Theft at the workplace is a serious offence. If an employer finds out that a theft has taken place, he or she will have no choice but to terminate the services of the offending employee, and possibly call in the authorities. Even if the employee in question has worked for the organization for a long time, stealing from the company is never tolerated.
In such a situation, it is best to give an official notice of termination to the person involved. A termination letter needs to be written in accordance with the company’s human resource protocols. If your company says that it is alright to use an accusatory tone, do so. If not, make the termination letter a mild one. If there are no rules dictating how a termination letter needs to be written, use your own judgment.
A termination letter, especially if it is written because the employee in question has stolen something from the company, needs to be direct – mincing your words will do you no good as the employee may feel that he still has a chance. If your company has a no-tolerance policy towards theft (which most organizations do), your termination letter should also be of the no-nonsense quality. Need a little heads up on how to write one? Refer to the sample termination letter below:
Termination Letter Due to Theft
James Worthington
Human Resources Manager
Sunoco
1380 Allison Road
Springfield, TN 37662
Tel: (111) 111-1111
November 30, 2016
Mr. Frank Wright
Finance Officer
Sunoco
1380 Allison Road
Springfield, TN 37662
Dear Mr. Wright:
This letter is being written to inform you that your services as a finance officer at Sunoco are being terminated with immediate effect.
After a detailed investigation into the prevailing matter of lost petty cash amounts, we put up surveillance monitors in all workstations. The one in your station clearly shows you taking money from the petty cash drawer after office hours, and on the pretext of working late. This deed on your part has shattered our confidence in your integrity and we no longer need your services. We would like to inform you that a subsequent police investigation will take place presently, to determine the extremity of this offense. We suggest that you employ a lawyer for your defense.
Mr. Henrick Vanger from the human resource department will oversee your clearing out of all personal effects from your workstation, and will escort you to the office exit. Please relinquish any company property that you may have in your possession as soon as possible.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
(Signature)
James Worthington