Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: roundbuilder on March 15, 2012, 08:22:20 pm

Title: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: roundbuilder on March 15, 2012, 08:22:20 pm
Did a first clean in and out wanting it 8 weekly £100 job this afternoon I did the outsides and employee did the insides. Got a phone call just now accusing us of stealing an iPod. Well I know it's 100 percent not me as was just doing the outsides but how do I go about accusing my worker with no proof either way?? I don't think he is thieving material but on the other hand how well do we know our staff
??. Anyway the customer paid me via cheque and I left it with her that if the iPod doesn't turn up then I won't pay the cheque into account. I feel angry that she accused us as has never happened before and im hoping it turns up there end, but on the other hand if it doesn't turn up I know someone who will be joining the dole que...
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: lyndy on March 15, 2012, 08:26:28 pm
Should have insisted she got the police
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: Erithwc on March 15, 2012, 08:26:55 pm
Is the custard trying it on  ???

Regards Paul
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: roundbuilder on March 15, 2012, 08:29:55 pm
I might do that then they could maybe check finger prints as they said iPod was on a dock. Nice 1 Lundy.
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: Londoner on March 15, 2012, 08:30:15 pm
This is exactly why I won't do insides except for a few long term existing customers.
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: stuart mc on March 15, 2012, 08:30:37 pm
Should have insisted she got the police
that is what I was thinking, then if the employee doesn't have it all good if he does, sacked

plus if she was just trying it on she would back down at this point
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: weetot on March 15, 2012, 09:12:58 pm
I would have phoned the police in an instant.  It saves you any sleepless nights worrying.

Must admit, if custy wants insides doing, then I make sure its me going in to do them!
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: AuRavelling79 on March 15, 2012, 09:16:26 pm
Tell her you are paying the cheque in on the basis you have done the work. Tell her to phone the Police.
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: elite mike on March 15, 2012, 09:19:06 pm
Tell her you are paying the cheque in on the basis you have done the work. Tell her to phone the Police.

same as malc
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: Richard iSparkle on March 15, 2012, 09:24:25 pm
its a matter for the police.

they 'll always blame the cleaner...

have a word with your staff tho as it's poison for your business...  difficult conversation that one...  i've had to have it
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: Helen on March 15, 2012, 10:45:14 pm
its a matter for the police.

they 'll always blame the cleaner...

have a word with your staff tho as it's poison for your business...  difficult conversation that one...  i've had to have it

Same here! not a nice situation...... get hold of the custie and say now that you have had time to think about it, that you think she should call the police about it. Pay the cheque in as it really does make it look like you have something to hide if you don't.
Speak to your employee about it and say Mrs so & so has had an Ipod go missing. Ask if it was him, tough if he doesn't like being asked its your reputation at stake. If you have any inkling that it was him, go to the police yourself.
By the way if it does happen to anyone that employs, you cannot sack them until they have been proven guilty, but you can suspend them on no pay, pending police investigation :)
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: P @ F on March 15, 2012, 11:24:58 pm
I see a for sale sign going up next week , got a feeling you just been had chief !

Rich
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: Richard iSparkle on March 15, 2012, 11:28:05 pm
its a matter for the police.

they 'll always blame the cleaner...

have a word with your staff tho as it's poison for your business...  difficult conversation that one...  i've had to have it

Same here! not a nice situation...... get hold of the custie and say now that you have had time to think about it, that you think she should call the police about it. Pay the cheque in as it really does make it look like you have something to hide if you don't.
Speak to your employee about it and say Mrs so & so has had an Ipod go missing. Ask if it was him, tough if he doesn't like being asked its your reputation at stake. If you have any inkling that it was him, go to the police yourself.
By the way if it does happen to anyone that employs, you cannot sack them until they have been proven guilty, but you can suspend them on no pay, pending police investigation :)

if its a business decision isnt it 'in the balance of probabilities' rather than 'innocent until proven guilty'?

i;m not sure on this one.  i just sacked the cleaner as i was pretty sure she had :-(   i had 3 customers call up about her in the space of 2 days
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: P @ F on March 15, 2012, 11:30:07 pm
Oh and go bank the chq , i bet you its made of rubber BOOOOIIINNGGG  !

Rich
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: rosskesava on March 16, 2012, 12:00:54 am
How'd you know that customer is telling the truth?

