Summary
Excellent article! The article is important as it correctly identified what most astute companies already know. Employee theft is on the rise as the economy takes a drip for the worst. As wallets tighten and income shrink employees will find creative ways to steal and or look for opportunities to save money. Many times employees rationalize and will justify taking office supplies or company product home as a barter exchange for services or due to the employee having taken a reduction in pay or accepted reduced hours.
Analysis
Employers should call on IA, Legal, and compliance to review current business practices to improve processes and eliminate waste. Many existing audit department are fully capable of making improvements to existing business processes when Sr. Management elicits their input and makes this a top propriety. Look for creative ways to assess current business practices using teams that involve resources from both IA and Compliance and SR. management. We have done this at my current employers and have seen an immediate return on our efforts. Again, keep your eyes and ears open and think outside the box. If you do not your employees will.
