I’ve witnessed a co-worker taking home office supplies on a regular basis. A pen or pencil is bad enough but now it’s reams of copy paper and a spare keyboard. I’ve joked with him that I’d “rat him out”. He just laughs and says they don’t pay us enough, and I should do it, too. I’m tired of watching company money (which could be used to give me a raise) walk out the door. If I tell anyone, he’ll know I was the one to report him and that would make things awkward. Suggestions?
A.Just one. Stop joking with him and let him know you’re serious. Tell him that you agree with him that you aren’t being paid enough, and you resent his taking money out of your paycheck by walking off with equipment and supplies that will need to be replaced. He’s not just stealing from the company, he’s stealing from you, too. Make sure he knows that you will not sit idly by and watch him continue this illegal behavior. And if he doesn’t stop, report him to your supervisor. Believe me, if things become awkward, it will be for him, not you.
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