My tech is Stealing from me!!!

[RevivedCS]

My tech stole a client from me red-handed! The customer called and said my tech worked on his computer and he's having problems with it now. After advising him on what to do and to bring it in, I asked, "did you get a work order filled out." His answer was no. I asked how much RAM did he install and what was the fee? He said he installed a 512Mb DDR stick and he was charged $50 for it. The $50 never showed up in the register.

What would you do? This just happened this morning so any advice ASAP would be appreciated!

 

[DanF]

I feel sorry for you mate. Hope you will get this sorted out asap. I work on my own, so I can't give you any professional advice on this one.

 

[NeutronTech]

I work for myself, but I really believe that if an employee steals from your company they should be terminated. If he is a really good tech, maybe a final notice and be very critical of his paperwork and time in the future. Sort of a probation period. If he stole the RAM stick, then let him go. If he stole the client and is normally a really good employee, maybe probation and final notice. Hope that helps.

 

[Charlotte PC]

I think I would be looking for a new tech. I would also have that new tech sign a non-compete agreement.

 

[arrow_runner]

My tech stole a client from me red-handed! The customer called ans said my tech worked on his computer and he's having problems with it now. After advising him on what to do and to bring it in, I asked, "did you get a work order filled out." His answer was no. I asked how much RAM did he install and what was the fee? He said he installed a 512Mb DDR stick and he charged $50 for it.

What would you do? This just happened this morning so any advice ASAP would be appreciated!

I read this 3 times and I'm still not clear where something was stolen? The tech pulled the ram off the shelf and just pocketed the money right there in the store without putting it in the cash register/making a receipt for it?

 

[Hercomputers]

My tech stole a client from me red-handed! The customer called ans said my tech worked on his computer and he's having problems with it now. After advising him on what to do and to bring it in, I asked, "did you get a work order filled out." His answer was no. I asked how much RAM did he install and what was the fee? He said he installed a 512Mb DDR stick and he charged $50 for it.

What would you do? This just happened this morning so any advice ASAP would be appreciated!

If I were you, I'd approach the tech and and simply ask him about it. See if he's honest about it and if he'll tell you the truth. You can tell by his response, body language, etc. If he's honest, give him a stern warning that if it happens again, he will be fired. If he's not honest about what he did, then it's obvious that you need to let him go. Just to bring it to his attention should be enough to wake him up to the fact that you now know what he did.
Get his side of the story first and then take it from there.

 

[ATTech]

I read this 3 times and I'm still not clear where something was stolen? The tech pulled the ram off the shelf and just pocketed the money right there in the store without putting it in the cash register/making a receipt for it?

"stole a client from me"

He stole his client, ie he is doing side work for one of his clients.

 

[Daifne]

Did you have him sign an employment agreement that addressed this type of situation? What type of employment agreement do you have?

 

[MrUnknown]

The post can be taken as either stealing a client or stealing RAM and selling it and pocketing the money.

In either case, immediate termination of his employment. I don't care if he is honest that he stole something from me, he still stole it.

 

[RevivedCS]

Did you have him sign an employment agreement that addressed this type of situation? What type of employment agreement do you have?

I did. And he signed a non-compete form as well.

 

[RevivedCS]

The post can be taken as either stealing a client or stealing RAM and selling it and pocketing the money.

In either case, immediate termination of his employment. I don't care if he is honest that he stole something from me, he still stole it.

What would you state the reason of termination to be?

 

[Morrison5891]

I did. And he signed a non-compete form as well.

Fire him. and, if he stole the RAM from your shop, press charges against him. Theft is to be delt with ASAP!

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

Just make damn sure you got the facts before taking any action. Customers can tell stories sometimes due to forgetfulness or maybe they just didn't like the tech. Otherwise if all the facts are there then see ya! Only bummer part is you probably will be setting yet another pizza tech loose on society.

 

[Daifne]

I would also talk to your lawyer about the best way to handle/word it. If you do it wrong, he could get unemployment that he isn't really entitled to or, worse, sue you.

