Exploring Time Stealing Techniques By Employees At Work

Abstract

This study explored time stealing techniques that workers use at a manufacturing firm in Zimbabwe. Thirteen research participants were chosen for the study, using the purposive sampling method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather data from the research participants. The study found that the workers used a range of time stealing techniques at the case manufacturing firm in Zimbabwe. The rresearch participants identified extended breaks, arriving late and leaving early, manipulating timesheets, buddy punching, responding to emails unrelated to work during working hours, using social media and internet during working hours, and having lengthy conversations with co-workers during working hours as some of the techniques that they use to steal time at work.The study recommends that managers at the case organization in Zimbabwe should understand techniques used by workers to steal time at work and implement preventative measures that reduce time theft cases. In addition, the study recommends that the case organization should utilize geo-fencing, time-tracking systems and surveillance systems to reduce time theft cases.