When you own a business, few things are more frustrating and discouraging than finding out about employee theft. A few dishonest workers can pocket your hard-earned profits and soil your reputation, making it difficult to stay in business. However, you might be able to prevent employee theft by doing these three things:

1: Audit Your Quarterly Inventory Count

The only way to tell how you really did at the end of the quarter is to count all of the merchandise that you have left. Unfortunately, this quarterly inventory count is also a vulnerable time. If employees have been secretly stealing items from your store, they might simply lie about their counts, or hide invoices that would uncover the truth.

To keep your employees honest, always audit your quarterly inventory counts. Compare employee notes to the actual count on the shelves, and always go through invoices to check for shipped quantities. If you find discrepancies, talk with the employee who counted the merchandise to ask for an explanation. If they act strangely or can't offer a valid reason for the miscount, it might be a sign they are pilfering merchandise.   

2: Create An Anonymous Way To Report Theft

If your employees are stealing, chances are high that one of their co-workers knows about it. Unfortunately, those suspicious co-workers might be nervous to tattle on their work buddies—especially if they are nervous about retaliation.

To make the reporting process a lot easier, consider creating an anonymous way for employees to report theft. Create a generic email address, an easy-to-use hotline, or even a locked box where employees can put notes to report problems.

3: Beef Up Your Security System

Those old cameras might still work, but are they really helping you to uncover employee theft? Believe it or not, some newer systems boast fascinating and effective upgrades, including facial recognition software and motion detectors to record only when someone is in the room.

Some security systems even work in conjunction with electronic deadbolts and building automation software. This feature might give you the chance to download reports of who has been accessing your building so that you can find out who has been stealing from your business.

If bolstering your security system sounds like a good idea, take the time to consult with a security company in your area. You might be surprised with how accurate and intuitive new systems are.

By doing your best to prevent employee theft, you might be able to enjoy a healthier bottom line.

To find out more about professional security systems, contact a company such as Security Services Northwest, Inc.