Work issue - stealing/eating disorder problem

homerun_homer

I work in an office with a canteen, not a hugely busy one since there would only be about 60 odd people in total in the office. Someone pointed out to me how another worker who sits across from me has been stealing sausages every morning from the canteen and not paying.


Big deal you might think but she went from a normal sized woman to very thin a few months ago, unhealthily thin and there was whispers that she must have an eating disorder because she was so gaunt.

So I started to notice this week how she craftily hides the sausages in a napkin and also eat one on the way to the till and not pay for any of them. This morning for example I saw her steal 3 sausages and a white pudding. She earns a lot more then me, and I'm very happy with my wage so a few cents is clearly not the issue.

She rubs a lot of people up the wrong way in work as it is (sales), she talks a load of sh1te and gets by by sucking up to the managers, pretending to be a know it all when she doesn't know or do a tap, so she is nobodies favourite person.

A few of use want to highlight the issue because canteen staff are loosing out a few quid each week with it and it's unprofessional, especially for the 35k+ wage she'd be on. I know she most likely (not proven) has an eating disorder (either that or she's a kleptomaniac) so we're not sure what to do since it would be a delicate issue:- tell canteen staff or our manager.
Can anyone advise what they'd think from an outside perspective or similar experience?

Babooshka

homerun_homer wrote: »

Can anyone advise what they'd think from an outside perspective or similar experience?

Well first I would make sure I had one hundred percent fact before reporting a colleague for anything, this is a matter for your HR or Senior Management department and not an individual colleague to tackle, or the canteen workers. Those are serious allegations towards someone and mud sticks. Also as an aside and I don't mean to be smart but it's not your personal issue so unless it's jeopardising your job or you're being accused of stealing anything I wuold run the other way and not look in that direction, not your issue, simple as. Also why do you know or care how much she earns? If she has an eating disorder and indeed this is all going on as fact this person needs professional help - not to be crucified. Good luck.:)

homerun_homer

I only mention money because I'm emphasising the fact that this isn't a crappy minimum wage job.

As for this not being a personal issue for me - I know it isn't but isn't the point of this forum for when you have a dilemma you come and ask for advice.

Anyways - I've learned someone else has just reported it on so I'm washing my hands of it. Will see what happens from here.

PS. I like the advice about running the other way when I'm highlighting another person's possible plight with an eating disorder. I haven't detailed the half of it in my original post but this person shows all the signs of someone with one, and it's been going on a while now.

Babooshka

You asked for advice of what to do in a work situation, not with a close relative or loved one. My advice would have been different if that was your personal issue however it didn't sound like that from your original post that you were genuinely worried for the girl, You just sound like you are p*d off that this person is earning so much money yet getting free suasages.

If it had been your sister, your girlfriend, or your Mam, of course my advice would have been different and I was only trying to help in the context of the given situation and looking at it from your perspective (i.e. as it sounded from your post...that you are an outsider looking in on someone elses personal issue and not your own)

Keano

OP, be honest here - you aren't really concerned about her health.

Yes he is. I work in the same building and there are a number of us concerned about her.

You are annoyed she is getting away with robbing a few sausages when she earns more and is not nice to you and your colleagues.

Yes it pisses us off a bit but she has a problem and would you rather just sit there and do nothing and then if it becomes an issue say I knew but didn't want to interfere!

Sorry, but we are talking a few 20cent sausages here, not a bank heist.

Agree. But over the course of the year its over a €100. Would you report someone for stealing a €100???

homerun_homer

Right guys this is beginning to sound more like AH than PI. I've no gripe with her wages, I'm 100% happy with mine (Crucify me for noting a ballpark figure). I've no mortgage, kids or depts and have turned down many jobs in here that pay more so moentary jealousy is not an issue here.

With that out of the way, I ask this in PI on behalf of a few of us in work who were unsure what to do because eating disorder/alcohol dependancy or anything else that is not noted about a colleague should be of a concern in our eyes. We don't have a HR dept in our location so we can't go to them for advice.

Mods, shut this thread down as it is redundant now both for getting feedback and since the wheels are in motion for the issue to be dealt with.

homerun_homer

sunflower27 wrote: »

If you are so concerned about her - then talk to her. Dont be going behind her back to her boss! Do you think she'll thank you for that. :rolleyes:

Sounds to me like the OP does not like this woman and is using the stealing of a few sausages to get a dig in.

'It's not about money'; 'I'm happy with my wage'; 'she sucks up to management; 'pretends to know stuff she doesn't'; talks **** and rubs people the wrong way.

if there is no ulterior motive here then my name is Arthur :rolleyes:

There is no ulterior motive, I just don't think it is my part to intervene, that should be a manager's responsibility - the welfare of their employees.

Any jibes or digs you pick up are only mentioned because this highlights why no one else would care or say anything to her.

Keano

sunflower27 wrote: »

If you are so concerned about her - then talk to her. Dont be going behind her back to her boss! Do you think she'll thank you for that. :rolleyes:

Sounds to me like the OP does not like this woman and is using the stealing of a few sausages to get a dig in.

'It's not about money'; 'I'm happy with my wage'; 'she sucks up to management; 'pretends to know stuff she doesn't'; talks **** and rubs people the wrong way.

if there is no ulterior motive here then my name is Arthur :rolleyes:

I can assure you there isn't. So keep the :rolleyes: in the holsters.

Ok, I will just walk over now and say I know you steal from the canteen and I am going to report you? Theft is theft no matter how small the item.

So would you report theft?

homerun_homer

Moderators please close this thread.

Keano

sunflower27 wrote: »

You sound like you have her health as a priority :rolleyes:

Hiow lovely you are :rolleyes:

Sigh......

Read back over your posts. You brought it over to the money thing, so I am just responding to that topic.

Zaph

OK, this has got silly now.

Thread closed.