Did you know that over $50 billion is stolen each year from U.S. businesses by employees? Did you also know that three out of every four employees has stolen at least once from their employer?

Source: Statistic Brain

With the holiday season now upon us it is not uncommon for office theft to skyrocket and become a headache for facility owners and managers.

If you think large ticket items are the most common things stolen from your office then you need to think again. In reality it’s the small stuff that you need to sweat, which often includes:

• Pens, pencils and highlighters
• Scissors
• Post-It’s
• Toilet paper (???)
• USB  memory sticks
• Tape
• Printer Ink
• Paper (and paper products)
• Binders and binder clips

While no office can be 100% secure from office theft, there are measures you can put in place to prevent office theft from becoming a major headache this holiday season. Below are some tips:

No Piggybacking – do not open the door for unwelcome guests in your office and/or facility (a long-lost uncle can qualify).

Secure All Areas – make sure you secure all valuables, and lock all desks and cabinets.

Monitor Building Access – be certain that all entrances and exits are monitored for visitors. Require all guests to check-in prior to visiting an office.

Utilize an Equipment Security Log – keep track of equipment checked in and out with a security log.

Educate, Train and Report Suspicious Behavior – it is imperative that office personnel is trained and knows how and where to report suspicious behavior without putting their livelihoods at stake.