After hour thief at work, company will not discipline. What to do?

Question

I work in a shop that has a company come in to clean every night after hours. I've had tools disappear and a change jar has been getting lighter that I keep in my tool box. I know its the cleaners, because I purposely left $1.50 in change laying out on my tool box and all the silver change was gone the next morning. I was last to leave and first to arrive the next day. Company says they need proof before doing anything. Isn't that proof enough? Do I have a right to confront the after hour clean up crew and threaten them about not having a job? The cleaning crew looks like its consists of people that the cleaning crew owner picks up from the homeless shelter on his way in.

Answer 1

Set up a hidden camera, we had a similar problem with someone stealing copper from our shop. We set up a hidden camera, caught the guy in the act, fired him the next day after the cops arrived.

Answer 2

That really .....

Do NOT confront or threaten these people. That could get YOU in trouble.

I would take anything personal and valuable home with me, every evening.

Your only other choices are to report it to the boss, or report it to the police.

The boss already figures that the money he saves on cleaners is worth the occasional loss due to theft.

How much are you out? I can't see the police getting enthusiastic over about a dollar of loose change. And they will question your boss. How will he react to that? I don't know.

It's not pleasant working anywhere where there is a thief, I know. But the first rule is protect yourself. Second, protect your job, unless you are ready to move on anyway.

Answer 3

Put up your valuables. You said it yourself they are obviously poor working class people. I had a job at a cab company and the mechanics would take from the cab drivers. When they would come to me I always would wonder how they could leave 20 bucks or more in their car. One guy left a new blackberry. Growing up in my neighborhood I guess we had street smarts and new that people especially poor sometimes steal. Stealing is as old as time.

Answer 4

Some things are out of your control. Lock up your stuff.