I'd have called the police for her straight away.
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: bobby p on March 16, 2012, 05:56:39 am
i get a feeling if any of my workers is desperate ,if theyre telling me often how especially skint they are etc-theyre the ones to not let go inside a house . 

Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: Helen on March 16, 2012, 06:36:51 am
its a matter for the police.

they 'll always blame the cleaner...

have a word with your staff tho as it's poison for your business...  difficult conversation that one...  i've had to have it

Same here! not a nice situation...... get hold of the custie and say now that you have had time to think about it, that you think she should call the police about it. Pay the cheque in as it really does make it look like you have something to hide if you don't.
Speak to your employee about it and say Mrs so & so has had an Ipod go missing. Ask if it was him, tough if he doesn't like being asked its your reputation at stake. If you have any inkling that it was him, go to the police yourself.
By the way if it does happen to anyone that employs, you cannot sack them until they have been proven guilty, but you can suspend them on no pay, pending police investigation :)

if its a business decision isnt it 'in the balance of probabilities' rather than 'innocent until proven guilty'?

i;m not sure on this one.  i just sacked the cleaner as i was pretty sure she had :-(   i had 3 customers call up about her in the space of 2 days

Wouldn't want to be in the box if you were on the jury ;D " balance of probabilities"?
Seriously, you cannot sack anyone without having a proper investigation into the matter and proving that they are the guilty party.
Suspended no pay works in a couple of ways anyway.
If they are guilty, they are probably going to disappear once suspended, especially if the police are involved.
If they are not, they have nothing to worry about and once re-instated you can always back pay them anyway.
To the OP, your decision, but I would have a long chat with your guy before work starts today, that's if he turns up? ;)
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: Richard iSparkle on March 16, 2012, 07:47:14 am
its a matter for the police.

they 'll always blame the cleaner...

have a word with your staff tho as it's poison for your business...  difficult conversation that one...  i've had to have it

Same here! not a nice situation...... get hold of the custie and say now that you have had time to think about it, that you think she should call the police about it. Pay the cheque in as it really does make it look like you have something to hide if you don't.
Speak to your employee about it and say Mrs so & so has had an Ipod go missing. Ask if it was him, tough if he doesn't like being asked its your reputation at stake. If you have any inkling that it was him, go to the police yourself.
By the way if it does happen to anyone that employs, you cannot sack them until they have been proven guilty, but you can suspend them on no pay, pending police investigation :)

if its a business decision isnt it 'in the balance of probabilities' rather than 'innocent until proven guilty'?

i;m not sure on this one.  i just sacked the cleaner as i was pretty sure she had :-(   i had 3 customers call up about her in the space of 2 days

Wouldn't want to be in the box if you were on the jury ;D " balance of probabilities"?
Seriously, you cannot sack anyone without having a proper investigation into the matter and proving that they are the guilty party.
Suspended no pay works in a couple of ways anyway.
If they are guilty, they are probably going to disappear once suspended, especially if the police are involved.
If they are not, they have nothing to worry about and once re-instated you can always back pay them anyway.
To the OP, your decision, but I would have a long chat with your guy before work starts today, that's if he turns up? ;)


didn't know you could suspend on no pay.  i like that!

sounds like the best way to go
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: David Lingard on March 16, 2012, 07:56:42 am
Should have gone back with the worker in question and talked about it in person. If he has taken it you may be surprised & get lucky if he admits it. If the custy is trying it on they may back down when you say lets call the police then.

Agree with above maybe the custy wanted a free clean :)

Dont give them the money for the ipod or forget about the cheque - if you dont charge for the work you have done it makes you seem guilty! cash the cheque, and have fun doing it
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: Scott Dean on March 16, 2012, 08:38:00 am
i'd def call the old bill and get you, your employee and the customer (who was there at the clean) to all sit down and sort it out. chances are its been misplaced as lets be honest here an employee risking his or her job over an ipod, which aren't that expesive is a long shot...
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: TomCrowther on March 16, 2012, 08:58:13 am
I did a one off insides only a few months ago. Started upstairs and worked my way down. They had a through lounge with two big sofas and three chairs and I had to move some of them to get to the french doors etc. Anyway, moved the first big sofa and on the carpet underneath was a large wad of twenties. Almost toilet roll size!
I thought I should mention it at first, but then I thought fck it, she must know it's there, so I just cleaned the windows and moved the sofa back.
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: Richard iSparkle on March 16, 2012, 09:01:43 am
its not for you to call the police as you've not had the theft.  it is for the customer to call them if they think that is what happened.  all you should do is cooperate fully with the police.  still cash the cheque but assure the customer you're taking the matter very seriously, and also let them know that the staff member may well loose their job over it so they should be very confident of what they are saying.
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: AS Window Cleaning on March 16, 2012, 10:26:52 am
it's a difficult one this. interesting to get ideas tho. guess a lot depends on level of trust you have with employee too. would feel bad hanging him out to dry without proof, or at least more than just one accusation.

