Did I do the right thing?

[Sowa]

I'm a supervisor at a pet store. I found out a 300 dollar item went missing so I checked over the cameras and found out a staff member had stolen it. I like this person, got along well with him etc so I hesitated before saying anything. I got the opinions of 5 other people as what they'd do, including a fellow supervisor. I felt it was the right thing to do to tell the manager.

A few minutes later I get a message from the staff who stole it saying we were no longer friends. He has to pay for the item, but I still have to work with him everyday. So now my life is going to be horrible. i don't know if he is going to try to steal from me to get back at me or what. It's very stressful.

What would you do in this situation???

[Karen]

I am surprised he did not get fired! You absolutely did the right thing. If he makes your life miserable for it, he was never a good friend to begin with! I would ask the manager if you can not share many shifts with him for the time being, if that is possible! He may have stolen it just to see if he could get away with it, and now is disappointed with the outcome. Do not let him take it out on you kiddo - you did the right thing.

[RICHARD]

Here's what you do,

Don't park your car in the same place, if you drive to work - or park near a camera.

If you have a locker, empty it out and only keep what you really need inside.

DO NOT bring a wallet or valuables in with you, get a small wallet or a traveler's wallet that goes around your neck and keep a few dollars and your car keys inside.

Share any text messages or tweets with the bosses and your family.

Don't engage them with any out-of-work talk and keep it professional.

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IF they thought they were going to get away with it and maybe to get you to cover for them? The friendship isn't worth saving.

[mon]

Aww, that's awful, he put you in a terrible position. Of course, you did the right thing, he knows stealing is wrong and it would have been a lot better if he'd been fired. You sure don't need him as a friend, but now you're fearful of him on top of it. You can't give him the power to wreck your life or even your day. He sounds like a DB. It's hard to say what to do, ya think he's violent or disturbed or simply a thief? I wish you all the best, it sounds like you value your job and hopefully someone can give you some better solutions than I. You should be proud that you are an honest person at least!

[mon]

Okay, then! Richard was far more helpful than I. Some very sound suggestions, all.

[mon]

I,m pretty sure the manager or someone else would have checked the video footage anyhow, just outta common sense to figure out who lifted the money. Guess he didn't know there was a camera on him or just didn't care. Can,t believe he blames you when he,s the thief. Sigh...

[kaycountrygal]

I think you did the right thing and I can't believe he wasn't fired. If he annoys you on purpose, report him to management.

[Sowa]

He kept saying it happened on monday it happened on monday. I suggested the manager look on tuesday and he kept saying no, it was monday. So I figured i'd check tuesday, I thought he was covering for someone but it turns out it was himself

[Lady's Human]

Thieves get no respect, and I doubt anyone in the store will ever trust the individual again.

I'm amazed he wasn't fired. I would take Richard's advice as a CYA measure, you ever know what someone will do in retaliation.

[mbsmum]

You did right thing, I am also very surprised, he is not fired.

[RICHARD]

One thing I forgot to mention?

You will have to deal with that person to give them job assignments, etc.?

Try to have a third party present when you do.

You never know when people will 'mis-hear' a conversation?

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I once had an idiot supervisor say that I 'ran down the hallway, cursing' outside her office while she was with another employee.

I told her that I wanted to meet with that person and hear their side of the story, because I didn't remember doing it. And, if that person was correct, she was more than welcome to write me up.

She NEVER brought it up again.

[chocolatepuppy]

You did the right thing. He should have been fired, period! Next time someone steals, no on will turn them in knowing the person will still be there.

[phesina]

You did your job! And it was absolutely the right thing to do.

[Taz_Zoee]

You definitely did the right thing. However, your employer did not. He should have been fired.

[cassiesmom]

One thing I forgot to mention?

You will have to deal with that person to give them job assignments, etc.?

Try to have a third party present when you do.

You never know when people will 'mis-hear' a conversation?

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I once had an idiot supervisor say that I 'ran down the hallway, cursing' outside her office while she was with another employee.

I told her that I wanted to meet with that person and hear their side of the story, because I didn't remember doing it. And, if that person was correct, she was more than welcome to write me up.

She NEVER brought it up again.

I'm with Richard on this one.
Also - You might want to take notes on all of this in case someone from your company returns to you with questions later. If you are alone with this person for any reason, keep yourself between him and the exit. Keep your conversations factual, so that nothing you say is open to misinterpretation in any way. Don't walk to your car alone after work, if you can avoid it. You definitely did the right thing and your company should back you up big-time. This person should have been let go.