them without the presence of supervisors or managers (Skip meeting). Provide assurance that if they have any grudges against anyone, they can approach HR and not resort to destroying company property.

Addressing Vandalism and Organizational Culture

Instances of vandalism of company property are not new. Not necessarily limited to manufacturing companies, it happens everywhere. Software professionals in software companies have deleted valuable data to ensure no trace of evidence is left. However, all this boils down to unaddressed simmering discontent.

From the HR management standpoint, these are signs of the organization's culture. Whether the issue is addressed or not, it is time to audit the organization's culture and fix the cracks.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

Well said, Dinesh. The first step ought to be root cause analysis. Besides the treatment of shop floor operators, how is the night shift treated? Are there any extra privileges/benefits? It could be as small as a cup of tea and snacks, so maybe there are two breaks, one around midnight and another around 4 AM.

CCTV in a toilet. Not too sure if that is even allowed.

"CCTV in a toilet. Not too sure if that is even allowed."

I never suggested CCTVs inside the toilet. The area nearby can be put under coverage so that a general idea of who, and when, is using the area. CCTV within the toilet area will be a violation of privacy, but outside in the general area will be in order. However, CCTV is not a solution to problems. Destruction of property is done by people who are either vandals by nature or by someone having a grudge or genuine grievance not attended to, and therefore releasing their frustration on the company's property. That needs deeper examination.

Thank you all for your replies and valuable suggestions. With respect to Dinesh sir’s questions:

1) Contract workers are paid the minimum wages, and company workers are paid above the minimum wages as per their respective designation, length of service, etc.

2) The unskilled jobs are performed by contract workers, while the semi-skilled and skilled ones are handled by regular employees.

3) Regarding treatment on the shop floor, there are no instances of abuse as such matters are taken seriously. Anyone can complain against an abuser and may directly approach the top boss.

4) There is no labor union. Disciplinary action is taken regarding sleeping on duty, wrong production, improper labeling, etc.

5) We have a grievance handling committee where worker representatives discuss their problems with the Manager. Such meetings are held quarterly, and the points discussed and actions taken to solve the issues are sent to the top boss.

I have a feeling that these activities are carried out by contract workers. The reason being that we have made strict checks for tobacco, gutka, etc., which were carried by the contract workers and are thrown away if found, and the said contractor is warned. The unavailability of these items to the addicted may be the main reason for such activity.

I will try to follow the suggestions posted to stop such incidences. Thank you.

There must be some disgruntled employees. Normally, employees show their anger either against their superiors or management. We must have some feedback from loyal employees. Then one can follow such troublemakers and trap them.

Addressing Property Damage During Night Shifts

To recover the cost of damaged property, you have suggested imposing a fine on all persons working the night shift. However, by doing this, the organization could be punishing innocent individuals as well. This goes against the principles of natural justice. Indian Labour Laws do not allow salary deductions based on assumptions.

Secondly, the risk of penalizing innocent persons is that their morale will decrease since they will be penalized for no fault of their own. The cost of this morale depletion could be much higher than the damage to the property itself. Moreover, it could negatively affect the organization's culture. In an extreme scenario, more individuals could become frustrated and may join in the destruction. How long can the organization continue punishing the night shift personnel in such a manner?

If employees are destroying company property during the night shift, it is a reflection of their frustration. Arrange a meeting with the night shift employees. Emphasize that any future incidents will result in severe penalties for all involved in the violence and damage to company property. If such incidents occur again, consider terminating the employment of the individual deemed most aggressive and violent. Setting this example will likely deter further violations of company property.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

I have also experienced working on the night shift. This situation is 100% happening where the property damage rate is maximum during the night shift. From my experience with such issues, I think five things always matter in the reputation of such an unsafe work culture:

1. Excessive burden of work to meet the demand of the organization.
2. Low payment scale for workers.
3. Lack of rest time (6-night shift work in a week; culture is the main reason behind all property damage).
4. Ergonomics of workers ignored.
5. Lack of training for workers who are responsible during shift work.