Workplace theft

Workplace theft January 16, 2007

Even Christians can fall prey to the perils of an unhealthy attitude at work. Consumed by a dislike for the job, we don’t think about wearing the robe of Christ into the workplace. We don’t think about salvation for the person working right next to us. We don’t think about doing all things unto the glory of God. We focus solely on our own needs.

We even think about sticking it to the boss, cheating the company, or ruining our coworkers.

How many people have been caught up in the theft of office supplies as a way to get back at the boss, as a sick sense of entitlement? What about when you take your employers’ time? Have you ever stretched a break out five minutes or a lunch out 15 minutes? Have you ever called in sick, just to get even? The theft of time is just as wrong as the theft of merchandise or cash.

An estimated 79 percent of workers admit either stealing or considered stealing from their employer. And while we might dismiss a legal pad or a pen – it’s still stealing, costing American business $600 billion a year. CNN even reports that one out of three businesses goes out of business because of employee theft.

We all know that far more serious things can happen in the workplace because someone’s feelings were hurt. There is a silent rage that lurks just beneath the surface in some of our peers. There are those among us who seethe, who fret and fuss. The beast sits just outside the gates – and everyone knows it.

What leads us to behave so badly in our work lives? Why do some of us act in a way that is completely opposite from scriptural teaching? What is it that triggers our attitude to go from good to complacent to downright vengeful? Leave your comments below!

10 ways we steal at work

Please, share with a friend if you feel moved.

Read all past issues at http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davidrupert


Browse Our Archives