What would you do if you $100 bill at work? Turn it in or keep it? I... - Page 2

Originally Posted by Otto

I've seen and heard of two situations for money to be laying around. The first is as bait for potentially dishonest employees. An example I was told of is coin channels in vending machines being plugged up to try to catch servicing personnel stealing. The second situation is one I see all the time. I often work in customers homes while they're off to work or running errands. It's not unusual for me to see cash laying on a countertop on the first day a job. I've never discussed it with customers, but I'm sure it's a test of my honesty.

My first thought was that this was bait from loss prevention to test the honesty of the store's employees. In retail these days, Big Brother is always watching...

Like you, in my remodeling business, I would often find money on a counter or a table. Usually small amounts, but it would vary. I never thought of it as bait, rather absent mindedness. If it was not in my way, I left it alone. If it was in my way, I would carefully place it on a window sill or such. Even if it was only a few cents found on the floor. It was my way of letting the customer know I am honest and that my reward was what they were paying me, not what they forgot to hide. For me, it was a matter of personal ethics.