We use motion-activated cameras for monitoring our wiring closets - maybe someone has a friend in IT who could work up something similar? Maybe as a demo for management?
-mdf
This can work. Till the day you find the sign that says “So did I.”
I really think that HR empowered this bitch. She now knows that she can steal food with impunity. She now knows noone will dare fuck with her, she’ll get you fired if you have a wholly legitimate complaint.
I use one of those 6-pack coolers for my lunch (and my husband has one, too). I never put anything in the refrigerator because of thieves. My coworker has a tiny refrigerator (not much bigger than my lunchbox) that she keeps her food in. She also keeps a small microwave in her office. Both out of sight so people won’t complain (our group doesn’t care, including the boss, but some would throw a fit).
I’ve never understood refrigerator thieves. The majority of my coworkers have degrees in business and/or computer information systems. We’re educated, well-paid employees. I cannot comprehend the thought that goes into stealing someone’s food when one can well afford one’s own.
Oh, and I’ve licked food before to keep my husband from snagging it. He thinks it’s gross to eat food someone, even I, have licked, so it’s great to keep him away from my cookies. 
Does this fridge thief have any food allergies? Just a thought.
I’m just amazed at how often this type of thread pops up.
Some people really have a lot of nerve. I would never dream of stealing someone else’s lunch.
[George Costanza] We’re living in a society! [/George Costanza]
I just wanted to say that I hope you went to HR and I hope the bitch gets nailed. Even if they wanted to fire you because she claimed that calling her on her illness made it a “hostile environment”, a good employment lawyer could make sure you get all of your lost wages. Going to HR, the arbiter of company disagreements, can in no way be misconstrued as “creating a hostile environment” when complaining about food theft.
YOU be empowered, fuck the little thief.
Sam
Yesterday before I left, I sent an email to the facilities manager. In many ways she is more powerful than HR, because she can have your car towed if you are parked illegally, she can turn off your phone if she thinks you’re violating phone policy, etc. I get along with her just fine, but she is not the sort of person on whose bad side you want to be.
Anyway, there was a note on the fridge this morning which basically said that Facilities Management filed a “class-action” complaint with HR, and a closed-circuit camera is going to be installed in the “Kitchenette Area.” Apparently, “violators will be prosecuted,” although it doesn’t say for what. It also sounds like they are going to be putting in a small mini-fridge for items that people don’t mind sharing (flavored creamers, butter, cream cheese, etc.).
So, now I am betting that unrefrigerated lunch items start disappearing. Like, one day I’ll go to the ladies’ room just before lunch, and when I get back to my desk, my can of soup will be gone. Stuff like that. We’ll see, I guess.
The impression I’m getting of this person is that not only will your soup be gone, there’ll be a note saying “Next time bring saltines.”
Good for you! Hope the clepto doesn’t stirke again.
Sam
Good for you and good for the facilities manager. Not only do I (like other posters) not get how some people feel free to take other people’s food, I don’t get how HR, or anybody in management, can turn a blind eye to that behavior.
I mean, taking food is stealing for Christ’s sake! Stealing! It’s not even borderline “borrowing” or something. So how can someone, as a presumably responsible HR director, not want to put a stop to it? If stealing food is OK, how about paper? That red Swingline? Waste baskets? Fax machines? Laptops? All up for grabs!
Yeesh.
Holy shit.
Sadly, I wouldn’t put it past them. They’d also probably also complain afterwards about the carbs in the chicken noodle soup they stole.
I wonder this myself, especially because we all had to sign a “professional ethics pledge” when we were hired. The document is pretty vague, but it does say something about not stealing from the company. You would think “don’t steal from other employees” would also apply. My take on it is that our HR rep hates people and doesn’t really want to have anything to do with any actual employees. Go figure.
Your HR rep is Catbert??
These people are just like the public nose pickers. By God, they must be stopped!
I wish - Catbert is at least cute. HR Bitch looks and acts like Mimi from “The Drew Carey Show.” With more makeup, and three smoke breaks an hour.
[highjack]Random compliment. Nothing useful to add. (I’m not a stealer/nor do I know any, thankfully.) Sorry for the intrusion - - but this thread is HILARIOUS!![end highjack]
applaudes the room
If you really want to catch this person red handed, do the following. Make a sandwich consisting of:
[ul]
[li]Bread[/li][li]Meat[/li][li]Cheese[/li][li]Lettuce[/li][li]A concealed tiny wad of hair [/li][li]Mustard[/li][/ul]
Leave this “trap” sandwich in the communal area and listen for the sounds of hacking.
You’re going about it wrong, rockle. Instead of any of these other brands of dissuasion, just write, “Baskin Robbins ice-cream in here,” and no one (with any self-respect–even imagined) will touch it. 
::drool:: Mmmm… Red Swingline… ::drool::