The majority of office workers have confessed to stealing from their employer on more than one occasion.
A recent survey, conducted by employment law consultancy Peninsula, found that a staggering 72% of office workers in the UK admitted to stealing from their employer more than once.
Contrary to these findings, however, more than 81% of those who stole said that they believed stealing to be morally wrong.
Peter Done, managing director of Peninsula, warned employers that a culture where it is deemed ‘acceptable and commonplace’ to steal from your employer seems to be emerging.
He said: “The issue of workers stealing from their employer is a serious one; the nature of which is often underestimated.
“The ethical boundaries that once existed in our society appear to be becoming ever more watered down and eroded.
“Employers need to make it clear in their employees’ contracts of employment that stealing is unacceptable, whilst also setting out clear punishments for anybody who does so.”
The most common items stolen ranged from small amounts of stationery such as post-it notes, pens, pencils and paper to computer programmes and equipment.
However, Done added that if employees can get away with stealing smaller items they may well be tempted to steal larger and more expensive items, which could cost the company even more.
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2007
