On Sun, 4 Aug 2013 04:16:12 -0400, "Robert Green"
wrote:

"Vic Smith" wrote in message

stuff snipped

OTOH, I'm not saying I'm perfect either. Did some of my own thieving
when I was a machine mechanic. Took about 10 each of maybe 3 small
sizes of nuts/bolts. 1/4, 5/16, 3/8. A few different lengths, along
with flat and lock washers for them.

I *knew* we would get a confession out of you eventually. (-:

Signed,
Inspector Javert

But seriously. When certain Federal agencies (which PRISM requires me not
to mention) instituted polygraphs for new hires, they scrupulously
eliminated anyone who admitted to trying *any* kind of illegal drug or who
had admitted to stealing anything from the workplace. When the recruit pool
dwindled down to far too few candidates to choose from, they then instituted
a policy of evaluating the nature of the trangressions.

I think the questions are now phrased "did you ever take anything worth more
than $20 from an employer?" and whether illicit drug use occurred within the
last 3 years. That should give you some idea of the prevalance of employee
theft.

Speaking of polygraphs, there's a huge debate occurring at sensitive
agencies asking how Snowden clearly slipped through the vetting process with
a major loose screw going undetected. I believe, like GZ, Snowden was a
washout, only he washed out of Special Forces. Rejection has driven more
than a few people right off rails.

People steal more today because they feel more entitled for a number of
reasons. The changing dynamic from "employer for life" to "contract
employer" had had an effect. When a company reneges on its committments to
employees, theft skyrockets because it becomes morally justified by
employees. "The company screwed me so I will screw them."

People have always stolen if they thought they could get away with it.
A friend of my Dad's ran a stable, not exactly a big dollar operation.
He had a couple employees. He rigged the phones so he could eavesdrop
on the employees and found them bragging about how they stole money
from the place when he wasn't around. Then they'd wonder why he fired
them. Another friend of Dad's died and the guys wife had to go to
work in a restaurant to keep some money coming in. She regularly
stole lots of money straight from the cash register. Another friend
of his was President of one of those Animal Fraternal Organizations
and that guy and another guy did the bartending at the "club" and they
would pocket hundreds of dollars at the end of each evening. My Dad
would never steal a dime.

When I cooked chicken for the Cornell we found one of the area
supervisors was sending the regular managers home and closing up their
stores for the night and in the process he'd throw out a few hundred
dollars worth of receipts and pocket the money. He got fired. That
was one of those things where I thought it was so stupid to lose a
good job like that for a few hundred extra dollars a month.

I'd admit to stealing office supplies and a few nuts and bolts (but
I also donated many many unpaid hours) as well as paid for awards and
cakes and stuff for my people that the company would not pay for. Even
so, it still makes me feel a little bad for taking anything...