I'm looking to see if any other members have a policy on the theft of scrap metal from their workplace?

I have a client who is losing quiet a lot of ££ where by scrap metal and deliberate pulling of additional cable, that is then scrapped is being taken to scrap yards to fund socials etc.

They want to implement a policy to prevent this and make it part of their disciplinary process, does anyone have experience of implementing such a policy or have an example I could consider?
Many thanks

Stuart

Policy should allow (agreed with local unions if such exist) that persons and vehicles leaving the premises can be subject to random searches

As DB - removal without consent is theft and would be covered by an existing policy as Gross Misconduct

Several employers where items of no commercial value to the company were permitted to be removed by the employees e.g. scrap broken pallets, old canvas sheeting required a pass out note signed by a senior manager of the company. The note was submitted to security for verification of items intended for removal before leaving the premises. Only items recorded on the document could be removed.

However locked doors & honest men... perimeter CCTV recording was required to identify an individual who sought to avoid this control by having a stash point away from the main works entrance / employee car park - they were soon an ex-employee with a criminal record

Is it being stolen safely ???

I agree with the others posts that theft is theft and probably covered elsewhere in the organisations policies on conduct.

Pulling too much cable with the intention of it becoming 'scrap' seems a bit more specific but again would probably already fall within the conduct type policy.

I have often joked with our HR Director that our conduct policy only contains a short list of the things I am 'not allowed to do' so does this mean I can do X, Y and Z, as she says to me you don't need to be told that doing X, Y, Z it is not allowed as you know this behaviour is wrong (X, Y and Z are usually really flippant like have a Rave, run a brothel or keep a Zebra at work!!) My point being is that don't get tied up in writing specific policies on what you can't do or you would be at it all day long.

My other thoughts are if scrap metal is by definition 'scrap' is there a legitimate way of the employees having it for personal disposal, using a procedure suggested in #3 or do the company sell it and gain an income.

I suppose if the employees sell it there is likely to be tax implications and possibly contraventions of waste disposal regulations.......