r/whatdoIdo • u/Jazzlike-Dealer-2017 • 5h ago
My employee accidentally exposed my business partner and now I don’t know what to do
I own a small business with a 50/50 partner. We’ve been working together for a couple years and, for the most part, I thought everything was fine.
Last week one of my employees asked if he could talk to me privately after closing. I thought he was going to ask for a raise or complain about another employee.
Instead he asks me, “You know your partner has been taking cash out of the register, right?”
I laughed because I genuinely thought he was joking.
He tells me there have been nights when my partner comes in, opens the register, takes cash, and tells whoever is working that I already know about it. Apparently everyone assumed it was normal because… he owns half the business.
I definitely did NOT know about it.
So I went through months of camera footage and register reports. I couldn’t see everything, but I found multiple nights where the numbers didn’t make sense. On one night, the register was short almost $900.
Here’s where it gets weird.
I decided not to confront him. Instead, I casually mentioned that I was thinking about installing a new POS system that tracks every cash transaction and automatically sends both owners a daily report.
His entire attitude changed.
He immediately started saying it was unnecessary, too expensive, and that employees would feel like we were “watching them.”
Then the next morning he randomly texted me:
“By the way, sometimes I take cash for business expenses and forget to put the receipts back.”
I NEVER accused him of taking cash.
I never even mentioned missing money.
Now I’m sitting here wondering if he basically confessed without realizing it.
The employee who originally told me is begging me not to mention his name because he’s scared he’ll lose his job.
I own 50% of this place, have a ton of money tied up in it, and now I don’t even know if I can trust the person who owns the other half.
Would you confront him now, keep documenting everything quietly, or bring in an accountant first?
498
u/TheGhostOfSgtOsiris 5h ago
Whatever you do you better not tell a fuckin soul who told you, and if things work out you give him a fat raise. You can't buy loyalty like that, a good soul just potentially saved your business, pay him back when you can. And in a real way. No 100$ gift card shit.
That said your partner was 100% stealing from you. No one lies to conceal something unless they know it's wrong and needs hidden.
95
u/HotAndShrimpy 5h ago
100% this dude is OP’s new manager.
10
u/jojomac08 4h ago
This is a bot post
11
u/Un4gettableAngel 3h ago
Bot, because nowhere comes up $900 short on a register and doesn’t investigate.
11
u/nursecarmen 2h ago
Work in the service industry long enough and you’ll see it. It’s amazing how some places can stay open. Knowing food ≠ knowing money.
5
u/Chouxnicorn 4h ago
How can you tell?
12
u/jojomac08 4h ago
Look at the profile. All the dumbass posts and not 1 response from them in any post
23
u/OldDiamondJim 5h ago
Please, please listen to this OP. That employee put their neck out for you. Protect them.
6
1
0
u/Maffia5159 4h ago
This is a nice thought, but this guy has a legal battle ahead of him and in situations like this there really isn’t room for anonymity. The partner definitely knows who told him coincidence like this are never really a coincidence.
9
u/Striking_Display8309 3h ago
"I was randomly looking through the camera "
2
u/Itchy_Tumbleweed_417 3h ago
Exactly he doesn’t need a witness, he has the cameras. Bringing the other guy into it just muddles the evidence, it could add some doubt as to who was really taking the money, leave that guy out of it.
4
u/TheGhostOfSgtOsiris 3h ago
His partner literally, unprompted, told him he was stealing the money. And he has security camera footage to back it up.
"My partner told me he was stealing so I went to look it up and I have months of evidence."
2
u/Apprehensive_View932 1h ago
Lawyer here: this is complete bullshit. And I don’t mean in the strictly legal sense, because there you’re correct, I mean in the practical sense where many explanations justify the discovery of fraud. The truth in court is whatever cannot be proven false (again, practically speaking), so his explanation of reconciliations not making sense and looking through the cameras is actually stronger evidence than an eye witness in some aspects.
