The phenomenon of stealing frome work.

[Tavarisch_Mike]

Since you dont get paid for as much as you produce, stealing frome your work is actualy not stealing, but more like taking back a part of your harvest so to speak. I know that this wont change anything radicaly, just improve tour own life, but wen youve able to talk with your coworkers about it they often shows theire underdwelling class consciousness, like if youve questioning some one wy they take stuff without "permission" they will say things like; "You know how much theyv'e profited frome my sweat!?", wich ofcourse is wonderful to hear. I wonder do you guys think that this can be the seed to something biger, not just improve your material life but also strengthen you and your coworkers bounds?

[Delenda Carthago]

http://rlv.zcache.com/direct_action_gets_the_goods_tshirt-p235802948110270657tr1e_210.jpg

[TheGodlessUtopian]

Hmmm...well I suppose.Although I think it depends on what you steal and why you stole it.

[The Vegan Marxist]

http://stealfromwork.crimethinc.com/

[Volcanicity]

Then you get caught,get the sack and then maybe prosecuted.Your old employer then hires new workers and nothing ever changes.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

Then you get caught,get the sack and then maybe prosecuted.Your old employer then hires new workers and nothing ever changes.

That's why you keep the Eleventh Commandment in mind: Thou shalt not get caught!

Seriously, most people who steal from work never get caught, at least in places that have a culture against grasses and suck-ups.

[bricolage]

most people who steal most things never got caught.

[Volcanicity]

Yeah youre right,I was thinking along the lines of bigger stuff like a tv or computers,things that are worth stealing.Thats where im going wrong I always think big!

[Tavarisch_Mike]

In a nearby town, where i live, is build around a mechanical factory, and there is rumours about that the reasone for why they dont have a hardware store is because theres no need for it since evrybody works at the factory and gets what they need there. :lol::cool:

[Ocean Seal]

I don't see this as doing much nor as being a revolutionary tactic. At the end of the day you're still getting screwed and at the same time you're thinking that you're getting even. I don't personally care if the bosses are losing pennies, but I say don't even bother with theft. Let us righteously take the property that the bosses have stolen once and for all.

[Klaatu]

I believe in Karma: If I steal from someome, someone will steal from me. In my life, I've actually found this to be true sometimes.

I never "steal" from my college workplace, but I do take what I need for my job (pens, paper, books, etc) Hell, they give me the older editions of textbooks (math, chem, physics,) and I have quite a shitpile of books, which are the "tools of my trade."

[Tavarisch_Mike]

I don't see this as doing much nor as being a revolutionary tactic. At the end of the day you're still getting screwed and at the same time you're thinking that you're getting even. I don't personally care if the bosses are losing pennies, but I say don't even bother with theft. Let us righteously take the property that the bosses have stolen once and for all.

Ofcourse it will not change something radical (thats why i wrote that in the first post) its just i think its nice that we workers can improve our lifes a little bit, and it would be great if we could break this tabu and start talking with eachother about it. :)

[Delenda Carthago]

I believe in Karma: If I steal from someome, someone will steal from me. In my life, I've actually found this to be true sometimes.

I never "steal" from my college workplace, but I do take what I need for my job (pens, paper, books, etc) Hell, they give me the older editions of textbooks (math, chem, physics,) and I have quite a shitpile of books, which are the "tools of my trade."
if you also believed in marxism,you would know that your boss is stealing from you first,your overvalue of your work...

[stella2010]

http://stealfromwork.crimethinc.com/


Toilet paper

Fruit

Door stops

Rubber bands

Tissue boxes

Soap

Coffee

Milk

Documentation

Plants

Pens

Scissors

Bed sheets

Surgical Equipment

Fridge seals

Screws

Pins

Tacs

Envelopes

Vases

Magazines

Books

Light globes

Filing trays

Extension leads

USBs

White boards

Bin liners
KARDS KEYS KASH

:thumbup1::thumbup1::thumbup1:

[stella2010]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euo7ReNV1zY


TAKE THE POWER BACK COMRADES


:thumbup1:

[Tablo]

I believe in Karma: If I steal from someome, someone will steal from me. In my life, I've actually found this to be true sometimes.

I never "steal" from my college workplace, but I do take what I need for my job (pens, paper, books, etc) Hell, they give me the older editions of textbooks (math, chem, physics,) and I have quite a shitpile of books, which are the "tools of my trade."
You're joking right?

