The belief that any problem causing the employee to steal will be short-lived. Physicians may be reluctant to address embezzlement in large part because they consider themselves to be healers first and entrepreneurs second. They are dedicated to caring for patients and tend to hire people whom they believe are likewise committed. Physicians may also have difficulty believing that they would not have picked up on some clue during the hiring process that the suspected employee might be dishonest. Regardless, an essentially honest employee can turn to theft out of desperation.
Some employees begin stealing after years of trustworthy service.
Others lie their way through their interviews, become established in positions of trust and then steal with impunity. Make sure all your employees who handle practice funds are bonded. Bond them, if necessary. In cases of embezzlement, a bonding company will repay your loss and seek recovery from the culprits with a vengeance. Although employees may sense that you would not pursue and prosecute them for embezzling, they will understand that the bonding company won't be so lenient.