38
u/Hopeful_Emu849 5h ago
Your employee didn't accidentally expose your partner. Your employee was being responsible. Your partner didn't confess without realizing it. He knew exactly what he was doing. He knew he was going to get caught, so he tried to get out ahead of it and make it sound reasonable. He confessed, full stop.
And his excuse is bullshit. If it had been true, he would have told you as soon as you brought up the idea of a new POS system, instead of waiting until the next morning. He wouldn't have bothered with all that bullshit about worrying your employees would feel like you're spying on them.
You could try asking him to account for every penny he took... make him tell you how much, and what the supposed business-related purpose was. But his response will almost certainly be bullshit. Maybe you could try to convince him you have a log of all the discrepancies.
How were these discrepancies not noticed sooner?? Doesn't anyone manage the business's finances at all?
11
103
u/HotAndShrimpy 5h ago
You should contact an attorney to discuss options before you make any moves. I bet you could ask during a free consult, maybe call a few. This isn’t uncommon, happened to my good friend.
33
u/Cheezypoofsnack 4h ago
And get your accountant/ bookkeeper involved to audit EVERYTHING. You are getting screwed, prob more than you know
7
13
u/Bitter-Software9373 4h ago
PSA: free consultations are not to get advice, they are to talk to the attorney and see if you like them. Lawyers aren't allowed to give legal advice without being formally retained. Beyond that, service providers get paid for their knowledge and expecting to get that for free is shitty!
2
5
u/obligatory-purgatory 5h ago
I am sure can get a consult for a small fee. It’s routine. But I have no idea what you would be asking for. A way to get out of the partnership?
3
-9
u/Awkward_Beginning_43 5h ago
Stop with the “free consultation” crap. You know nothing about the law except judge Judy. Why do you people spout this in the first two seconds. It’s like you just can’t wait
5
u/ExplanationLate9858 5h ago
Dude never claimed to know anything. Thus the suggestion to speak to an attorney..
1
u/Awkward_Beginning_43 3h ago
Corny as shit
1
u/DarthOswin747 55m ago
Hi! Genuine question here. How is this being corny? Like, what about this is bothering you? I don't know a whole bunch about legal stuff, and I see this in comments all the time, which is why your comment gave me pause.
1
u/Bitter-Software9373 4h ago
What does being aware of the existence of a free consultation have to do with knowing about the law?
0
19
u/Working_Operations 5h ago
He needs to supply the receipts or it’s theft and don’t ever rat out the employee.
5
u/withoutpeer 5h ago
This. Is a regular part of his duties to buy stuff for the business in any way to start? When he said he sometimes uses cash for business expenses did op say, "wait, what do you mean, like what expenses?" Like if it's an auto shop and the partner brings in a replacement power tool or a new PC for receptionist... Or whatever. If he's actually purchasing business goods and just really bad about proper procedure and bookkeeping that still sucks but it's not just stealing from the drawers. Sounds pretty shady but not enough info to know... I'd imagine the partner knows the business has cameras so him walking in to take cash out if the drawers would seem pretty obvious.
3
u/Working_Operations 4h ago
Yep the OP should just ask them it’s actually kinda weird they made up a story about a new POS instead of just asking.
15
u/ScheduleSea867 5h ago edited 4h ago
Hire a forensic accountant quietly and give them everything off site. Figure out a number that he has taken. Sit him down and calmly expose what you found and one of two things, well three things actually. He owes you this cash and you move forward and he promises to never take cash without telling you.
Pays you the cash and you buy him out over time.
Pays you the cash and he buys you out over time.
Don’t confront him until you have a number.
If he refuses all options then ya got another problem.
He is shady and shady never changes. The big question here is do you want to be in business with shady.
1
u/WitchesofBangkok 5h ago
This is the right answer.
Along with the other commenter who pointed out that now you don’t need to mention the employee because your partner confessed.
16
u/thereelsuperman 5h ago
How tf did a $900 short till not get flagged by anyone
7
2
2
u/Wrong-Discipline453 3h ago
Exactly. The day/night that happened, I would’ve gone through the cameras right then.
