Would you report on your colleague using company's money?
By rj4pau
@rj4pau (215)
Malaysia
December 22, 2009 10:11am CST
I had this problem of knowing about my fellow colleague who had been using the petty cash money as his own money. He would use it whenever he like but make sure that when the management is on audit exercise, he would pays back what is due. But that was only the petty cash money which is not that much but recently I had discovered that he actually used the cash money meant for company's utilities bills and end up having the company's bills overdue. I had spoken to him on stopping this bad behaviour which can put him in trouble if it is discovered by the management but he just ignored my advices stating that he only used them temporarily and wound cover it up when needed. Can anyone advise me what step should I take now?
1 person likes this
7 responses
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
23 Dec 09
I would tell someone above you that you trust, that unsure of this persons actions and suspect theft or a "robbing Peter to pay paul" . And as another poster said knowing what is happening & not reporting it could make you liable. But watch your wording when you do report this co-worker make sure you know what you are going to say... especially if you are the only other person who knows what's going on beside the person "borrowing". Also consider who has access to before you seek a supervisor as well, to make sure that is the only person who is in the "cookie jar".
I would wonder why they don't do surprise audits? I know when I worked in a bank they would do surprise audits on our drawers from time to time to make sure what we entered was correct. Perhaps that is something you could suggest?
1 person likes this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
25 Dec 09
A random audit will help eliminate people like your co-worker from "borrowing" because it will be found out.
Wich also reminds me of a recent local headline here when a corporation exec has been terminated for embezzlement. Probably nothing like your co-worker as she's in it for MILLIONS! 
@MJay101 (710)
•
22 Dec 09
Report it to management. It's clearly not on.
What would he say if the company "borrowed" money from his wages? Or if the company "borrowed" funds from his pension plan?
I think it's really important to build trust between the company and it's employees; these kinds of actions do not help.
Tell someone.
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@angelsmummy (1696)
•
22 Dec 09
I would tell someone, when he gets caught if he says that you knew to save his own skin you will also lose your job. Its unfait if he cannot afford thongs then tell him to get another part-time job. Its not fair to steal from anyone let alone a company especially not in this day and age. The company should also do random audits too though to ensure things like this arent happeneing!
@rj4pau (215)
• Malaysia
22 Dec 09
You were right that if he ever got caught doing it, I would also be in trouble of losing my job or at least a stern warning. But since he haven't stop doing it, it make me confused to either report it or not as he would definitely lose his job if I did. This is between choosing friendship or social responsibility.
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@angelsmummy (1696)
•
22 Dec 09
This is one of those situations where you need to think of yourslef and your job. Ask the manager to say that they had caught him in cctv or something!
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@atv818 (1980)
• United Arab Emirates
22 May 10
You should report them. If you don't want to be known then do it anonymously. Everybody will be in deep trouble if that person is caught and you have knowledge of this. Don't compromise your integrity. I know it is not your own doing but knowing about this and not reporting it means that you are agreeing to his faulty ways. Do the right thing for more peace of mind and conscience.
@Idealisticgirl (392)
• Philippines
29 Apr 10
He never cared with your advice so let him suffer for his own doings.. You've done your part!
@liftyouup (86)
• Philippines
26 May 10
the internal control of your company is weak..
accounting system is bad or maybe you don't have..
don't report your colleague for doing that stuff..your friendship might be at stake..instead report to your organization that you need to have a certain development to your internal control..state to him what you notice is the weak point..But remember that don't make your colleague lose his face..instead..stated it in a manner that you have a genuine concern to the company..
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
31 Dec 09
rj4pau you know what you have to do, you are aiding and abetting him in embezzling if you do not report him to your supervisor or boss at once. do not put this off. You cannot protect this person any longer and if you do and he is caught you may end up in the soup too. so save your own job and report the crook now.
