Employees suspected of theft

[Lancer]

Hello all,

A friend of mine is one of three people (plus a supervisor) who works in a small accounting office for a non-profit organization. My friend works part time during mid-day. At any given time, there is several thousand dollars on hand in a safe. Some of it is used when employees travel and need cash advances, and some of it is "transitory" in nature, as various departments give them cash for eventual deposit. Their accounting controls are fairly lax, I'm told, for what it's worth.

Over the last several months, there has been cash missing periodically. Sometimes small ($15), other times large ($500). Well, the s**t has hit the fan, and everyone who has access to the safe is now a suspect. Each has been asked to submit a written statement.

What can my friend expect at this point?

What can the organization do without concrete evidence that one particular person is the thief?

If my frind is dismissed without any evidence, does she have any legal recourse to clear her name (for future employment purposes)?

Thanks.

 

[SF Lawyer]

This is NOT legal advice, but generally the employer doesn't need proof as in most states most employees are "at will". The employer can fire them all, or some or use a hunch -- even if wrong. If he says the person stole he would be potentially liable for defamation. If she doesn't give a statement, that's suspicious. As it is a charity, after the United Way flap, they can be expected to come down very hard.