Time Theft At Work

[lilcrumper17]

I had been working for a company for several years and during the past year. I had been combining my two fifteen minute breaks into one thirty minute break and going out to my vehicle. I didn't know during this time that this was against company policy(however they did express that this rule was stated during orientation). On several occasions I had fallen asleep and stayed out of the store for longer than the thirty minutes I had allotted. Lp eventually found out I was doing this and I was fired for time theft. When they called me in they only mentioned one day that I had been out there for 45 minutes. Do my breaks not count at all in this circumstance and therefore instead of being only fifteen minutes over they consider it 45? Can they go back and try to find evidence or tape to add up time I was outside thinking I was on break to try to charge me in wages lost or something, or will they more likely be happy with just firing me?

[4eyedbuzzard]

Time theft?

Okay, I have seen the term before.

I'm trying to digest it from a traditional recoverable theft standpoint.

I don't think a civil demand or criminal charges could stick.

They'll probably be happy just to fire you for abusing their policy regarding break time.

[Bireyn]

What the heck kind of store is that? Shouldn't LP have more important things to watch than you standing at your vehicle for 45 minutes.

[Security Consultant]

LP is charged with investigating violations of company policy. It's not just about catching thieves.

[panther10758]

LP often is used for time card fraud and the like. LP has CCTV that often has a time date stamp which can be used to prove time an employee enters or leaves building. LP duty is stopping loss. Time theft results in lost

[4eyedbuzzard]

LP often is used for time card fraud and the like. LP has CCTV that often has a time date stamp which can be used to prove time an employee enters or leaves building. LP duty is stopping loss. Time theft results in lost

Does the employer have any legal remedy other than termination? I'm doubtful that any law enforcement agency would arrest anyone for theft based upon this. Nor do I think a civil action would prevail or a demand would be upheld in court. Your opinion?

[panther10758]

Of all the theft of time issues I was directly involved in all we did was terminate

[lilcrumper17]

Thank you all for the fast responses. I feel a little bit better about it now. Hopefully termination was all they wanted. Sometimes it just seems like people will find a way to come after you for anything these days.

[Mouser]

Time theft is litigable but not criminally prosecutable.

[lilcrumper17]

So that means they can try to add up every time they got on camera and try to sue for it then? Don't you think that would waste more payroll time than its worth though? Seems like a lot of work unless the Lp had nothing better to do.