8
u/Portie_lover 5h ago
Perfect, now you tell him you went through the videos and receipts based on what HE told you. Employee maintains confidentiality.
1
7
u/hawaiianmoustache 5h ago
Your business partner is both stealing from you and lying to you, and your employee is great.
Lawyer up, like fucking yesterday friend.
5
u/lmdirt- 4h ago
Check out this post history.
5
u/Unc_Sleepy 4h ago
300k in debt Gf getting cracked by friend. All in the last 4hrs Either OP has the worst luck in the world or it’s all fake
1
u/Miserable_Agent2278 2h ago
So odd. Makes me think this is like the alpha test so the creator/backer behind it can tweak it to perfect it for its real purpose because why the fuck would anyone make a bot to make a story like this?
Next gen will have hidden post history and will comment back
6
u/Routine_Anywhere9563 3h ago
Forensic accountant. Claim you’re being audited by the IRS. Once the audit is complete, tell him to give up his half of the business or he’ll be charged with fraud and embezzlement.
2
u/cooking_question 2h ago
Highly recommend this because OP has tax implications on that money since the thief probably took thousands. They are going to have to do something since this involves tax problems otherwise, the company could be plagued with audits. Better to establish that OP wasn’t in on it.
I had a shitty business partner who lied on taxes, I had to hire a separate CPA to file amended forms basically saying my partner had lied. I was sick over it.
My CPA told me it was highly likely the IRS would go after my partner instead of me because A. I filed the form; B. My taxes were clean; and C. My partner never filed their taxes on time and owed back taxes (another story but admitted they had not been making estimated tax payments every quarter as instructed by our accountant, owing tens of thousands.) They would have to prove what they filed before they would go after me.
I never heard a word.
Don’t go into business with stupid people because they think they can cheat the federal government and shit splatters.
9
u/YouOweMeYourLife 5h ago
Personally, I'd talk to him face to face. Ask what we're talking about, $50 here and there or $5,000 here or there. Tell him either way if y'all get audited you both get quite fuckef for embezzling, so get those receipts and pay the money back asap.
I say this because he obviously has some kind of problem and if he's honest about it maybe you can get him some help, earn a much more loyal partner, and not have to burn everything to the ground and lose your partner, possibly to prison.
I, personally, wouldn't have went into business with anyone I am unwilling to do that for. If you don't care what happens to him, ignore.
You misspoke tho. Even if he comes clean, you objectively can't trust him not to use the cash register like petty cash. Implement that system and make him agree to it.
Just my thoughts, not trying to act like I know your situation better than you. All the other replies are basically "crucify him and his kids, and his pets" and I don't really rock with that. If he didn't come clean and agree to what I said I would literally beat his ass. If he comes clean tho, you can salvage this and come out ahead.
5
u/Wild_Alps7664 5h ago
Whatever you decide to do, don’t rat out the employee. You want your employees to trust you and to tell you things you don’t see. If word gets around that you can’t be trusted to protect them when they tell you the truth, you’re on your own with no loyalty
6
4
6
u/ComfortableGround403 4h ago
Do not rat out the employee. Instead you should secretly give him something to show you appreciate his loyalty.
Do say something to your partner. But plan it first. Lie and say yku noticed the cashier was short $900 one night and went back to see if employees had been dipping. You realize he had been.
I dont have advice further than that, aside from installing the POS system. I dont know if you should keep him or not.
5
2
u/JohnSDembowski 5h ago
One of my business partners was writing checks out of the middle of our checkbook to "hide" him stealing cash. I felt bad for him. Squeezed him out. He had done other things that i ended up having to clean up. Should have just called the cops.
5
u/Who_Your_Mommy 5h ago
Absolutely get your ducks in a row. Tell your partner the he needs to give you receipts for these 'business expenses' because you need them for tax purposes. Also, mention the drawer being off by so much and not having an explanation for it looks terrible for the employees. Find a lawyer for your next step. Never rat out the employee that told you. Give him a raise.
