I don't think the revenge addressed the issue. The lunch thief has an issue in their life that needs to be addressed. Stealing from colleagues is setting yourself up to be caught. There needed to be action taken to identify the thief (yes the Tobasco sauce may have identified the person but it needed to be done in a less painful manner) and address the situation with them. Perhaps the lunch thief could not afford lunch due to extraordinary expenses at home. Perhaps there was another issue going on in their life that precipitated this action. Whatever the reason for their actions it downs not excuse that they have done or lessen the offence. But in learning more about what is leading them to act this way may help them with the situation.
If the person will not change their behavior or seek the required help, appropriate actions such a dismissing them from work should be taken. The employer must protect the employees and ensure their workplace is safe.
The revenge fails to address any aspect of the underlying causes or the safety of the workplace.
Annie - 13 years ago
The thing is this strategy for this exact situation works in real life. My mother worked in schools and there was always a lunch thief amongst the teachers and the solution was the same: tabasco sandwhiches. Perhaps revenge works when the transgressor understands they are busted and their self-interest is involved because there is a consequence for him or her.
I don't think the revenge addressed the issue. The lunch thief has an issue in their life that needs to be addressed. Stealing from colleagues is setting yourself up to be caught. There needed to be action taken to identify the thief (yes the Tobasco sauce may have identified the person but it needed to be done in a less painful manner) and address the situation with them. Perhaps the lunch thief could not afford lunch due to extraordinary expenses at home. Perhaps there was another issue going on in their life that precipitated this action. Whatever the reason for their actions it downs not excuse that they have done or lessen the offence. But in learning more about what is leading them to act this way may help them with the situation.
If the person will not change their behavior or seek the required help, appropriate actions such a dismissing them from work should be taken. The employer must protect the employees and ensure their workplace is safe.
The revenge fails to address any aspect of the underlying causes or the safety of the workplace.
The thing is this strategy for this exact situation works in real life. My mother worked in schools and there was always a lunch thief amongst the teachers and the solution was the same: tabasco sandwhiches. Perhaps revenge works when the transgressor understands they are busted and their self-interest is involved because there is a consequence for him or her.