The Xinhua News Agency.

AUGUST 11, 1999

 STUDY SHOWS EMPLOYEE THEFT A
BIG PROBLEM FOR U.S. COMPANIES

Seventy-nine percent of employees in U.S. companies steal from their employers, according to a study released Wednesday. the study, surveying more than 500 employees nationwide on the issue of employee theft in the work place, found only 21 percent of employees are basically honest and will never steal. thirteen percent are dishonest and will undoubtedly attempt theft and the remaining 66 percent will steal if they see others doing so without repercussion. "The results of the study turned up some astounding facts that will clearly surprise many business owners and management level employees," said Michael G. Kessler associates, a U.S. investigative and forensic accounting firm specializing in corporate issues affecting today's work place, which conducted the study. although employee loyalty is what every manager strives for, the firm said, employee loyalty may in fact be a tip off to a more serious internal problem. employee theft amounts to 120 billion U.S. dollars a year, according to the investigative firm, which surveyed workers spanning from the blue-collar sector to the corporate boardroom.