Topic: Has anyone had this happen......

The other day, I had a theft on my property.... My maintenance manager set his tools down at the end of his day on a table in my community room. UNDER VIDEO MONITORING. He came to my office a few feet away to ask me something and clock out; which took all of 5 minutes. When he returned, his tool bag was missing. We reviewed the video and sure enough, someone had walked in and walked right out with it....

Has anyone had to deal with this? What did you do to resolve it? These were his personal tools valued at $600+ and he needs them to do his job.

Unfortunately, I have dealt with this exact situation. First of all, does your Company have any Policies & Procedures that were implemented that might address this issue? If not, then the decision would be a judgement call you would need to make. While the tools are considered personal property and liability would be that of the maintenance manager, I would evaluate the situation with a level of sympathy and understanding as this incident occurred in a short amount of time and without negligence. In my personal experience, I contacted our Risk Manager and requested that the tools be reimbursed, if not in full, at least 50%. My maintenance manager was amazing, not reimbursing or assisting him with the expense he would incur, would only upset him further and could result in a disgruntled employee that may simply resign. $600 would not make up for losing a maintenance person, having to rehire, interview and train, not to mention the negative impact to your team's overall moral. The tools are being used for property related tasks, there was no malicious intent nor negligence, and if this is someone you respect as a valuable team member, paying the tool reimbursement is the best way to go!

I had a similar incident happen at one of my communities. Someone actually stole the entire golf cart with 2 technicians tools on it. We were able to recover the cart, but not the tools. I had each tech make a list of what was lost, and purchased replacements through our wholesale vendor. After all, they can't do their jobs without tools!

Unfortunately theft happens every where.:( If the maintenance person has renters or homeowners insurance, the loss maybe covered.

I hope the perpetrator is caught! The company I work for has a very strict policy about keeping tools secure, both property owned and personnel owned. My maintenance tech knows he can't afford to replace his tools so he's very good at following the policy.

I agree though, that it would be much more cost effective to replace the tools than to replace the employee.

I agree with everyone that has commented; thank you.

However, there is a HUGE difference between what I WANT to do (replace the tools or reimburse the cost of them) and what I CAN do..... At over $600, I simply don't have the cash flow for it. I have filed a police report and an incident report. I did get my district manager involved and we will probably replace the tools; but I do not know how we are going to finance this.....

Johnny--I totally understand a lack of cash flow (as well as a company policy--if you make an exception for one maintenance tech have you just rewritten your policy?) Have you considered approaching your vendors? Often they have some funds set aside for 'public relations' work. I don't know how many units you represent but talk with some of your vendors and see if you can get some donations. (This might be a better call from your District Manager--because s/he represents more units and therefore more potential future sales.) It's your vendors opportunity to give back. Also--offer to put a special 'Thank you' in your community newsletter or Facebook page as well as in your company updates/newsletters/bulletin boards, etc. This is your way to give them outlets in which to share their charity.

Good luck!

Johnny--

God bless you for continuing to work at this community for this owner. To the extent that a mere $600 cannot be proffered to take care of a good employee, I would say you have bigger challenges than a simple theft. There must be some real compelling reason for you to work there.

First of all, I am a 2-man show.... myself and my maintenance guy. Property is 66 units and is tax credit for low income. I have no household with MORE than $25000 in annual income. All single person households, with a handful of 2 person households. I have ONE vacant unit (with an application pending) and 5 more vacancies pending (4 of these are in legal for nonpayment). Since I stepped in LAST October, I have done 42 move ins and have moved out most of my 'problem children'.

We are going to be replacing his tools, but need to do it a little at a time and my maintenance guy understands that. He also understands the difference between what I WANT to do and what I CAN do.

Johnny,

Touching story. And, I see a compelling reason to work here. It is a mission as much as anything else. Please send me your property name/address, I would like to make a contribution toward replacing your fellows tools. (low-income housing providers have a soft spot in my heart, you really help people that need help and in my opinion, is really, really useful life work)

Johnny,

OMG. I agree with Robert completely. Where is your property located and would you mind posting a list of tools that are in need?

Thank you.

Here's my thoughts~~let's approach Wilmar and HD supply and see if the would be willing to donate some of the tools! I have worked small tax credit properties and there truly is no extra money!! Johnny, if you post a list of the tools, I will make some calls! Let's do this!!

I appreciate the concern; for those that expressed interest in assisting me; email me off board at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..