Embezzling money does not always involve complicated schemes. In some cases it just takes a single employee stealing money from the workplace. Some workers, like cashiers, take advantage of the fact that they have charge over money at the time of purchase. Once the purchase is complete, embezzling workers may ensure that they get a share of the money, if not all of it.
According to Chron, skimming takes place when an employee diverts money that should have gone into a cash register or other legitimate place of storage. The employee does not record the purchase in the record books. Instead, the employee pockets the cash. In many instances, skimming can occur without leaving any paper trail, which leaves the employer without an easy way to detect the theft.
Cash skimming may occur in a number of ways. Sometimes a cashier simply pockets the cash and does not register the sale. Some employees use their employee discounts to lower the sales amount so that the invoice registers a smaller purchase price. The employee keeps the difference without the employer knowing that the product had sold for a higher price. Skimmers may also write off larger amounts for destroyed or damaged merchandise to pick up more cash.
Employers have ways to try to find out if workers are skimming money. These can include checking the inventory to make sure products are not vanishing without corresponding sales, monitoring employees in charge of generating invoices, and personally counting cash instead of an employee. Employers may also approve worker discounts before an employee can register one.
Tight control over cash and transaction invoices may also prevent an innocent employee from falling under suspicion. Embezzlement charges can carry legal consequences and stain the reputation of the person accused. A workplace properly monitoring its purchases and cash may keep real embezzlement from happening and also protect the reputation of its employees.