Or they use company equipment, like cars or copying machines, for personal purposes. But embezzlement and pilferage can get a lot bigger. Or they may overcharge customers and pocket the difference or undercharge other employees and friends. Embezzlement can go from simple overloading of expense accounts, to payments made to non-existent suppliers, to complicated juggling of the company books. Inventory shortages are increasing in size or frequency.
Employees refuse vacations or promotions.
Business patterns change when a certain employee is absent. Customers complain about errors in monthly statements. Employees seem sensitive to routine questions about procedures. Unfortunately, there are many ways dishonest employees can cheat their employers. A maintenance worker stashes office supplies like calculators and typewriters in trash bins.