Supply Closet Snooper

[WORKS_Steph]

Dear Nicole,

I work in retail and our company has this policy that if we catch an employee stealing we get paid $5,000. Well, I've noticed that one of my good friends at work has been showing up wearing pieces from the store that she definitely couldn't have afforded on her own. Normally I'd stay out of it, but I'm struggling to make ends meet myself—afraid I won't make rent this month and they’ve already shut off my AC! Do I rat her out? Help!

Sincerely,

Supply Closet Snitcher
New York, NY

What do you think she should do?

[blondetx1]

If you are a good friend to her then she certainly doesn't need any enemies! Let your good friend know that you are suspicious that she is stealing and that probably others are keeping an eye on her as well. Then you ask for a extra shift or take a part time job and get yourself out of your grim financial situation. That takes much more character than being a snitch! Who knows? Your friend may be so thankful you've help set her straight that she offers to loan you the money.

[Agent Holly]

I'm going to try not to sound "catty" because I am above that, and you won't respect an opinion of someone who is lashing out at you...

So here goes. DO NOT say a word.
You do not know this girls personal situation and every detail of her life.
How could you possibly know if she could afford it or not? NOONE not even my husband knows what I have or don't have in my bank account. You also don't know if she got the items at a discount warehouse, or if she put it on a credit card where she can make payments.

I'm just an up front person myself, so I would just walk up to her if it is bothering you so desperately, why can't you just say it casually?
"Girl, that dress is SO CUTE! I know that is so expensive how can you afford that? I would LOVE to have that dress but I can't afford it!" See what she says, but at least you can say you walked up to her and ask.

If she says she stole it, then FREE PASS to go tell, but if not, it isn't your truth to tell and Karma will come around and kick you in the butt.

I'm sorry about your A/C being turned off but, why don't you go to your Manager and stress to them that you are in some financial difficulties and you love your position at your job and instead of seeking a second job, you want to ask if you can have more hours.

I hope things go better for you but please take the high road and do not cause harm to someone else when you may not know the whole story of what is going on.

[MizzExecutive]

In response to your message:

I think that if you noticed, someone else must have as well. Especially if the items she's wearing are from your place of employment. With that said, do you really think she'd be so brave to wear the jewlery to work after she stole them? I mena the girls who work in that department should know which items have been stolen and to see her with them on they could look in to it themselves to see if she really purchased those items. If that's the case, someone else is probably going to rat her out anyways, and to be honest it's her own fault for wearing them to work.

On the other hand if she is your good friend, are you willing to rat on her and risk losing a friend? Just so you can make one months rent? That's something you need to think long and hard about. She will get what she deserves, like I said someone is going to put two and two together. And I do agree with what the other lady said about asking for more hours. For me it wouldn't be worth it.

[lharper]

you cant be her friend a friend would tell her that just as you are thinking about telling on her for the money someone else is so whatever she is doing if anything (because you have no proof for real) to just stop it before she gets in trouble somoe good friend you are

[NicoleWilliams]

Zip it, my dear. Throwing someone else under the bus for your personal gain is not okay... especially when it's one of your good friends. Sell your old clothes on eBay, pick up a night shift, do what you have to do to make ends meet, but don't make your friend pay your rent.

-nlw

[merlot50]

Retail managers sometimes use employees as bait to see who is honest or not. When I worked retail, gift cards with a substantial amounts of money on them were left laying around to see what employees would do. I turned one in to the store manager and he said "Well you passed the test". It could be the same deal.

As others have said, if you didn't see the girl stealing, then you cannot judge her. Let it go for now.

[jans]

What kind of friend are you that you would turn her in? If she is a friend then you need to talk to her. Maybe her mom or someone is buying her clothes so she looks nice for work. I am 50 and my mom still picks things up for me when she sees something I would like. My daughter is 24 and she has yet to buy her own clothes. My mom and I buy for her. So if it is bothering you that much have a talk with her as a real friend would do.

[GuitarCrazyo]

Well it sounds like a power supply is trying to go out.......i think you need a bigger one........how many optical drives do you have? and do you have any internal backup drives?