[Ocean Seal]

Ofcourse it will not change something radical (thats why i wrote that in the first post) its just i think its nice that we workers can improve our lifes a little bit, and it would be great if we could break this tabu and start talking with eachother about it. :)
I guess my point was that this might feel like we are making things right when in the end we haven't changed much. These small rewards would make the worker feel like he is beating the system, when honestly, the worker is still losing. I understand the desire to steal from work, but encouraging it just enables the bosses to divide the workers by telling them that the socialists encourage thievery and they would thus keep many workers from joining using the "greedy/lazy" person argument. If the workers are to take back their harvest, they must do so together. They must strike together, they must protest the theft of their harvest together. To succeed they need to be unified, not resent the fact that some of them steal while others do not. We must remember that the entire working class does not see the world with the same eyes as us.

[Ravachol]

I believe in Karma: If I steal from someome, someone will steal from me. In my life, I've actually found this to be true sometimes.

Hate to break it to you lad, but the boss's been stealing from you every single fucking day. Taking back, now that would be 'karma' ;)

[Ele'ill]

Most bosses at food places essentially understand that everyone they're working with (including themselves) are paid like absolute shit. They allow 'food breaks' and to some extent 'beer breaks' (if you work at a place that has a bar). These food stuff items are free of cost and I know they amount to a dollar amount that's laughable but it's the idea that interests me. These breaks are not granted by 'upper management' so it's a petty form of undermining them.

Other than this my opinion is we need functioning work places in order to organize and stealing or encouraging theft creates something a little worse than 'bad habits'-

I do encourage hard work with worker decided breaks- if you consider this down time to be theft- fine- but it's worth it and helps with moral in regards to the people that work together and again undermines (albeit in a petty fashion) a upper level corporate mandate.

[Tablo]

Most bosses at food places essentially understand that everyone they're working with (including themselves) are paid like absolute shit. They allow 'food breaks' and to some extent 'beer breaks' (if you work at a place that has a bar). These food stuff items are free of cost and I know they amount to a dollar amount that's laughable but it's the idea that interests me. These breaks are not granted by 'upper management' so it's a petty form of undermining them.

Other than this my opinion is we need functioning work places in order to organize and stealing or encouraging theft creates something a little worse than 'bad habits'-

I do encourage hard work with worker decided breaks- if you consider this down time to be theft- fine- but it's worth it and helps with moral in regards to the people that work together and again undermines (albeit in a petty fashion) a upper level corporate mandate.
Easting food you make isn't theft though. At least it wouldn't be considered so in a Communist society.

[Ele'ill]

Easting food you make isn't theft though. At least it wouldn't be considered so in a Communist society.


Most food places don't actually 'make' the food. It's bulk that's been purchased by the company. You're eating a portion of their budget- albeit a very small and essentially insignificant amount.

[Klaatu]

You're joking right?

Some life experiences have convinced me of the truth behind "instant karma"

The one I recall most was that, I hung out with a small group of bad kids, back in school (early 1970s) We used to steal from cars, garages, etc.
In high school, I paid a guy to steal a chemistry weighing scale from the school lab, for $20. The new retail cost for the device was $75.

I worked in a gas station at the time. One night, not long after this little deal, I came up about $72 dollars short in my cash drawer. Coincidence? Maybe. Bad Karma? I think so.

I don't steal anymore, since that incident. No one steals from me either. And that's been 35 years. Coincidence? Maybe. Good Karma? I think so.

[Aeval]

Some life experiences have convinced me of the truth behind "instant karma"

The one I recall most was that, I hung out with a small group of bad kids, back in school (early 1970s) We used to steal from cars, garages, etc.
In high school, I paid a guy to steal a chemistry weighing scale from the school lab, for $20. The new retail cost for the device was $75.

I worked in a gas station at the time. One night, not long after this little deal, I came up about $72 dollars short in my cash drawer. Coincidence? Maybe. Bad Karma? I think so.


Bearing in mind all the people who steal loads and get away with it and those who steal nothing and still get a shit ride I'd say coincidence is a little more likely :rolleyes:

[Jimmie Higgins]

It's true that it's a sort of individualist approach to the problem of exploitation at work and that it doesn't do much - if you can organize at your workplace, then that's a much better way to collectivly "steal-back" some of the surplus value your labor adds. It gives you and your coworkers confidence and a voice, teaches your coworkers about solidarity and class-struggle, and is an open challenge to the power of your boss - none of which is accomplished from "covert" and solitary actions.

That being said, since most people - in the US at least - do not have the class consciousness to take collective action in this situation, the fact that so many workers steal (so much that companies actually account for employee-theft in their budgets - not to mention installing cameras at registers) is a good indication of the class anger out there in the workplace.

Also that being said, as far as individualist approaches go, I can't fault workers much for this one. It's much better than say, buying a Prius or being a vegetarian. In fact I wholehartedly endorse it and have been a member of that club to boot!

