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Rude Awakenings

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They rifle through your desk, snoop in your bag and even search your pockets!

Who are these people? Coworkers, employers, clients and cleaning staff. When you’re away from your desk, the things that take place could be more than just annoying.

I once had a young secretary who thought it was perfectly alright to go into my desk and help herself to hand cream…and whatever else she liked. When I noticed my expensive hand cream, (given to me as a gift), half empty only a week after I put it in my desk, I took action. Carrying the drained tube, I walked up to her and asked (point blank) if she knew who had used the hand cream. She nonchalantly (without an apology), admitted to helping herself to my desk. I decided to put the thievery to an end that moment by telling her my desk, and it’s contents, were not up for grabs. From that point on, I locked my desk when away from it, I could no longer trust her.

I’m not the only person to experience this type of behavior at the office. People have told me similar stories of coworkers lifting personal items from desks, bags, brief cases, coats hanging in their offices, and more. As if that weren’t bad enough, bosses, clients and cleaning staff have also been a part of office thievery.

While hand cream may be considered a minor offense, a coworker helping themselves to whatever they want can lead to serious thefts. True examples would be the employee who took home company phones, electronic equipment and anything else not nailed down in his workplace. He accumulated quite a stash that he used or sold. Another employee ordered school supplies for her three children via the company worth hundreds of dollars, lying to the person who ordered supplies. And still another stole a coworker’s business cards off her desk, gave them to someone else, who posed as that person! These are major offenses which cost coworkers, employers and those that commit them when they are caught.

Most places of business have security cameras which catch any number of things taking place. If valuable personal affects have been taken at work, report it immediately, ask security to review camera footage during that period of time. Time is of the essence, some companies use camera film which is purged weekly or monthly.

To protect personal items, always lock your desk, place bags and briefcases inside–better yet take them with you. Don’t leave anything in coat pockets hanging on doors. Whatever is of value, don’t put on top of the desk, those are easily taken. It’s best to leave expensive picture frames, gold pens, and the like at home. Just remember, nice things are tempting to people without a conscience.

©2012

 

 


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