The legal definition of the word theft is the wrongful or deliberate taking of money or property belonging to someone else with the intent to deprive the owner of its use or benefit, temporarily or permanently. In simple terms, stealing something means taking someone's property without permission. Theft is the act of stealing and is defined by Ivancevich, Konopake, and Matteson as the unauthorized taking, consumption, or transfer of money or property belonging to an organization. The purpose of this article is to explain and discuss employee theft in the workplace. The goal is to provide information on the motives, methods, and effects of employee theft.Motives for Employee TheftIn an effort to meaningfully discuss, the fundamental or underlying reason for employee weight must be understood. Why do employees choose to steal from their employers? what is the motivation behind the act of stealing? There are many reasons why employee theft occurs. The simplest and most likely motive is expediency. This perspective can be described as the “just because I could” way of thinking. Employees, or anyone for that matter, do not always necessarily have a valid or concrete reason to steal. The mere fact that employees see the opportunity to steal and do so with minimal chance of being caught is enough to motivate them to commit the act. Perhaps one of the most common and well-known reasons behind theft is financial difficulties. Employees who are struggling financially are more likely to steal from their employer because it fulfills a need. “Hospital staff received an anonymous tip on Monday that employees in the radiology department were stealing computers and reselling them online. They hired a private investigator to purchase one o...... middle of paper...... ID: 2058494681).John Aguilar. (August 15). Woman gets 7 years in prison for stealing $130,000 from her workplace: part of DA's crackdown on economic crimes. McClatchy - Tribune Business News,***[insert pages]***. Retrieved October 14, 2010 from ABI/INFORM Dateline. (Document ID: 1831205291). Aker, J. (April 2009). HOW TO PREVENT OFFICE THEFT. Buildings, 103(4), 44-46. Retrieved October 14, 2010 from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 1692007111). Friedman, S. (April 2009). Tough times are causing an increase in employee theft, Chubb warns. National underwriter. P & C, 113(16), 10. Retrieved October 14, 2010 from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 1709736101).Business Writers. (March 30). There is growing concern among U.S. businesses about information theft in the workplace. Business thread,1. Retrieved October 14, 2010 from ABI/INFORM Dateline. (document ID: 40140890).