OLIVIA FROM ORANGE COUNTY ASKS
My storeroom supervisor is selling our extra pallets under the table to one of the produce vendors for $5 apiece. My other employees are complaining to me because they’re not getting any of the money, and word has gotten out to our other vendors, who are threatening to tack on a $5 charge for each pallet they bring into the hotel. I’ve brought this up face-to-face with my storeroom supervisor, who denies it. We don’t have surveillance cameras, and I haven’t seen any of this with my own eyes. How do I fix this mess?

THE STAFFING DOCTOR ANSWERS
Olivia, unless I’ve gone daft, it’s the storeroom supervisor’s job to prevent shrinkage in your facility, not perpetrate, aid, and abet it. If pallets are wandering out of the storeroom, you’ve got to wonder what’s happening in the meat locker. And if the bootlegged pallets are truly “extras,” why, then, are some of your other vendors complaining?

Truth is, your facility pays for those pallets; their cost is built into the price of the goods and produce purchased and delivered to your premises. Unauthorized sale of those items out the back door, therefore, constitutes employee theft.

Olivia, this one’s a quadruple threat: the shrinkage, the supervisor, the offending vendor, and general attitude of the employees. Use the following maneuvers to outflank them all:

• Put your storeroom supervisor on written notice that the current pallet situation is unacceptable and that his or her job is on the line. Require him or her to agree in writing that no goods will be sold from the supply room without your express signoff.
• Call in a uniformed cop and invite in a security systems vendor or two. Don’t make a formal complaint or buy anything yet—this move’s mainly done for its theatrical effect—so make sure those visits are visible to your staff. While you’re at it, gather some pointers on catching the “perp.”
• Track the pallets. Find a way to add them to your inventory system and review those lists often. If there’s a valid way to make money for your facility by recycling the “extras,” set it up—above the table.
• Have a chat with the vendor who is buying the pallets, making it clear that all unauthorized purchases must stop, or you’ll take your business elsewhere.
• Meet with your staff. Redefine the issue, from “Why aren’t I getting my share of the booty?” to employee theft, which will not be tolerated. Haul out your company’s policy manual and treat your staff to some salient quotes in that regard.

CONTACT THE STAFFFING DOCTOR— As president of StaffDynamics, www.staffdynamics.biz, Daniel Abramson has focused on workforce performance strategies and “raising the bar” for over 25 years. His energetic, no-nonsense style appeals to clients seeking results at a new level. He is available as a corporate trainer, management coach, and for high-impact speaking engagements. His latest book is Secrets of Hiring Top Talent. Please send questions you would like Daniel to address to mcaro@hotelfandb.com. Your anonymity will be respected.