Shoplifters get the headlines, but for many retailers the biggest losses come from inside the business. Employee theft can be small and steady, like a few notes from the till each week, or large, like stock walking out the back door. The good news is that most internal theft can be prevented with clear procedures and the right oversight.
Common types of employee theft
- Cash theft: taking money from the till, fake refunds, voids and "no sale" openings.
- Sweethearting: giving friends and family free items or unauthorised discounts.
- Stock theft: hiding products in bags, rubbish or deliveries.
- Time theft: long breaks, leaving early or being paid for hours not worked.
- Data and gift card fraud.
Warning signs to watch for
- Cash drawers that are often short, or a high number of voids and refunds from one person
- Staff who never take holidays or insist on closing alone
- Stock losses in specific departments or shifts
- Friends of staff who visit often and are served by the same person
- Rubbish taken out at unusual times
Cash handling controls that work
- Give each cashier their own login and, where possible, their own drawer.
- Count tills at the start and end of every shift, with two people for closing counts.
- Require manager approval for refunds, voids and large discounts.
- Review exception reports from your POS every week.
- Move cash to the safe regularly during the day.
Build a culture of honesty
- Run background checks and take references when hiring.
- Write clear policies on discounts, staff purchases and breaks, and share them.
- Rotate duties so the same person does not always open, close and count cash.
- Recognise and reward good work. Staff who feel valued are less likely to steal.
How live camera monitoring helps
Most stores already have cameras, but nobody watches them until money goes missing. With staff and sales floor monitoring, trained agents watch the tills and sales floor during the hours you choose:
- Open cash drawers, unusual refunds and no-sale openings are flagged
- Unattended counters and long queues are spotted
- Serious issues are sent to you straight away with live video alerts
- You get a short daily activity report instead of hours of footage
Pair this with store opening and closing checks so the riskiest moments of the day are always watched.
Respect staff privacy
Workplace monitoring should follow local law. Tell staff that cameras are monitored, use clear signs, and only monitor work areas, never restrooms or changing rooms.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if an employee is stealing from the till?
Look for repeated cash shortages, a high number of voids or refunds from one person, and no-sale drawer openings. Matching these POS reports with camera footage usually shows what is happening.
Can someone watch my cameras during opening hours?
Yes. Live sales floor monitoring covers the hours you choose and alerts you to issues in real time.
Is it legal to monitor employees on camera?
In most places it is allowed in work areas when staff are informed. Check the rules in your area and use clear signage.
Protect your store from the inside
Want trained eyes on your tills and sales floor? Get a free staff monitoring quote from TSX Monitoring.
