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It's been said that 10% of employees are honest, 10% will cheat every chance they get, and the other 80% will go whichever way they feel at that particular moment. Whether this saying is accurate or not, the vast majority of people find themselves sitting on the ethical fence. Of course no situation tests us more than the urge to get something for nothing. In plain terms, something for nothing is more accurately called "theft."

Theft is one of those things that can sneak up on you at work. You look around and see the vast resources and stuff at your fingertips. Whether it is products off the shelf or equipment around the office, the lure to get something for nothing can lead the best of us to rationalize ourselves into an ethical minefield.

Theft can be a tricky topic because even the most saintly person can struggle with it to some degree. Avoiding the temptation to get something for nothing is a combination of both the situation that is presented and the ethical character of the individual to deal with it. Problems in either area cause trouble.

Figuring out what's behind it all requires us to understand some common facts about employee theft and examine the "whys" behind it. The specific areas that are critical to understand include the opportunity for theft, attitude of the individual, the atmosphere of the workplace, and the consequences in place.

As for opportunity, it's a fact that most employees don't steal from employers because of need. They don't actually need the item but steal because the opportunity easily presented itself like taking candy from a baby. If the chances of getting caught are low or nonexistent, it stands to reason that the odds of theft will be high. That pile of extra inventory that nobody needs or cares about is calling your name. No one would ever know if you used it. While employers need to reduce the opportunity for theft, employees must resist the easy bait. To keep things in perspective, reiterate the fact that you don't need it. It's not worth the risk to your job, the guilt, and the dangerous precedent it sets for your standards of moral behavior. No matter how easy or insignificant it may seem, just let it go.

The inclination to take something that's not yours may come from negative feelings toward your job, a bad attitude, or hurt feelings. This kind of attitude may lead to a subtle desire for revenge. Maybe you feel your company has wronged or mistreated you or maybe you feel underpaid and under-appreciated for the hard work you do. Since you feel there is no payoff for your effort, you decide to create your own pay. Even if the boss is mean and the pay is lousy, you should not allow your attitude to justify taking matters into your own hands.

The general atmosphere of your workplace sets the ethical tone for everyone. Low morale is a major reason why businesses suffer from low production and employee theft. It's tough to think right and do the right thing when no external forces exist that support you. There is an underlying conflict between your good attitude and the negative weight of the environment around you. They fight each other. Low morale and poor atmosphere cause people to not care and lose respect. When this happens, the only deterrent for some people to theft is the fear of getting caught.

On the most basic level, the amount of employee theft is directly proportionate to the consequences doled out. The lack of consequences for bad behavior only encourages more bad behavior. It helps to be a little scared. If there are no set consequences to employee theft, then employees will continue to steal because they think that they won't be punished. Even those individuals who are not likely to break the rules may let their ethics slide in a consequence-free environment. Just as an individual should take the hard line against stealing, likewise the employer should do the same.

Everyone is tempted by something for nothing. Whether it's easy, or you won't get caught, or you won't get punished, don't let yourself be in that 80% who determines their ethics on whichever way they feel at that particular moment. Remember the old saying, there is no such thing as a free lunch. And if it is free, you'll probably get indigestion later.