WIBU to report this?

[TentativeWhistleBlower]

Staff member in my workplace is claiming full jobseekers while working. Not many hours, so would still be entitled to some benefits, but not the amount they are currently claiming. They are potentially claiming other things as well.

Back story is this person is a thief. And apparently it is almost impossible to catch a thief and sack them for it. Person takes from tips that have been left out on top of till, so no evidence to how much was there in the first place, bit staff members are ending up losing money. Nothing major, but £2 here, a fiver there all adds up.

Multiple staff members have taken this to our manager, who basically doesn't want to get involved.

I feel so angry that this person has been doing this for years, everyone knows, but there's apparently nothing anyone can do about it.

So if I can't get her pulled up for stealing my tips, then surely it's not being a grass to get her pulled up for stealing from the taxpayer? Or would I just be a petty grass?

Have name changed for this because I don't want this to be led back to me at all.

[BubblegumPie]

How well do you know her? Do you even know this is true?

[TentativeWhistleBlower]

I know from a mutual friend (well friend of mine, long term family acquaintance of hers) that she definitely claims jobseekers. Not sure about anything else though, but it is likely however.

[anonymosity]

CCTV? Surely that can spot the tip thieves?
I wouldn't grass on her. It may not be true and it may lead to a very stressful investigation for her.
If you don't like her, just avoid her instead of thinking up spiteful ways to get back at her for imagined resentments.

[IneedAgoldenNickname]

Does she work less than 16 hours? Because I thought you could still claim js if that's the case.

Happy to be corrected if I'm wrong though.

[WhereYouLeftIt]

"Multiple staff members have taken this to our manager, who basically doesn't want to get involved."
And I'd report him to whoever he reports to! It's his job to get involved.

[HoHoHoNoYouDont]

It's a tough call deciding whether or not to report a suspected Benefit cheat. I know, I've been close to doing it myself a couple of times. I think unless you know this person's personal circumstances really well then best leave well alone. They could be struggling hence the tip money going astray. Now I know that is no excuse for theft but this person could be really desperate and a benefit investigation could be the worst thing ever for them.

On the other hand she might well be a skank benefit cheat!

It's your call at the end of the day.

[sneezingwakesthebaby]

How on earth do you know she gets the full amount? You say yourself she doesn't work many hours and you only know through a friend that she even claims JSA. If you work under so many hours (16 I think like a pp said), you still receive some JSA.

I think YABU to report her.

[TentativeWhistleBlower]

Natasha that would be seen as laying a trap which isn't allowed. It's a ridiculous system.

Even if all that happens is an investigation, it might make her think twice about what she can and can't take.

Tips are left on top of the till in glasses, to gather through your shift if you do t have pockets. They are then usually taken home at the end of the night, but can easily be forgotten. Staff keep their own tips so its not like a joint pot that she's dipping into.

No CCTV behind the bar so wouldn't see anything on that.

[sneezingwakesthebaby]

If anything, it will make her more likely to steal the tips if the investigation affects her benefits for a while as she will have less money coming in.