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It’s no secret that time theft is a serious issue in the workplace.
In fact, it can cost businesses a lot of money.
But what many people don’t know is that time theft comes in many different forms.
In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of time theft, how to prevent it and what to do if it happens.
keep tabs on employee productivity
What is time theft and how can it cost businesses money?
Time theft can be defined as the unauthorized use of company time for personal reasons.
This can include things like taking longer breaks than allowed, coming in late or leaving early, using personal devices during work hours, and so on.
While it may not seem like a big deal, time theft can actually cost businesses a lot of money.
In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor estimates that time theft costs businesses approximately $40 billion each year.
The different types of time theft
There are many different types of time theft, but some of the most common include:
Taking longer breaks than allowed
It can be difficult to monitor, but if employees are consistently taking longer breaks than they’re supposed to, it can add up to a lot of lost time (and money).
Coming in late or leaving early
If employees are consistently coming in late or leaving early, it can impact productivity and ultimately cost the company money.
Using personal devices during work hours
This includes things like checking personal email, browsing the internet, playing games, and so on.
While it may not seem like a big deal, using personal devices during work time can actually be very distracting and cost businesses time and money.
How to prevent It in the workplace
There are a few things you can do to help prevent it in the workplace, including:
Create a time theft policy
This should outline what time theft is and what the consequences are for employees who engage in it.
Train your employees
Make sure your employees are aware of your time theft policy and the consequences for breaking it.
Monitor time clock usage
If you have time clocks in your workplace, make sure to monitor them closely.
This will help you keep track of employee hours and make sure they’re not coming in late or leaving early.
Use a time recording app
There are many time recording apps available like TimeCamp that can help you track employee hours.
What to do if It occurs in the workplace
If it does occur in your workplace, there are a few things you can do, including:
Talk to the employee
If you catch an employee engaging in time theft, talk to them about it.
Let them know that it’s not acceptable and discuss the consequences.
Write up the employee
If time theft is a serious issue, you may need to write up the employee.
This should be done in accordance with your company’s policy.
Terminate the employee
In some cases, it may be serious enough to warrant termination.
This should only be done in accordance with your company’s policy and after you’ve talked to the employee about the issue.
What Next?
Preventing time theft in the workplace is important for businesses of all sizes.
By taking the time to create a relevant policy, train your employees, and monitor time clock usage, you can help prevent this costly issue.
If it is a problem in your workplace, consider using TimeCamp to help track employee hours and prevent it.
TimeCamp is a time recording app that can help you track employee time and keep tabs on their productivity.
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