An all-to-common route practices take when confronted with a member of staff on the take is to demand the money is repaid in exchange for a quick exit and no more questions asked.

This week sees the uncovering of a case (see News) in which a new employee fleeced her employer for more than £2,000 within four months of taking up her new job. It couldn't have been simpler, with the miscreant pocketing the money from cash sales and not entering the sale in the till.
In such crimes there are many victims. The practice is likely to offset its losses on to patients or its insurance company. Patients may be directly cheated. But the biggest losers are the majority of honest staff who come under suspicion and the breach of trust that inevitably occurs.
It has become increasingly common to hear of practices that have been robbed by their own trusted staff. However, an all-to-common route practices take when confronted with a member of staff on the take is to demand the money is repaid in exchange for a quick exit and no more questions asked.
Like a Victorian family whose son has been indiscreet with one of the servants, the incident is hushed up for fear of bringing shame on the house. The thief makes all the right contrite noises and ships out. Unfortunately, as has been seen in the past, the next port of call is all to often another optical practice, glowing reference in hand. Needless to say this unsuspecting employer often suffers the same fate.
optician agrees with the advice in our tale this week. If you discover a thief in your midst, have them prosecuted. Bringing their crime to light does not reflect badly on you or your business and the thief is not left at liberty to inflict the same kind of damage on someone else.
It also means hard-working, honest staff can live without suspicion in an atmosphere of trust.For a full listing of RBI titles http://www.reedbusiness.comDon't let crime payOpticianEditorial tel: 020 8652 8243 Editorial Fax: 020 8652 8993
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