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Establish Security Procedures, Policies and Programs to Protect your Business from Internal Theft In my most recent columns I’ve covered some serious external threats to small businesses, such as armed robbery, carjacking, burglary and arson. But the small business owner must also be aware of and concerned about internal threats to his or her business as well. Studies show that internal theft accounts for more than one third of stolen money and products. Nearly every day one reads about a trusted church, charity or local small business employee who was caught stealing. The employer is shocked at the discovery and fellow employees can’t believe it. He or she was the last person they would suspect of stealing. But unbeknown to his or her employer and fellow employees, he or she had a drug and/or gambling habit, was in dept, was disgruntled, or simply had a larcenous bent. So without being unduly suspicious of one’s employees, a business owner should establish procedures, policies and programs that protect the business from internal theft. For more than twenty years I was the administrative officer for a Defense Department command in Philadelphia and I oversaw all security programs. Internal theft was minimal in large part because most Defense Department employees were and are honest. Most federal employees believe their federal career is a relatively good one so they would not risk their career by stealing government property or another employee’s personal property. Yes, Virginia, one can be fired from the government. And one quick way to be removed from federal service is to be caught stealing. In my Defense Department command we established security procedures, policies and programs. All employees were made aware of them and they were instructed to observe them. We also had a very low turnover rate. Studies have shown that businesses with low turnover rates also have the lowest internal theft rates. Long-term employees and newer employees who believe they have a future with the firm feel invested in the business and they generally don’t steal. But even the most secure government facility and the most generous business will have some incidents of internal theft. Security professionals believe the below basic tips will help protect your business against internal theft:
While most employees are honest, a smart business owner should recall what President Ronald Reagan called his policy towards the Soviets. “Trust, but verify.” Paul Davis is a writer who covers crime & security for newspapers, magazines and the Internet. He can be reached at pauldavisoncrime@aol.com |
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