Ability can be taught and learnt, but integrity would have built up all thoughtout his life. So I am with Flora.

@Flora-Wow, that’s quite an analysis. Are you sure you never met him?

I would have definitely let Tim go also. Doing the right thing is not always fun or easy, but it’s absolutely essential. Keeping to your core values in this situation made a statement to not only Tim and you, but to all the other employees who were watching to see how this would be handled.

For Tim to be willing to sacrifice his reputation, his customers and his job by committing such a major crime tells us that there was a serious crack in his character. But getting to the bottom of what happened to Tim is a job for a psychologist or therapist, not his boss.

Since Tim took the risk of repeating this crime over a period of time, it’s clear that he is calculating and aware of his wrongdoing. The fact that he was well-liked and good at his job makes me think he was a great manipulator as well.

Tim is fortunate that you didn’t prosecute.

The easiest question to ask yourself when you’re not sure if you’re doing the right thing is, “Is it worth it?” A few stolen hours or even profitable merchandise is rarely worth the cost of your character and your reputation.

In one case, my boss made the call, but several years later hired the same guy back. He said it was more important to HIM that he forgive and move on. “Besides,” he said, “those who are forgiven of a biggie, can turn out to be your most loyal employees.”

I still struggle with that one because I’m in the camp of “fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.”