gimme back my pie plate

What is the correct course of action when an office mate steals/appropriates your flatware, dishes, pots, etc.? I "lost" a Williams/Sonoma pie dish yesterday and a Henkel paring knife last month. I'm curious as to whether this kind of crap occurs in Lawyers offices as well as the blue collar kind that I've been forced to share.

That really sucks. I think one of two things happened;

It's inadvertent, in which case post up a notice, or if your office is small, talk to people individually and stress that these aren't dollar store items and you'd like it if they keep an eye out for them.

OR

You actually have someone who is stealing, in which case you cannot just start making accusations. If someone did steal those things, they probably took them home so I doubt you can establish any kind of proof. In this case, you're just going to have to watch your stuff, since clearly someone in your office is a bonafide thief. Only consider this option once option 1 likelihood has been exhausted.

If you can't identify the thief, burn the office down.

Or what sfield said (is that you sfield??). To clarify, is this stuff you left in an office you share with someone? Or did the items go missing from a communal kitchen area?

Originally Posted by Spatlese

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If you can't identify the thief, burn the office down.

Or what sfield said (is that you sfield??). To clarify, is this stuff you left in an office you share with someone? Or did the items go missing from a communal kitchen area?

How come every time I'm nice people don't think it's me???

Originally Posted by Spatlese

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To clarify, is this stuff you left in an office you share with someone? Or did the items go missing from a communal kitchen area?

The items went missing from a common kitchen area. It's generally a small friendly staff and I was comfortable air drying my items while I worked, but no longer. I've been too foolish I guess.

Originally Posted by nostrings

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The items went missing from a common kitchen area. It's generally a small friendly staff and I was comfortable air drying my items while I worked, but no longer. I've been too foolish I guess.

You haven't really been foolish, you just work with someone you cannot trust, and that's not your fault.

Try to address subtly, and if it's blown off, I'd start looking for somewhere else to work. If people will do stuff like that to you, imagine what else they're capable of?

People steal stuff both intentionally and unintentionally, no matter the office. The only solution is to leave your nice stuff at home. Get some cheapies for office use. Or, in the case of something like a pie pan, wash it after use and dry with a towel.

Send out a company wide email about it.

Thanks guys.

Make sure when you bring things to the office they are Ikea, not williams & sonoma.

IE wine glasses from Ikea $1.99

wine glasses from williams/sonoma $48 for two.

Originally Posted by SField

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How come every time I'm nice people don't think it's me???

Blame Jumbie for starting that other thread

But seriously, I think you've shown yourself to be very reasonable.

I really think you need to find the motivation for the theft.

Is the perpetrator crying out for help through this thievery? If that's the case, you really must sit down with him and try to get to the root. I'm certain it is some manifestation of a poor self-image that this poor person has been carrying around inside all his life. Clearly this is just another instance in which the system has failed this pitiful individual, meaning that we all are poorer. Only working together, as a village, can we lift up this pained spirit, allowing him to flee these societal bonds and once and for all realize his maximum potential.

Or you could just track down his ass and beat the **** out of him.

Put up a passive-aggresssive anonymous note complaining about it. (the way of the Seattle badass)

Post on Craigslist R&R with a snarky narrative about how you're glad the person got the pie plate they'd been deprived of all their life, and they must need it so much more than you. Post replies lauding it and suggesting it be voted 'best of'. (the normal Seattle way)

Consult a voodoo witch doctor and have a hex placed on all your possessions, that your Henckels knives my slip and gouge the thief, maiming his thieving hand, and the pie plate may shatter in his kitchen, while he's wearing a bathrobe, bare feet and the gleeful smile of a successful petty pilferer. (the best way I can think of)

Originally Posted by Dakota rube

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Is the perpetrator crying out for help through this thievery? If that's the case, you really must sit down with him and try to get to the root. I'm certain it is some manifestation of a poor self-image that this poor person has been carrying around inside all his life. Clearly this is just another instance in which the system has failed this pitiful individual, meaning that we all are poorer. Only working together, as a village, can we lift up this pained spirit, allowing him to flee these societal bonds and once and for all realize his maximum potential.

Or you could just track down his ass and beat the **** out of him.

Yea I wasn't sure until about the 2nd sentence that you weren't totally ******* with us...