Workplace Theft in Rotterdam — How to Act Without Damaging Your Business

Employee theft in Rotterdam — the impact goes far beyond what was stolen

Rotterdam is a port city with a broad economic foundation. From container handling on the Maasvlakte and logistics companies in the Botlek area to retail on the Lijnbaan and professional services around Kop van Zuid — workplace theft occurs across all these sectors, and its impact is often far greater than the direct material loss suggests. It erodes mutual trust, undermines company culture, and can lead to the departure of loyal employees who perceive the situation as unjust.

The legal context is complex. Under Article 7:678 of the Dutch Civil Code, theft can constitute an urgent reason for summary dismissal, but the employer bears the burden of proof. An unfounded accusation can result in a damages claim for manifestly unreasonable dismissal. The Rotterdam District Court rigorously tests whether the dismissal was proportionate and whether the employer acted with due care. This makes objective investigation prior to taking employment law measures not optional, but essential.

Types of theft and embezzlement we encounter

Workplace theft takes many forms. Not all are immediately visible, and some are only discovered when the damage is already substantial. The most common variants in Rotterdam practice include:

• Removal of stock, tools, or materials from warehouses or workshops
• Embezzlement of cash or manipulation of point-of-sale systems in retail
• Submission of false expense claims for travel, costs, or overtime
• Reselling confidential information, client lists, or intellectual property
• Unauthorised use of company resources for private purposes or side businesses
• Theft of fuel or cargo in the transport and logistics sector

Each of these forms requires a different investigative approach. Physical theft typically demands surveillance, while financial embezzlement relies primarily on administrative analysis. The GDPR (AVG) determines which investigative methods are proportionate relative to the suspicion.

How SAJ Recherche investigates workplace theft

SAJ Recherche takes a phased approach to theft and embezzlement investigations, focused on securing evidence without disrupting daily operations. The first phase involves mapping the suspicion, analysing available administrative data, and identifying patterns pointing to irregularities.

Depending on the nature of the theft, the following methods may be deployed:

• Administrative analysis of stock movements, cash register overviews, and expense patterns
• OSINT research to determine whether stolen goods or information are surfacing elsewhere
• Surveillance of the suspected employee, carried out in compliance with the Wpbr and the privacy code of the Dutch Security Industry Association
• Analysis of access logs, CCTV footage, and digital audit trails

SAJ Recherche holds a POB licence and conducts all investigations within the legal framework. The final report is factually substantiated and suitable as the basis for a dismissal procedure at the Rotterdam District Court, a meeting with the employee, or a criminal complaint to the police.

Practical example from Rotterdam

The owner of a hospitality venue on the Witte de Withstraat noticed that revenue was consistently falling short of the number of guests passing through the tills. Internal monitoring could not explain the discrepancy. SAJ Recherche conducted a combination of administrative analysis and discreet surveillance. The investigation revealed that a bar employee was systematically keeping cash payments outside the register system. With the report in hand, the employer proceeded with summary dismissal. The police took up the criminal complaint based on the same evidence.

Act carefully and promptly

When you suspect workplace theft, it is important neither to rush into action nor to wait too long. Evidence can disappear, patterns can be concealed, and the damage continues to mount. A professional investigation provides you with the facts needed to make a well-considered decision without jeopardising your legal position.

Are you dealing with theft or embezzlement by an employee? Get in touch with SAJ Recherche for a confidential consultation.