How Long Do Employee Theft Investigations Take?
Theft is a matter that must be taken seriously. Employees stealing from the company they work for cause many problems for the business. Employee investigations into a recent workplace theft can, however, get a swift result in the otherwise tedious process.
There are some things you should consider when carrying out an employee theft investigation, such as when the company should start the investigation, evidences needed, the steps of the inspection and how long it takes.
When Should A Company Start An Employee Theft Investigation?
When company theft by an employee is suspected, then the business must act quickly. If a company is lucky enough to catch the culprit red-handed in the act, then the following investigation should be short and sweet.
However, if the employee theft only has circumstantial evidence then a full employee investigation must be undertaken. Even if there is only a slight suspicion of employee company theft, it is recommended that the company proceed to open an investigation straight away as the criminal process and loss of company properties will only start upon the beginning of the investigation.
What Evidence Is Needed To Prove An Employee Is Stealing (Cctv/Witness Statements)?
As you can imagine with any accusation, a complete investigation must take place and definitive evidence must be provided at the end of the process. Substantial proof of the crime is not enough in this case.
Concrete evidence can come in the form of:
- Showing the company's audit records so that as much information can be showed for the crime.
- Examine other employees that have a close connection to the suspected thief to see if there are any inconsistent behaviours.
- CCTV is a very good piece of evidence to bring to the investigation, if the quality is good and the culprit can be clearly identified.
- Other employee statements can also be used in the process of an employee investigation against theft.
After all evidence if collected, it is recommended to keep all details in one resource.
What Steps Need To Be Taken When The Investigation Has Concluded?
As soon as enough evidence has been collected to determine the culprit to be guilty of company theft, then get in contact with your insurance agent to figure out your rights. To reclaim the loss of company property, you should first review the policy processes and final dates of filing such a claim against an employee.
Furthermore, a Proof of Claim (PoC) must also be provided which shows the order and chronological steps of how the theft occurred. All the supporting documentation must also be provided in this PoC.
How Long Does This Normally Take?
As each case of employee company theft is different and unique it is hard to determine an exact length of time for how this should take. Once all documentation has been provided to your insurer then they take over the remainder of the investigation, and therefore it is advisable to ask them how long this could go on for.