[Tavarisch_Mike]

It's true that it's a sort of individualist approach to the problem of exploitation at work and that it doesn't do much - if you can organize at your workplace, then that's a much better way to collectivly "steal-back" some of the surplus value your labor adds. It gives you and your coworkers confidence and a voice, teaches your coworkers about solidarity and class-struggle, and is an open challenge to the power of your boss - none of which is accomplished from "covert" and solitary actions.

That being said, since most people - in the US at least - do not have the class consciousness to take collective action in this situation, the fact that so many workers steal (so much that companies actually account for employee-theft in their budgets - not to mention installing cameras at registers) is a good indication of the class anger out there in the workplace.

Also that being said, as far as individualist approaches go, I can't fault workers much for this one. It's much better than say, buying a Prius or being a vegetarian. In fact I wholehartedly endorse it and have been a member of that club to boot!


wow you said what i really ment and the real purpose of the thread, thanks. Since this is something most workers do to improve theire individual needs/desires and it challanges the borgeous idé of property and theft, it would be good if we managed to discuss it more oppenly and eventually organize it! Me and a coworker at my former job made this to a thing and started to plan togheter how we should do it and so.

[Klaatu]

Bearing in mind all the people who steal loads and get away with it and those who steal nothing and still get a shit ride I'd say coincidence is a little more likely :rolleyes:

Maybe, maybe not. It's interesting that you left out the last part of the quote. ;)

[Klaatu]

I don't think stealing is going to advance our cause at all. A worker may feel justified in doing so, but we need to think of bigger things like forming unions, and growing existing ones, forming worker co-ops, writing letters, writing books, getting vocal, organizing rallies, getting to voters, running for political office, starting up lawsuits, preaching sermons in church, and so on. The other side is a formidable enemy.

Do we really want the other side to think of socialists and communists as being the party of theft? That's what capitalists are already known for! I think we are better than they are.

[crashcourse]

I agree with the posters who have talked about the limits of workplace theft, and with the posters who have talked about how there's nothing morally wrong with workplace theft. I want to qualify that, though - it depends on what you steal. I've worked places that had a sort of workplace culture of theft (at one place, after a failed union attempt we just started to drink on the job, stealing our time), that can be a great way to make work more bearable. On the other hand, if someone steals key stuff or just doesn't show or shows up drunk/stoned then another co-worker can get left holding the bag in terms of having more work to do or getting into trouble with management.
I think the celeberations of workplace theft that exist are like the celebrations of that flight attendant who quit dramatically, they're signs of class anger but there's no clear collective purpose to put that anger to. Here I think radicals need to start organizing on the job instead of (or in addition to) stealing from the boss.
One other thing - someone quoted the fine old slogan "direct action gets the goods." I'm for that, but I think we should be clear that as communists we're not primarily about getting "goods" we're about creating a new society. Some elements of or roads to "getting the goods" contribute to a new society, but not all do. As communists, it's the communist content that matters, not the quantity of "goods" gotten.

[Diello]

At my workplace, there's an annual bonus that's subtracted from when inventory "shrinkage" takes place. This way, if you steal, vandalize, or sabotage, the cost of what you've done will actually come out of the pockets of everyone working at the facility. Ingenious, isn't it?

[Volcanicity]

At my workplace, there's an annual bonus that's subtracted from when inventory "shrinkage" takes place. This way, if you steal, vandalize, or sabotage, the cost of what you've done will actually come out of the pockets of everyone working at the facility. Ingenious, isn't it?
Does your boss ever give evidence when something like that happens and how often do they take money from you? Anyway its another fine way for Capitalists to keep the working class in their place.

[Diello]

Does your boss ever give evidence when something like that happens and how often do they take money from you? Anyway its another fine way for Capitalists to keep the working class in their place.

I don't know exactly how it works. I'm just told by management that "shrinkage" is taken out of our yearly bonus.

If I had to guess, I'd say that the losses are just measured in terms of "We had 1,000 of Product X, but now inventory shows we only have 995, so we'll deduct the cost of five of Product X from the annual bonus budget."

[Volcanicity]

I don't know exactly how it works. I'm just told by management that "shrinkage" is taken out of our yearly bonus.

If I had to guess, I'd say that the losses are just measured in terms of "We had 1,000 of Product X, but now inventory shows we only have 995, so we'll deduct the cost of five of Product X from the annual bonus budget."
So basically they pay you a shit wage to begin with,dangle the promise of a bonus at the end of the year,and then not have to pay you the full amount because of whatever excuse they come up with.Robbing bastards.

[Diello]

So basically they pay you a shit wage to begin with,dangle the promise of a bonus at the end of the year,and then not have to pay you the full amount because of whatever excuse they come up with.Robbing bastards.

