According to data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 75% of employees have admitted stealing from their employers at least once, and 38 percent admit to stealing from employers at least twice. The FBI refers to employee theft as the fastest growing crime in the U.S., costing businesses about seven percent of their expected margins.

When staff know that you have controls in place, the temptation to steal is significantly reduced.  Everything from our “If You Don’t Get an Accurate Receipt” decal, to DRR & Cash Drop scrutiny, adds to this sense of having controls in place.  Make sure you are in the habit of circling back with staff on inaccuracies and deficiencies in these areas to assure they are aware that someone is watching.

And one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal is the Quality Control Calls.  Linked here is WFR Central’s SOP for Quality Control Calls.  You’ll note extra scrutiny for “Hotlist” locations – locations may get on the Hotlist because cash vs. credit card ratios appear irregular, there are an inordinate number of refunds, cash over/short days, cash drop envelope discrepancies, etc, or because a manager has a sense that a little extra scrutiny may be in order.  At times we may Hotlist a single employee, as opposed to a full location. As in any area of Risk Management, being proactive instead of complacent will pay dividends.

To make your calls easy, download this PDF. Print and cut each section to create 18 different questionnaires. Then fill out the questions as you make your calls and staple to the corresponding rental receipt for your records. Simple! And if you have a trusted supervisor who works a slower shift, have them make some of these calls.