Investigation Update

Investigation Update

After nearly three hours of interviewing, my LP Investigator finally emerged to report the results of his efforts. The Associate in question admitted to what is commonly referred to as "grazing:" the act of taking snack items from an employer without paying for them, or reducing the price of them to make them more affordable, for one's own consumption. Grazing is, of course, theft. The total theft admission of this Associate amounted to roughly $25.

To make matters worse, he implicated several of his coworkers in similar activity. It is well known that when confronted with the evidence, a thief is very likely to implicate others in the hopes of either throwing the scent of his own trail or making his acts seemingly less significant. Therefore, such implications must always be treated with a sense of caution. They must, however, at the same time be taken seriously and the necessary precautions put in place to make sure that such activity doesn't occur going forward.

The dishonest Associate in question has been placed on administrative suspension until the Human Resources department can respond on the matter.

In my mind -- and in the mind of my LP Investigator -- this dishonest Associate is already a former Associate, and the act of termination is only a formality.

Joe

posted with Google Docs & Spreadsheets

Dishonesty In The Workplace

Dishonesty In The Workplace

It's been a hectic week that has kept me from blogging and podcasting. At the beginning of the week I discovered evidence of Associate dishonesty. Without going into all of the details, I was performing some routine checks of the electronic journal for one Associate (no special reason for choosing him, really), and saw some interesting things. Things such as items being added to tickets, then deleted again; items being price adjusted well below the retail price and often below our cost; Associate discounts given to employees who were not even in the building at the time the transaction took place.

I contacted my Loss Prevention Department, sent him the details, and two days later he arrived at the store to conduct his investigation. Now, I spent a very brief period as a District Loss Prevention Supervisor for a major retailer. I worked on two cases before moving on to another company and getting back into Store Management. And I have to say, the investigation can be very exciting at times. And it can be very boring at other times. In this case, it was very boring.

This dishonest Associate either didn't do very much, or covered his tracks very well. We couldn't turn up more than a few petty (but clearly dishonest) acts he committed. I think the total dollar amount we came up with was just over $500, and at least $250 of that might have been legitimate activity and not dishonest at all.

The LP Investigator is interviewing the Associate right now. I'll be called in soon to witness the Associate's statement and make a decision on whether he will remain employed here or not. Of course, unless the LP Investigator really bungles the interview, that decision has already been made.

More to come... .

Joe

posted using Google Docs & Spreadsheets

Posting From Google Docs

Posting From Google Docs

This is a test post. If this post appears on Average Joe American, then my Google Docs blog settings are correct, and I will be able to post using Google Docs from any web-enabled PC.

Joe

Apple iPhone - More Than Just A Phone

With all of the hype surrounding Apple's upcoming venture into the cell phone market, there's no end to the speculation on just what this little marvel can do.



Joe

Average Joe Radio Episode 14: Artist Spotlight

The newest episode of Average Joe Radio is on the web and ready for download.

It's a great Artist Spotlight, with some great music from Black Lab, and more information on Bum Rush the Charts.

Call the feedback line: 206-600-4JOE.




Enjoy!

Joe

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Bum Rush the Charts - 3.22.07

Stressed From Work

I'm one that usually deals with stress pretty well. I always have. But sometimes, I guess, things just get to be a little too much for everyone.

I'm finding myself to be pretty stressed about work lately. Since the restructuring that placed my market under a different District Manager, it's been a kind of culture shock to which I haven't completely adjusted. My new District Manager is nothing at all like the former -- management style, personality, communication, even availability are like night and day different.

To make matters worse, we've been in a sort of sales slump since the fiscal year began in February. This new District Manager has seen sales numbers that don't look good, and nothing I try to do seems to have any impact.

Sales were down today, and I find myself dreading the thought of going to work tomorrow. In fact, I find myself not enjoying my work at all anymore. It shouldn't have to be that way.

With the (seemingly) very real prospect of the company being bought out, my current unhappiness with the work situation, and the ongoing lack of time to spend with family caused by the two-hour commute, I think it's time to aggressively pursue other options.

Joe