2
u/Feral__Daughter 5h ago
Back up those files and keep a copy at home in a safe or a safety deposit box. Watch yourself people are nuts and he’s already shown he can’t be trusted.
Protect the employee who told you by never telling anyone until it’s time if ever. Then like other people mentioned don’t go cheap on a raise and instant bonus
4
u/ExplanationLate9858 5h ago
I'd speak to an attorney. You're probably already out tens of thousands.
4
u/Mar_Dhea 1h ago
Lol your employee didn't "accidentally" expose anyone. He very deliberately did what needed to be done despite the fear if losing his livelihood.
Start collecting all the evidence you can and maybe go post in legal advice reddits to find out what legal means you have to deal with it and protect your assets.
3
u/WhiteHotMess 5h ago
This type of things is really common. Your bookkeeper should have flagged this for you years ago. Do you not have one? I get referrals for review and clean up all the type on this type of partnership situation.
3
3
u/Chardan0001 5h ago
I mean does no one check the OP history? Its obviously fake. Literally one hour ago they posted another fake story.
3
u/Humble-Pineapple-329 5h ago
Get a lawyer and start documenting. Get an accountant to comb through everything.
3
u/taewongun1895 5h ago
Who does the books? You need to get more involved in the accounting. This means looking over the register's cash out receipts and getting the numbers of what gets deposited into the bank. Has your partner produced any receipts to show they have used the money they took for business expenses?
If it were me, is go back over six months or a year of cash outs and bank deposits to see how much is missing.
3
3
u/deeper-diver 4h ago
What function does your business partner do besides grabbing cash out of the register? If your partner fessed up without a heads-up from anyone, he knows that you know, and most likely mentioned it to you after-the-fact to avoid doing forensic auditing to determine how much he took.
I suppose the question is "What outcome would you prefer?"
I suppose you could give your partner the benefit of doubt and ask him what he's been spending that money on? Of course he said business expenses, but without any receipts to back it up, I would guess that they're not business expenses. In that case, he's embezzling from you and the business. He's using it as his own personal piggy bank.
3
u/TNJDude 2h ago
First, I would keep that employee's name to yourself and not even tell your partner that someone told on him. Your employee took a huge risk and leap of faith because as far as he knows, you actually were aware of it and there could be the chance you wouldn't like him talking about the co-owner behind his back. So I wouldn't give your partner any reason to start looking at the employees.
As to how to proceed, I don't like confronttation and would probably say "there were times I was going nuts because the numbers weren't making sense. Let's make sure that if either of us take any money, it's documented. If numbers don't add up with us documenting it, then I'll just bring in an accountant to help us keep track of everything." Then I'd do something that lets me keep track of the register daily and if it started showing discrepancies, I'd bring in that accountant.
1
u/Advanced-Schedule918 2h ago
When we got a new pos system the guy installing said the person that is against it is stealing from your business and he was right
2
u/Mission_Store_9252 5h ago
Bring in an accountant and get a lawyer. This is probably fake af since nobody smart enough to own a business would post on a "what do I do" subreddit. But on the very small chance OP is slow and actually somehow owns a business... Yes. Lawyer and forensic accountant. ASAP.
Based on your story, you can run reports to verify cash balances make sense... But you've just literally never done it? So you've never caught any nights where it didn't make sense? I mean, no wonder he's stealing... He thinks his partner is an idiot.
1
u/ExplanationLate9858 5h ago
You'd be surprised how many people slow people are financially well off for any number of reasons.
Some of the most intelligent people I know have nothing, and some of the dumbest people I've ever met are making six figures.
2
u/AscensionGyan 5h ago
Ride the wave, sell the business or least your stake in it & take the profits to fund the same biz with new partners. If you stay with the current one they will certainly blow it all up!
1
u/ExplanationLate9858 5h ago
It might not be worth anything at this point.
1
u/AscensionGyan 4h ago
Sorry to hear that but don’t give up now. You’ve already invested so much. What kind of business is it?
