Discovering a suspicion of theft involving an employee under the age of eighteen requires a particularly cautious and considered approach. It’s crucial to take a step back and plan your actions thoughtfully before confronting the individual or even initiating a formal investigation. An ill-conceived approach can have significant and challenging consequences for you, your business, and the young person involved.
Our advice is that the moment a suspicion arises, arrange a meeting involving the young employee and their parent or guardian. It’s also wise to have a second person, ideally independent of your business, present as your witness during this discussion.
In the meeting, present the evidence you have gathered in a calm and factual manner, and then provide an opportunity for them to respond. It’s paramount that you remain civil, stick to the facts, and avoid letting emotions cloud your communication. Actively listen to their response and take it into consideration.
Be prepared with a reasonable course of action if they ask what you intend to do about the situation. If there is agreement on your proposed resolution, you can then move forward accordingly.
However, if there isn’t agreement on your proposal, or if the young person denies the theft, you must have your next steps ready. This subsequent action should be fair, reasonable, and primarily aimed at uncovering verifiable truth.
If there is an admission of theft and the employee is casual, our recommendation is immediate termination, ensuring all legally owed entitlements are paid out. It’s often best to draw a line under the matter at this point and move forward. Avoid discussing the situation outside of your business. In close-knit communities, particularly outside major cities, constantly revisiting such issues can be incredibly damaging to your reputation.
If an agreement cannot be reached, ask the other party what resolution they propose. It’s possible that even while denying the theft, they may be willing to part ways with the business. If this isn’t the case, you could suggest mediation as a way forward. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s office may be able to offer assistance in this area. Alternatively, you could suggest that both parties report the matter to the police.
It’s vital to understand that once you involve parents or guardians, you need to be prepared to see the matter through to a reasonable conclusion.
The key message here is that handling suspected theft by someone under eighteen demands careful consideration and thorough planning. This will help ensure that you, your business, and the young person involved are all treated fairly and safely throughout the process.
This advice is provided by newsXpress for the benefit of all local small business retailers who stop by here. We are a marketing group that helps local retailers thrive.
