Sticky fingers-stealing other people's food/office supplies

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Lately this has been happening more frequently at our company and we all wonder what we can do about it. They're asking to put "reminders" not to steal other people's food and/or office supplies. How can a "reminder" help this situation? The individual doesn't need to be reminded not to steal, just keep their hands off from what doesn't belong to them.

Some people find it funny or dismiss it as being petty. But others, including myself, find it disrespectful, dishonest and unethical. If this individual doesn't have any regards for other's people's property, I wonder how he or she is with patients or other types of jobs that involves money or information that is confidential? Will that individual also tamper with medical records, (ie. I heard of CNAs making up BP numbers), steal money or medications? I wouldn't trust this individual to work for me.

Putting a surveillance camera is out of the question as that violates everybody's privacy. Has this ever happened at your facility or company? Did they ever caught the culprit? If so, what happened to him/her?

Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

Here's an idea:

If you bring your lunch in a soft-sided lunch box, simply use a zip tie. Loop the tie through the eye of the zipper and then loop it to the strap of the lunch box. Nobody will have the time to rip through it, and you will likely have scissors handy.

I also keep my lunch in my locker and use the gel ice blocks to keep it cool. Our refrigerators are disgusting.

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lately this has been happening more frequently at our company and we all wonder what we can do about it. they're asking to put "reminders" not to steal other people's food and/or office supplies. how can a "reminder" help this situation? the individual doesn't need to be reminded not to steal, just keep their hands off from what doesn't belong to them.

some people find it funny or dismiss it as being petty. but others, including myself, find it disrespectful, dishonest and unethical. if this individual doesn't have any regards for other's people's property, i wonder how he or she is with patients or other types of jobs that involves money or information that is confidential? will that individual also tamper with medical records, (ie. i heard of cnas making up bp numbers), steal money or medications? i wouldn't trust this individual to work for me.

putting a surveillance camera is out of the question as that violates everybody's privacy. has this ever happened at your facility or company? did they ever caught the culprit? if so, what happened to him/her?

that's absolutely not true. there are certain places where employees have the expectation of privacy, such as restroom stalls and changing areas. there is no assumed right to privacy in the vicinity of a refrigerator, office supply storage room, med room, etc. employers have cameras on these locations all the time. it's their property and security cameras such as these are perfectly legal and ethical.

i would wonder if the people who think stealing peoples' food or supplies is "funny" and attempts to curb this as being "petty" might actually be the culprits.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.
Lately this has been happening more frequently at our company and we all wonder what we can do about it. They're asking to put "reminders" not to steal other people's food and/or office supplies. How can a "reminder" help this situation? The individual doesn't need to be reminded not to steal, just keep their hands off from what doesn't belong to them.

Some people find it funny or dismiss it as being petty. But others, including myself, find it disrespectful, dishonest and unethical. If this individual doesn't have any regards for other's people's property, I wonder how he or she is with patients or other types of jobs that involves money or information that is confidential? Will that individual also tamper with medical records, (ie. I heard of CNAs making up BP numbers), steal money or medications? I wouldn't trust this individual to work for me.

Putting a surveillance camera is out of the question as that violates everybody's privacy. Has this ever happened at your facility or company? Did they ever caught the culprit? If so, what happened to him/her?

A video camera would only be a violation of privacy if the employees have a right to EXPECT privacy ie: bathrooms or staff locker rooms. Public areas such as a breakroom can certainly be equipped with a camera....

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There are places that you get to bring in food.... and have time to eat it????:cool:

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Specializes in Cardiac, ER.

I don't understand this violation of privacy, while at work. We have cameras everywhere except pt rooms! We have caught several thieves this way over the years, pts, visitors et staff!

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Hate to rain on the fun but from a legal fraamework, putting exlax or anyother chemical additive on the food would be contrued as battery.....be careful

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Battery if I insist that the food was my own, intended for myself (with my own name written on it), with medication added to relieve my own constipation?

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.
Hate to rain on the fun but from a legal fraamework, putting exlax or anyother chemical additive on the food would be contrued as battery.....be careful

Wouldn't it be battery if they GAVE the tainted treats to someone? The "victims" are thieves, helping themselves to something that is clearly not theirs...

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There are many people sitting in jail who laid traps for thieves that resulted in injury to the thief.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.
Hate to rain on the fun but from a legal fraamework, putting exlax or anyother chemical additive on the food would be contrued as battery.....be careful

Don't be such a Debi Downer! :lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2:

Ok, if you do add ex lax to your food (strictly for your own purposes of course) tell no one! Once you have identified the perp you can go from there.

Seriously though, the thought of someone pawing through my lunch? Yuck!

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That is so excellent!!! I will definitely remember this if I ever need it :D

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