As a person with no dependents and no major health problems, it's relatively easy for me to survive on what they pay me ($8.65 per hour), but there are other workers who are clearly struggling, not just with the fairly low pay, but also with the inflexibility of the hours. Of course, they will never protest in the presence of management, for fear of reprisal.

Unionization is not something that anyone (except me) is willing to discuss above a whisper; the usual response to any mention of unions is, "Shush! A manager might hear you!" Even the few people who have experience with unions and are in favor of them in general are unwilling to join one here because they know they'd be fired as soon as management found an excuse.

But, anyway, back to the point-- I wouldn't condemn someone at my workplace for stealing. There are around 500 workers here, and even a $100 theft would just mean a deduction of twenty cents per person from the annual bonus. Besides, flouting the rule of management is a great way to raise one's morale.

[Kevin1a]

Most bosses at food places essentially understand that everyone they're working with (including themselves) are paid like absolute shit. They allow 'food breaks' and to some extent 'beer breaks' (if you work at a place that has a bar). These food stuff items are free of cost and I know they amount to a dollar amount that's laughable but it's the idea that interests me. These breaks are not granted by 'upper management' so it's a petty form of undermining them.

This may not be officially sanctioned, and you won't find anything about it in the employee handbook, but in a lot of workplaces it's assumed by management that this sort of thing happens. Employees at movie theaters let their friends in for free, fill up milk jugs with tea and soda to take home. Employees at bars pour themselves drinks when they get off work and the boss has already left for the night. Employees at mechanical companies take hardware and mechanical connectors for use in their own homes and garages. Only an idiot boss wouldn't realize this. Most bosses know this happens, but aren't concerned, because it placates the employees. It's a lot better to sacrifice a tiny little bit of profit and satiate your underpaid worker's anger, than to have them demanding a raise or benefits. This is how region works too. The illusion of change is enough to dull the edge of revolution.

I would like to add "light-bulbs" and "printer paper" to the list of things that can be re-appropriated for home use.

[Ol' Dirty]

From a socialist standpoint, you're not stealing... you're taking back what the company took from you.

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

I'd like to put it out there that stealing isn't necessarily an "individualist" act - groups of folk stealing and sharing can really amass material and free up time necessary to take on bigger projects.

[stella2010]

Like the distribution of wealth.

Informations. Alcohol and whatever it is unto your local community / region that requires peoples input.

In this case I would really stay municipal.

In fact. I'd say your lucky to take on a suit.

[Fulanito de Tal]

Stealing from work could get you in trouble, but you might be able to get a little of your product back outside of work that's in a legal grey area. These suggestions wont do anything for our cause or harm any companies as they'll just adjust their prices to meet needs, but with the right attitude they are fun and you save money.

-When you go to a public toilet, take some extra toilet paper and take some paper towels while you're at.

-At a restaurant? Take sauces, napkins, plastic wear, plates, salt, pepper, etc. Always ask for extra.

-Free samples?? This is my favorite. Take as many until they stop you. To do this, you have get in the right mindset. Understand that belongs to you because somewhere, the mechanism has taken your access to it by exploiting your labor.

-Mail? If you ever find any pamphlets that come with free postage to promote its topic, tape your mail to the inside of the pamphlet and send the pamphlet to the person. Do this only with people you know, not companies. Pamphlet providers can't even complain because you really are promoting their message, even if it's to the same person every time.

I'll post more up as I think of them :thumbup1:

Feel free to add too!

[Apoi_Viitor]

The only free choice is the refusal to pay!

http://www.manics.nl/site/phrases/theonlyfreechoiceisrefusaltopay.htm

[the last donut of the night]

it has its benefits. when i worked at a local rec camp, i used to steal the juiceboxes and snacks all the time

[WendigoGuerilla]

Except for when you steal from a factory or company where it is made into a federal felony if you do..............

[The Red Next Door]

I would probably steal from my boss, but i need money for school supplies; being an art student is expensive especially at my college. where stuff is actually suppose to be cheaper because it a community college. So i would not do it, plus STL and Chicago PSL need funds.

[Ele'ill]

Most of the impulses to steal from work are misplaced frustrations that can be remedied by organizing to some extent. If you're the only one stealing things and you have to do it sneakily around every single one of your fellow workers I see a bigger problem.

[Reznov]

I always like taking pens from everywhere I go. Not sure why, I guess its like a collection of the places I've been to. (Plus, those awesome medical pens you get from hospitals/clinics/walk-in in places are fucking awesome)

Or in school, when whatever military branch is trying to recruit, I always come up and ask for one of their pens (Which are also awesome, the army gives out this black and gold nice ass pen.)

So yeah, am I the only pen thief?

[A Proletarian Manifesto]

I accidentally steal small things like paper or pens and what have you without noticing all the time.
But I will pretty much take anything I know I can get away with.