1
1
2
2
u/Jaded_Leg_46 5h ago
Have a forensic accountant go over all the finances and then seek legal advice. Your business partner has already stolen from the till so you need to know if there are other possible discrepancies. You could use what he did to your advantage and use it to gain more governance over the finances and protect both the business and the employee.
2
2
u/Pleasant_Event_7692 4h ago
Consult with an accountant or attorney. You cannot allow this to continue. You do not need to expose your employees. You have camera footage.
2
u/thankyoufriendx3 4h ago
“How much do you think it is? Can you pay it back? If you’re not sure we can get a forensic accountant.”
Friend had to do this. Ended up to be just over $200k partner was arrested and convicted. It adds up quickly OP. Get the amount and if it’s substantial call the police. You can’t remain partners with someone who steals. Hurts but it’s over.
2
u/Helpful_Fox652 4h ago
Also- give a big thankyou to your employee who came to you with this info. That’s someone you want to stick around and have your back long term.
2
u/Difficult-Way-9563 2h ago
Do not even remotely give a hint on who told you. That person went out on a limb with no motive than just to look out for you/business and do the right thing. It’d be beyond bullshit to betray that person.
If you confront your partner, don’t even mention another person as your partner will likely find them.
2
2
u/CookUpstairs1737 1h ago
Asking your partner how much he thinks he has not submitted receipts for is not out of line. Also bringing up the shortages should be part of your conversation. Then hiring an accountant plus installing the the new system your partner does not want is a must. You trusted but now must verify. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. Don''t get fooled again.
2
1
1
u/International-Two274 5h ago
Lawyer up and talk to him face to face after getting all of the facts on your side
1
u/ItsTheEndOfDays 5h ago
My manager was stealing cash for almost a year before we documented it enough for him to get fired. I’m betting yours has been doing it just as long, if not longer.
1
u/tycointl 4h ago
If "1 night was short almost $900" & you have no idea how long or how frequently this has been going on, you have no idea how much your partner has stolen. Coild be 10's pf thousands of dollars. Hire a forensic accountant, and a lawyer and get ready for fireworks.
1
u/Annual_Government_80 4h ago
You cannot trust your business partner. They are a thief. Don’t refer to them as a friend refer to them as a thief.
1
1
u/pinkharleymomma 4h ago
You need a full independent audit now.
He needs to pay back the business.
You need a POS.
Consider realigning responsibilities so you can see more
Perhaps pressure him so you are majority owner
1
1
1
u/AimHigh-Universe 4h ago
Updateme
1
u/UpdateMeBot 4h ago
I will message you next time u/Jazzlike-Dealer-2017 posts in r/whatdoIdo.
Click this link to also be messaged. The parent author can delete this post
Info Request Update Your Updates Feedback
1
u/Sathane 4h ago
He didn't "accidentally confess". He knows he's about to get found out when the 'new POS system reveals the excurricular cash debits' and is trying to get ahead of it by claiming they were business expenses and he "forgot" to bring in receipts to justify them. I would mention to him that you've audited the registers on a number of occasions and discovered them down by upwards of $900, which is why you feel the need for additional oversight. Those unaccounted "business expenses" should go directly against his shareholder loan account unless he can provide the receipts for them. I would absolutely get those POS systems in place and keep a very close eye on this person. The employee's name never has to be mentioned and he will never know.
1
u/Icy_Introduction8445 4h ago
I worked for a shop that was family owned. A bunch of brothers owned a few shops together. The shop I worked at I was really cool with the brother that worked there. That brother decided to go back to his country to visit his wife and kids and he took
$50,000 from the business with him. The other brothers were pissed because he didn’t mention it to them but he was part owner and they let it go.
I thought it was hilarious that guy really used to crack me up.
