This hurts because of the lack of loyalty shown to us. A bit of looseness around the office when the boss is gone is normal, but not this kind of taking advantage. But there are plenty of small-business owners who do understand that their workers need to get the oil changed, go to the doctor or pick up a birthday present during workhours. These are the employers who are willing to bend a little if their employees just ask. These also are the cats who are deeply wounded when they find the mice playing.
Mutual trust is vital in any job relationship.
Some big businesses are getting into open-book management. In that respect, some small businesses are ahead of the game. In a perfect world, employees wouldn't raid the till and wouldn't shirk duty when the owners' backs are turned. They'd take pride and honest responsibility. In a perfect world, business owners wouldn't set draconian work rules.