definitely good to involve police, good test for both customer, and employee, and shows your n,open and transparent.
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: d s windowcleaning on March 16, 2012, 10:56:32 am
Do you trust your worker who did the insides ? i would just say to him mrs at that house as said a i-pod as gone missing so we are going to go see her over this , once you go insist she phones the police .
I think she minght be trying it on .
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: Bay View WCS on March 16, 2012, 02:10:08 pm
Do you trust your worker who did the insides ? i would just say to him mrs at that house as said a i-pod as gone missing so we are going to go see her over this , once you go insist she phones the police .
I think she minght be trying it on .


Exactly this -No messing about as it gives your worker an opportunity to come clean (or plead their innocence). It also shows the custy you are serious and gives them a way out when you tell her you want to involve the police.
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: matthewprice on March 16, 2012, 04:52:47 pm
i got acused of steeling 2 gold watches years ago ,woman was a drunk ,i insisted she call the police nearly had a fit ,i called them and they thought she probably floged them for drink and was worried hubb ;Dy found out ,she got a caution
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: stuart mc on March 16, 2012, 05:00:43 pm
i got acused of steeling 2 gold watches years ago ,woman was a drunk ,i insisted she call the police nearly had a fit ,i called them and they thought she probably floged them for drink and was worried hubb ;Dy found out ,she got a caution
;D
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: Erithwc on April 29, 2012, 12:46:20 pm
How did you get on with this did the ipod turn up  ??? my money is on the ladys son  ;D ;D

Paul
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: roundbuilder on April 29, 2012, 01:36:26 pm
Nope it never turned up!! However strangly enough she still wants us to do her windows. Happy days.
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: Erithwc on April 29, 2012, 02:24:20 pm
Nope it never turned up!! However strangly enough she still wants us to do her windows. Happy days.

 ;D ;D ;D that says it all if she still wants you to do her windows she knows where the ipod is the son lost it and didn't tell mummy  ;D ;D

lets face it if you thought some one stole from your home you wouldn't have them back would you   ;) ;)

Paul
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: Pureclean Essex Services on April 29, 2012, 02:31:39 pm
As everyone else said call the police,I would deffo have called the police in.

Regards Brian.
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: Sean Dyer on April 29, 2012, 05:23:49 pm
Nope it never turned up!! However strangly enough she still wants us to do her windows. Happy days.

 ;D ;D ;D that says it all if she still wants you to do her windows she knows where the ipod is the son lost it and didn't tell mummy  ;D ;D

lets face it if you thought some one stole from your home you wouldn't have them back would you   ;) ;)

Paul

Wow , i wouldn't be going back !!

After being accused of theft ... no chance
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: Halfadaylee on April 29, 2012, 07:45:20 pm
Nope it never turned up!! However strangly enough she still wants us to do her windows. Happy days.

 ;D ;D ;D that says it all if she still wants you to do her windows she knows where the ipod is the son lost it and didn't tell mummy  ;D ;D

lets face it if you thought some one stole from your home you wouldn't have them back would you   ;) ;)

Paul

Wow , i wouldn't be going back !!

After being accused of theft ... no chance

Nor me.
Art
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on April 29, 2012, 07:49:04 pm
Nope it never turned up!! However strangly enough she still wants us to do her windows. Happy days.

 ;D ;D ;D that says it all if she still wants you to do her windows she knows where the ipod is the son lost it and didn't tell mummy  ;D ;D

lets face it if you thought some one stole from your home you wouldn't have them back would you   ;) ;)

Paul

Wow , i wouldn't be going back !!

After being accused of theft ... no chance

Nor me.
Art

Me neither - unless they apologised for the false accusation!
Title: Re: Accused of stealing from custys house
Post by: Paul Coleman on April 29, 2012, 10:01:08 pm
I do try to be polite to customers but think I might make an exception in this case.
Did you bank the cheque and get paid for the original clean?