1
1
u/Ruthless_Bunny 4h ago
My cousin’s husband got royally screwed by his business partner and ended up owing the IRŠ hundreds of thousands of dollars
I’m sure you can discuss with your attorney and accountant
The fact that someone can ward in, grab cash out of the register and you were oblivious until an employee told you, tells me this is a hobby, not a legitimate business
1
u/SugaKookie69 3h ago
If he is embezzling cash from the registers, he may be cheating in your books. I strongly recommend hiring a forensic accountant to check your books out.
1
u/Packtex60 3h ago
My son was keeping the books for a group of restaurants and figured out that one partner was skimming. It happens
1
1
u/Ornery-Set-9230 3h ago
Your partner is hiding a deeper problem, drugs, gambling, hookers. Taking cash from the business and not telling you for months and would not have told you had you not said anything about a new pos.
1
u/texasusa 3h ago
Curious how you could have ongoing register shorts from apparently trivial to $ 900 without being noticed ?
1
u/Itchy_Tumbleweed_417 3h ago
I worked for a small business 20 years ago where this was happening. One partner was paying all his bills his mortgage etc. with the business money, the other partner had no idea.
The other partner only realized we were in trouble when the first guy was laying people off and trying to convince those of us in the office that we needed to work for free for a couple weeks until he could catch up.
I left a couple weeks later and moved away and I guess the place shut down, and when the guy tried to file bankruptcy it wasn’t approved because of the obvious embezzlement.
1
u/simikoi 3h ago
EVERY retail business I have ever worked at, and there have been quite a few, counts the drawer every night after close. Some even count at the end of each shift. If they are even a couple cents off they make a note of it. How in the world can you be off $900 at the end of a day and have no idea? What kind of business is this?
1
u/jtmonkey 3h ago
This is embezzlement. Taking money for personal use. You know about it. You have two options, deal with it, install a camera on the register which you should have anyway. And tell him he gets a one time pass but this broke a lot of trust. Be up front. That if it happens again you’re on the hook because you didn’t report it.
1
u/dan_d_elle_n 3h ago
Not an inadvertent confession. An unsuccessful attempt to cover his tracks. Please don't out the employee who did you and your business a favor.
1
u/Minute-Frame-8060 3h ago
Where is the "accidentally" part? The employee requested a conversation with you for this express reason! Explain to your partner that you're doing an audit and get accounting from him of the missing funds and a timeliness for paying it back.
1
u/EducatorDifficult413 3h ago
Accountant. Make sure you keep all the footage of his light fingeredness, and his text, and then contact a lawyer once you have all the evidence.
1
u/Comfortable_Emu2488 3h ago
Ask him, in this order
- how much was taken
- what was the business expense
50% of your investment is tied here and as a small business owner, it could be hard removing your self immediately.
But you need to remove from this partnership, as this is fraudulent behaviour. 1. Put in POS system and any other measures needed to ensure no fraud can take place 2. It could be immediate or it could take 2 years, but get out of this partnership 3. Obviously, don’t expose how or why you are doing this
1
u/Salt_My_Watermelon 3h ago
Your bookkeeper should have noticed discrepancies if your partner hasn't been providing receipts for the business expenses. In my younger days I worked for a small business. Every time one of the owners took cash from the drawer, I added a line item to my closeout sheet - [owner initials] [-amount] and if they put change back [owner initials] [+amount] along with any receipts. One of the owners didn't like that and I suddenly found myself without a job.
1
u/DisastrousVideo2765 3h ago
I was the tattler once in a very similar situation. The partner I approached was a family friend I worked for who had taken on a new partner.
He said, "Son, I appreciate your loyalty. But don't you worry about this. I'm fucking him WAY harder than he's fucking me.".
1
1
1
u/statslady23 2h ago
If we had a functional IRS, any disgruntled employee could spill the beans and screw you. You could get caught anyway.
1
u/BedroomNo6879 2h ago
I've been around for this type of thing on a way bigger scale (company is doing $300M in revenue...kind of deal). Nobody wanted to blow the business up - so one of the partners figured out how much was taken - recovered the money from the other partner...and then some (like 30% penalty for embezzling the money in the first place). He then hired more accountants to track things better.
