GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Must-Know Employee Theft Statistics [Latest Report]

Highlights: Employee Theft Statistics

  • 75% of employees have stolen from their employer at least once.
  • In the U.S., employee theft costs businesses approximately $50 billion annually.
  • Employee theft in the retail industry accounts for 43% of lost revenue.
  • The average time it takes to detect employee theft is 18 months.
  • 37% of employee theft cases involve managers or executives.
  • Small businesses with fewer than 500 employees have had the highest median loss due to employee theft, at $289,864.
  • Male employees commit employee theft at a higher rate than female employees, with 55.5% of cases involving men.
  • The average employee theft case can last for a duration of 16 months before being detected.
  • Employee theft accounts for 4% of annual revenue loss in the restaurant industry.
  • 33% of businesses that declared bankruptcy cited employee theft as a contributing factor.
  • American businesses lose 7% of their annual revenues to employee theft and fraud.
  • Cash theft is the most common form of employee theft, accounting for 40% of incidents.
  • 52% of employee theft cases are committed by individuals aged 31-45.
  • The average loss from employee theft in the construction industry is $246,000.
  • Approximately 10% of new employees will be involved in workplace theft.
  • Employee theft and fraud are more prevalent in companies with less than 100 employees, accounting for 28% of cases.

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Employee theft is a serious problem that affects businesses of all sizes. According to recent statistics, 75% of employees have stolen from their employer at least once and employee theft costs U.S. businesses approximately $50 billion annually. In the retail industry alone, 43% of lost revenue can be attributed to employee theft while small businesses are 2.5 times more likely than larger corporations to fall victim to it. On average, it takes 18 months for employers to detect employee theft and the median amount stolen by an individual is $50,000 – with 37% involving managers or executives in some capacity.
Small business owners should take note as they are disproportionately impacted by this issue; having had the highest median loss due to employee theft at $289,864 according to one study conducted in 2020 . Furthermore 85% of cases involve individuals with no prior criminal history and male employees commit these crimes 55-60 percent more often than female counterparts do on average – lasting 16 months before being detected on average too. Cash remains the most common form (40%) followed closely by those aged 31-45 accounting for 52%. The restaurant industry loses 4%, construction companies lose 246k per incident whilst 10 % new hires will steal from you if given half a chance. Finally only 16 % get reported law enforcement so its important we stay vigilant against such activity .

The Most Important Statistics
75% of employees have stolen from their employer at least once. This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of employee theft in the workplace. It highlights the need for employers to take proactive steps to protect their business from the financial losses associated with employee theft. By understanding the scope of the problem, employers can better equip themselves to prevent and detect employee theft. In the U.S., employee theft costs businesses approximately $50 billion annually. This statistic is a stark reminder of the immense financial burden employee theft places on businesses in the U.S. each year. It serves as a powerful illustration of the need for employers to take proactive steps to protect their assets and prevent employee theft.

Employee Theft Statistics Overview

Employee theft in the retail industry accounts for 43% of lost revenue.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the devastating impact employee theft can have on the retail industry. With 43% of lost revenue attributed to employee theft, it is clear that businesses must take proactive steps to protect their assets and ensure that their employees are held accountable for their actions. By understanding the scope of the problem, businesses can better equip themselves to prevent and detect employee theft.

The average time it takes to detect employee theft is 18 months.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the importance of having effective measures in place to detect employee theft. It highlights the need for businesses to be proactive in their approach to preventing and detecting employee theft, as the average time it takes to detect it is far too long. This statistic serves as a warning to businesses to take the necessary steps to protect their assets and ensure that employee theft is detected and addressed quickly.

37% of employee theft cases involve managers or executives.

This statistic is a stark reminder that employee theft is not limited to lower-level employees, but can also involve those in positions of power. It highlights the need for employers to be vigilant in monitoring all levels of their workforce, not just those at the bottom. It also serves as a warning to managers and executives that they are not immune to the consequences of employee theft.

Small businesses with fewer than 500 employees have had the highest median loss due to employee theft, at $289,864.

This statistic serves as a stark reminder that employee theft can have a devastating impact on small businesses. With a median loss of nearly $290,000, it is clear that employee theft can be a major financial burden for businesses with fewer than 500 employees. This highlights the importance of taking proactive steps to prevent employee theft and protect businesses from this costly problem.

Male employees commit employee theft at a higher rate than female employees, with 55.5% of cases involving men.

This statistic is significant in the context of employee theft statistics because it highlights the disproportionate involvement of men in such cases. It serves as a reminder that male employees should be monitored more closely to prevent and reduce employee theft. Additionally, it may be indicative of a larger problem in the workplace, such as gender inequality or a lack of diversity in leadership roles.

The average employee theft case can last for a duration of 16 months before being detected.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the importance of having effective measures in place to detect employee theft. With an average duration of 16 months before detection, it is clear that businesses must be vigilant in order to protect their assets and ensure that any instances of theft are identified and addressed quickly.

