Accused of Theft at Work? 5 Steps to Protect Yourself

Have you been accused of theft at work? When things at the workplace go missing — whether it's cash, inventory, supplies, or even bookkeeping transactions — employees may find themselves on the receiving end of investigations or outright accusations. What should you do, and not do, if this happens to you? Here are five key things to keep in mind. 

1. Remain Calm

When you are innocent of an accusation, you're likely to feel emotionally charged and possibly traumatized by it. But the best thing you can do for yourself is to avoid rash, overreacting, or unnecessarily angry responses.

Remain calm and listen to what your accuser is saying. Think before you speak. Remember that your goal is not to react quickly but to react in ways that will help yourself as much as possible. 

2. Consider Talking It Out

Should you meet with your employer to explain the situation? There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Any time you speak about the alleged incident, you open yourself up to having your words misconstrued, misquoted, or taken out of context. Therefore, you may not find that explaining yourself to the employer helps. It could even make things worse — especially if your employer is not open to your side of the story. 

However, if the individuals are fair-minded and you can explain things in a logical manner, discussing the situation may help clear up the matter early and quickly. Only you and your attorney know which situation you are dealing with. It is always better to speak to your attorney FIRST before saying anything to anyone else. 

3. Gather Information

Gather relevant information from both sides of the case. Find out exactly what you've been accused of, what their evidence is, and what the circumstances around the incident were. Only when you have a full grasp of why your employer believes you to be guilty can you respond to them properly. 

At the same time, gather your own evidence showing why you did not commit this act. Look for ways to prove your side of the story, such as by writing down which employees were there or where they were located at the time. If there were cameras, ask to see footage. And if possible, make photocopies of any documents your accuser is using against you. 

4. Learn Your Rights

Your employer is working for their own interests, not your interests — especially if they believe you've wronged them. Therefore, you must look after your own interests yourself by consulting with an attorney who will protect your interests. 

You can also do this by learning about your rights as an individual and as an employee. You generally have the right to view your human resources file, for instance, and to decline taking a lie detector test. You also have inherent rights to privacy and confidentiality in the workplace. But you can only assert those rights which you know about and know how to use. 

5. Speak With an Attorney

Theft and embezzlement are serious charges, regardless of the circumstances. If fired as a result, you'll have a negative mark on your career and your resume for many years. It may limit your earning potential. If things go so far as to include criminal charges? You could very well end up with fines, jail time, and a conviction on your record. 

Meet with an attorney as soon as possible to prevent legal and career trouble. The attorney will help you decide if you should speak with your employer, work to build a strong case, and assist with negotiations if necessary. 

Where to Start

No matter what stage you're in after being accused of misappropriation at work, start finding the solutions you need by contacting Kalasnik Law Office LLC. For more than 26 years, we've assisted Pennsylvania employees with workplace issues, including criminal cases. Call today to learn how we can help you successfully navigate this difficult time.