Can you get prosecuted by the police for getting fired for minor theft? ?

Question

So I was working at Tim Hortons today, and near the end of my shift, I heard my manager yelling to my co-worker for unknown reasons. He got fired. I asked why, and he said he got caught 'stealing' croissants and IceCapps. All he did is took 4 IceCapps when his shift was over, because a lot of people were doing the same. It wasn't considered stealing here, where we work. There's some respected workers here who do the same, and he simply got influenced by them, which was a mistake. Of course, he didn't tell on them because he is not a heartless b*****d like that manager. Now, I would like to know if he his doomed for the rest of is life, is his career ruined, can he get another job, and can he be charged by the police? If he goes looking for a new job and he doesn't mention any of this on his resume or interview, will it appear in his background check? Also, anyone mind giving him any tips? Very sad day indeed for him...also on a unrelated side note, his grandmother passed away today; which makes it that much worse.

Answer 1

Well the police can only prosecute him if your manager filed charges for theft.  I highly doubt the police or the manager would really think this prudent.  It was what at the most $5.00?  

Answer 2

His employer has to pay him for all the hours he worked before being fired.

He doesn't have to mention the theft to anybody except to his priest in the Confessional.  He won't be prosecuted, or else the employer would have called the police at the time.

His life isn't ruined, though I'm sure it's a big blow to him right now.  

Probably he should not use this job as a reference for a future job.  Tell him just not to mention it at future interviews.  It's highly unlikely that the the former employer would mention the theft or even that he was fired; but they might say "we wouldn't hire him again."  The reason they won't mention the theft is that they could get in trouble, even sued, for saying that.  Even so, I would be inclined just not to mention the job.  But he can use his own judgment.

The most important thing is for the young man to see this as a life lesson, not as a crushing defeat.  He will be more careful in the future.  The misdeed he committed is a common one, I've done it myself, and I understand they didn't really think of it as stealing.  But it is also a common reason for getting fired.  That's a fact.  

He's not a bad guy on account of this.  He can get another job and prove himself trustworthy.

Answer 3

He could technically be charged with petty theft, but  I doubt that will happen.  If he applies for another job, and they ask why he left, he should tell them that he ate some croissants.  Sounds like this could be a real laugher if he handels it right..  Come on.  Get over it.  A donut, or croissant???  Big deal.

Answer 4

If he didn't get handcuffed and hauled to jail then he doesn't have a record, but he shouldn't use them as a reference for a new job.  Maybe  the manager was trying to set an example by firing him.  The best tip I can offer is next time ask before he takes.  

Answer 5

"All he did is took 4 IceCapps when his shift was over, because a lot of people were doing the same. It wasn't considered stealing here, where we work. There's some respected workers here who do the same, and he simply got influenced by them, which was a mistake"

Stealing is stealing, no matter how little it was or how gullible the co worker was.

My tips to him is to not steal anymore, and look for another job.

The person who gets stuck paying for all that little stuff that adds up to quite a bit is none other than the manager...something for you to think about...now, wouldn't you say the manager had good reason to fire him?  He'll probably fire all the others that get caught as well.

Answer 6

For stealing croissants? It's doubtful, but if the restaraunt wanted to bring charges, I guess they could. It'd probably be thrown out of court.

Answer 7

tell him to relax, he did not steal . a couple of croissants and a few IceCapps is what, a few measly bucks. how many people does this place ripoff every year, probably a lot more than a few croissants and icecaps.