The inside threat

American Surveyor just published an article titled Surveying Equipment Theft. The author, Bryan Baker, discusses theft by outsiders, but he points out that: “It is a sad fact that some equipment is stolen by company employees.”

That’s not just true for surveyors. It’s true for you, too. Here are four reasons why untrustworthy employees are especially potent theft risks.

They have access. If you’ve got an office, they’re already inside. If you’ve got a job site, they’re already there. They don’t have to break in or sneak through a gap in the fence.

They’re familiar. If a stranger wanders into your office or on to your job site, people notice. They stop what they’re doing to see what the stranger wants. People who work for you can wander about freely.

They know the value of what they steal. Mr. Baker makes that point about special surveying equipment, but it’s true for most office and construction equipment, too.

They have your trust. When you hire someone, you start treating them like part of the team. Most of the time that’s just fine, but someone who’s got mischief on his or her mind is going to use that trust for their own ends.

You can’t hire security guards to watch everyone all the time. But you can screen everyone well and investigate thefts rigorously.

Screen well. A criminal background check can highlight applicants who may have a criminal past. A pre-employment credit check can help you spot applicants living beyond their apparent means.

Screen everyone. Don’t just screen the people who “look” like they’re shady or the ones you have a “gut sense” about. The most dangerous crooks are the ones you don’t suspect.

Investigate rigorously. If you do suffer theft investigate things yourself. File a police report. The only chance you have of catching the thief is if you investigate. And there’s a deterrent effect, too. The thing criminals worry about most is getting caught. If they think they may get caught stealing from you, they’ll go steal from someone else.