1
1
u/Extension_Spare3019 2h ago
Anyone leaving that much cash in the till is begging to get robbed. I would count myself lucky not having a proper cash drop policy hasn't gotten someone killed yet. And also create a proper cash drop policy and require any cash purchases for the business be made with personal funds to be reimbursed from the safe upon receipt of the... receipt. You might as well be throwing money in the trash if every expense isn't tracked and calculated for taxes.
1
1
1
u/Dazzling_Stop_8116 2h ago
Where is the day end audit? $900 missing on one day? Someone isn’t doing their job!
1
u/OverworkedAuditor1 2h ago
You need an outside accountant doing your books, also should be managing AP and AR
Everything goes through a credit card
No more cash transactions unless it’s a wire or ACH
1
1
1
u/Taco1983 1h ago
Spend the money, upgrade the system because there is no situation that would explain a register being $900 short.
1
u/styrofoamspider 1h ago
I have never worked anywhere that if the drawer was short by an amount over $20, there wasn’t an investigation. $900? I have trouble believing it.
1
1
u/Optimal-Rub5463 1h ago
People generally repeat things that are the truth unprompted and unasked, people also orchistrate stories that they may only say once. I would document, ask about said expenses and if he takes them from the register (you are half responsible for whatever he took it for). Look into the new pos system, let staff know to inform you if they notice anything concerning (see something say something) if it feels off, it probably is. People are generally scared of repurcusions, don't say anything about the employee for all he knows it was a customer that brought attention to it. (anonymous tip)
1
1
u/Mach5Driver 1h ago
Bring in the accountant AND the POS system AND better cameras. Take your employee out for a steak dinner. You are really keeping him hanging and worrying. Why the HELL is he BEGGING?? And I'd give him 10% of everything your thief of a partner returned.
1
u/kkrolla 1h ago
You don't have to expose the employee. You say you noticed the EOD totals were off so you looked at video footage. Make sure you back it up first to somewhere partner doesn't have access too. Do an accounting of mismatched totals and if you can, correlate it with the video footage. Employee didn't do this by accident, they saw you were probably too trusting.
1
u/Odd-Character2025 1h ago
If he took it out for “business expenses,” then ask for every single receipt that he conveniently forgot to put back. Then see what he says.
1
1
1
2
u/BlacksmithQuick2384 1h ago
I don’t know the best way forward with your partner but your systems are shit if someone can pocket $900 without anyone picking up something is wrong. Fix your systems.
0
u/Remarkable-Court8794 1h ago
The only logical solution is to collect as much evidence against him as you can, then start taking money out of the drawer yourself. Once you have collected some stacks, take legal action against him. He won't even see it coming. (Also, I give terrible advice. Don't do that.)
1
u/ConstantThis1588 1h ago
Accountant, forensic auditor, include all available video footage and quietly inquire of other employees who are working those shifts about money being taken by partner- obtain motorized statements, bank records- then law enforcement
1
1
u/Ok_Reporter8315 31m ago
Simple eftpos only
From now on I was a contractor and employee for a business partner I blew the whistle and he told me if I waited another 3 months the company would have been destroyed
0
u/Ok-Communication6519 5h ago
This seems like an obvious answer. You need to confront them and get everything documented with receipts.
If they can't then they are stealing from you full stop. Money's being taken from YOUR business and you have no idea where its going.
I suspect they know that you are about to figure it out so the text was a half ass cover for the theft.
How can you trust your business partner if they are going behind your back. Also what kind of expenses are being paid off the books anyway. You should be aware of all incoming and outgoing expenses and they shouldn't be coming from the cash register.
0
u/InSignificantEnTitty 5h ago
Well, #1 never rat out the employee and give him your word. Just tell your partner you saw the numbers were off and assumed it was the system. That’s why he confessed, that’s what he thinks is hapoeneing and why you are talking about getting a new POS
268
u/elrond-half-elven 5h ago
He confessed _with_ realizing it. He knew he was about to get caught.