Employee theft accounts for 4% of annual revenue loss in the restaurant industry.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the financial impact employee theft can have on the restaurant industry. It serves as a warning to restaurant owners and managers to be vigilant in their efforts to prevent and detect employee theft. It also highlights the importance of having effective policies and procedures in place to protect the business from the financial losses associated with employee theft.

33% of businesses that declared bankruptcy cited employee theft as a contributing factor.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the potential consequences of employee theft. It highlights the importance of taking proactive steps to prevent such occurrences, as the financial and reputational damage caused by employee theft can be devastating.

American businesses lose 7% of their annual revenues to employee theft and fraud.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the financial impact that employee theft and fraud can have on businesses. It serves as a warning to employers that they must take proactive steps to protect their assets and ensure that their employees are held accountable for any wrongdoing. By understanding the magnitude of the problem, employers can take the necessary steps to prevent employee theft and fraud from occurring in the first place.

Cash theft is the most common form of employee theft, accounting for 40% of incidents.

This statistic is a stark reminder that cash theft is a major issue in the workplace, and one that employers must take seriously. It highlights the need for employers to be vigilant in their efforts to prevent and detect employee theft, as it is the most common form of employee theft. Furthermore, it serves as a warning that employers should not underestimate the potential financial losses that can be incurred due to employee theft.

52% of employee theft cases are committed by individuals aged 31-45.

This statistic is a telling indication that employee theft is not just a problem among younger generations, but also among those in the prime of their working lives. It is a reminder that employers must remain vigilant in their efforts to prevent theft, regardless of the age of their employees.

The average loss from employee theft in the construction industry is $246,000.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the financial impact employee theft can have on the construction industry. It serves as a warning to employers to be vigilant in their efforts to protect their businesses from the costly consequences of employee theft.

Approximately 10% of new employees will be involved in workplace theft.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of workplace theft, and serves as a warning to employers to be vigilant in their efforts to protect their business from such criminal activity. It highlights the importance of having effective security measures in place to deter and detect any potential theft, as well as the need for employers to be aware of the signs of employee theft and take appropriate action if necessary.

Employee theft and fraud are more prevalent in companies with less than 100 employees, accounting for 28% of cases.

This statistic is a telling indication of the importance of vigilance in small businesses. With fewer resources and personnel, it is essential for companies with less than 100 employees to be aware of the potential for employee theft and fraud. The statistic serves as a reminder that no business is immune to the threat of employee theft and fraud, regardless of size.

Conclusion

Employee theft is a serious problem that affects businesses of all sizes. According to statistics, 75% of employees have stolen from their employer at least once and employee theft costs U.S. businesses approximately $50 billion annually. In the retail industry, 43% of lost revenue can be attributed to employee theft while small businesses are 2.5 times more likely than larger corporations to fall victim to it with an average loss amounting up to $289,864 per incident. The median amount stolen by employees is estimated at around $50,000 and 37% of cases involve managers or executives who often go undetected for 18 months on average before being caught due in part because 85% had no prior criminal history when they committed the crime; 55.5% were male perpetrators aged 31-45 years old and cash was found as the most common form taken in 40 percent of incidents reported worldwide – 10 percent involving new hires alone. Furthermore, only 16 percent are reported law enforcement authorities while 33 percent declared bankruptcy citing employee theft as a contributing factor resulting in 7 percent annual revenue losses across American companies particularly those with fewer than 100 staff members where 28percent occur within this demographic group costing them an average sum total reaching up to 246 thousand dollars each time.

References

0. – https://www.acfe.com

1. – https://www.billy.com

2. – https://www.journalofaccountancy.com

3. – https://www.emerchantbroker.com

4. – https://www.businesstech.co.za

5. – https://www.ncr.com

6. – https://www.cbsnews.com

7. – https://www.blog.poachedjobs.com

8. – https://www.biztechmagazine.com

9. – https://www.forbes.com

FAQs

What is the most common type of employee theft?

The most common type of employee theft is the unauthorized taking of cash, merchandise, or company information.

What percentage of annual revenue do businesses typically lose to employee theft?

On average, businesses lose about 5% of their annual revenue due to employee theft.

Which industries are most affected by employee theft?

Retail, banking, and the service industry are among the industries most affected by employee theft. However, it is a widespread issue that can impact any type of business.

What are some common warning signs of employee theft?

Common warning signs of employee theft include sudden changes in an employee's financial situation, excessive absenteeism, refusal to take vacations (as it might reveal their activity), and unusual behavior around security measures or inventory checks.

What preventative measures can businesses take to reduce employee theft?

Businesses can reduce employee theft by implementing strong internal controls, conducting background checks on employees, maintaining a clear code of conduct, regularly auditing financial records, and providing employees with an anonymous reporting system for suspicious activity.

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

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