Covert Investigators Can Solve Big Problems, Save Money and Save Lives
Undercover Boss takes role too far
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| http://articles.latimes.com/ |
In an amazing
story of brazenness, it was reported this week that the CEO from the sporting goods chain, Modell’s, himself, was accused of industrial espionage. Mitchell Modell was alleged to have donned a disguise, assumed the identity of a Dick’s Sporting Goods executive, concocted a story and got into restricted, competitive information at a Dick’s store in New Jersey. Competition is a good thing but there are limits.
Covert tools have their uses
Certainly gaining restricted information under false pretenses from a competitor is a no-no. However, what if the undercover operative is working for the company and not against it? Gathering intelligence on internal functions is a common practice. There are numerous “secret shopper” services that go into establishments to evaluate customer service and to weed out corruptible employees. These options provide the business with good intelligence that can generate immediate opportunities for improvement. However, there are limitations to what theses offerings can provide. Some business problems call for something a bit more involved.
Deep cover
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| http://www.mediterraneanvilla.net |
There are times when a business may require hiring an undercover investigator to resolve a problem. These problems often involve drug use on the job or serious cases of employee theft or industrial espionage. When these situations arise, professional investigators are installed in the business to essentially spy on their colleagues and report back to the business what exactly is going on. In addition to this option being effective, it is surprisingly cost effective as the undercover operative is integrated into the workforce and actually performs work for the company.
When drugs are not medicinal
A common reason for deploying an undercover operative is to neutralize a drug problem. Often business must deal lost productivity, accidents, addicted employees, questionable time off, and increased business costs. These problems may be linked to on the job use or even worse - an on the job dealer who has many co-workers addicted. While
drug testing may be an option to help mitigate this type of problem, there are cases where it is not realistic.
How this works
When
undercover investigators are placed into a business, a very small circle of people know about the operation. Typically, this includes one executive and someone in the human resources area who can facilitate the operative’s paperwork. The operative may assume a different name at the job and will have a well rehearsed back story that allows them to enter into the workforce without suspicion. On drug cases, the undercover operative may work with local law enforcement to make controlled purchases of drugs once a dealer has been targeted and his/her confidence is gained. Once the purchase is made, the dealer’s arrest is executed after the operative is pulled out. At that time, the business is usually able to release the dealer from employment.
Outcomes
Certainly the removal of risky employees who cause problems for the business makes good dollars and
sense. But on a more human level this action by a company sends a message that they are genuinely concerned for health and safety of their employees and will do what it takes to protect them and the business from failure.
