Theft at work?

Question

I work overnights in a 24/7 supervised housing for the Deaf and mentally ill. I usually cook at work since there is a kitchen so I tend to leave my food at work. Up until recently, I noticed that my food was missing. I spotted the wrapper of the stolen food in the staff bathroom which leads me to believe that it was not the clients who took it but the staff. I let it go this time until I came into work last night and found another piece missing but no wrapper in the staff bathroom trash this time. The clients know better and frankly, we have had problems with theft for a while now. They have been stealing toilet paper, paper towels from the staff bathroom and just last week, a big 24 inch fan was stolen last week. Ridiculous since starting pay is 13 dollars an hour! My boss said she couldn't do anything because there is no proof. So what can I do to somehow prevent theft of my food other than locking it up? Sorry this is so long and any ideas would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Answer 1

Bring your food as usual only booby trap it. In a sandwich or drink or whatever you bring, crush some laxatives and put them in the food/drink. Whoever eats your food will have violent diarrhea and then you will know who it is.

Answer 2

Tell your boss get a brand new hidden camera.

Answer 3

Well, although she has said there is no proof who has been stealing, would she be willing to hold a staff meeting to discuss the issue? If not, could you ask the staff to meet with you? Then you could see if anybody else has had the same problem with personal belongings going missing, and also if the thief/thieves are in the room, they will know that their behaviour has not gone undetected. Hopefully, staff will be more vigilent and thieves more anxious or ashamed about their behaviour.

I suppose, for now,  you could keep all non-chilled food in your locker? Or inside your bag. As for foods that need to go in the refrigerator, you could try keeping them inside a lunch box or plastic bag, something that is not as easy to remove from the fridge. (For example, the thief will have to open the lunch box or look in the bag rather than quickly pull out the first thing they see...) Also, keep looking in the kitchen if you can, and ask staff/friends you can trust to keep a look out too.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

I heard of someone putting a whole bunch of exlax or tobassco sauce in their food so that wouldn't happen after they tried it again

Answer 5

I would leave a note on your food stating..

"Please don't eat my food, if you are hungry I will share with you or make extra so that you may have some but please.... don't eat my food

thank you"

Hope this helps

Best of luck

Answer 6

Every business has trouble with employee theft . . .but a 24 inch fan ? ? ? I'd say last person out took it . . .Security cams are not that expensive . . .you need one at every entrance/exit just for security purposes. . .where I worked - community fridge had lunches in brown bags with our names on and a note on the door. . ONLY TAKE WHAT'S YOURS , , BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING . . i brought mine . . .you bring yours . . .maybe these will help