 

[Morrison5891]

I would also talk to your lawyer about the best way to handle/word it. If you do it wrong, he could get unemployment that he isn't really entitled to or, worse, sue you.

No need for a laywer... if the termination paper work is done correctly... he can try to collect all he wants. Just fight it... if you have well documented paper work, he wont get a dime.

 

[hardtoremember]

If I KNEW that he stole from me without a doubt I would fire him immediately, no questions asked. I don't know what you need to fire someone where you are but here I don't need a reason. Maybe you don't need him anymore and he is not eligible for rehire. If you fire him for stealing you better have something to back you up.

There is no second chance for stealing.It doesn't matter how good he is. None. If he did and you confront him he will just get better at it. If you don't he will just keep stealing.

Fire him now.

 

[RevivedCS]

Alright. From what I'm gathering from everyone is to let him go. Now, we(him and I) just finished discussing the matter. I didn't incriminate him or anything but simply asked his side of the story.

First, I failed to mention that he's a great tech and we work quite well one with another. He can handle most of what I give him. Now, after talking with him(after he finally remembered), he says he wanted the client taken care of. The store didn't have the RAM in stock so he went outside to check his car to see if he had any himself. He did and installed it for the client. No work order filled out...no documentation...$50 cash in the tech's pocket. The client calls me this morning with a message of I'm having start-up problems and he doesn't know if it's the RAM.

My Problem is...the client isn't going to mess with the tech...he's coming after the company. Now, the client is under control and will be in shortly so that I can resolve his issue but...you know.

SIDE NOTE:
The tech has given me various parts to complete several client's repairs(of which I asked how much do I owe him) but didn't charge me for them. He was looking at it(he said) like, "this was my RAM." I advised him of the potential dangers that could be ahead(you know how clients can go crazy with lies) and he understood. I sent him home for the day. I'm thinking about this seriously because he has caused more increase than decrease.

Off of this post, any more suggestions are still appreciated and thanks to the previous ones.

 

[eric76]

Here's what I think: It was a mistake to install the RAM on his part, but you'd be crazy to let this guy go over something like this. Just take care of the customers computer and both you and your employee will learn a lesson.

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

The tech has given me various parts to complete several client's repairs(of which I asked how much do I owe him) but didn't charge me for them. He was looking at it(he said) like, "this was my RAM." I advised him of the potential dangers that could be ahead(you know how clients can go crazy with lies) and he understood.

I'm not sure about this part swapping thing you guys have going on. Not a great way to run a business unless by the far chance he happens to be a parts wholesaler on the side. Not to mention the unknown amount of unpaid parts he's let you have. This whole saga now has so many unknowns and obviously you guys have personal connections, that I'm not sure why you even brought this up on this board? Obviously this isn't a cut and dry did he steal or not steal case.

 

[bsd13]

Here's what I think: It was a mistake to install the RAM on his part, but you'd be crazy to let this guy go over something like this. Just take care of the customers computer and both you and your employee will learn a lesson.

I agree with Eric. From what you've said I see absolutely no grounds to terminate the guy. He tried to go above and beyond by using his own RAM to help out your client. In the past he hasn't asked for compensation for the parts he has given you but in this one instance he decides to get paid.

The only issue I see is that the customer is having problems, apparently with the stick of RAM, and you're worried about them coming after you. If the customer had called in and said what a great job this tech had done putting in the RAM and you had found no work order and your tech told you that he used his own RAM would you be making an issue out of it? I kind of doubt it. You'd probably say something like "Well you know he's given me a lot more than $50 worth of equipment in the past and never asked for compensation so this really isn't a big deal"

As an aside there's no excuse not to compensate your employees for spending their own money on stuff for you. My boss does it all the time when I give him hardware. He goes online and finds out what it sells for and it shows up in my next pay check regardless if I ask him for it or not. The only things that don't are the ones I don't tell him about.