Lawyer warned about responsibility for stealing food from the refrigerator at work

Stealing food from a shared refrigerator at work can result in administrative or criminal liability, depending on the value of the stolen item. Ilya Vasilchuk, a judicial lawyer, an expert on the security of electronic transactions and real estate transactions, and a public figure, told Izvestia on April 2.

According to him, such actions qualify as embezzlement — the unlawful seizure of someone else's property causing damage to the owner.

"If the value of the stolen food does not exceed 2.5 thousand rubles, we are talking about petty theft. In this case, a fine, administrative arrest, or compulsory labor are provided. In case of repeated violation, the responsibility becomes tougher and may become criminal," the lawyer explained.

Vasilchuk explained that if damage exceeds 2.5 thousand rubles, actions are already classified as theft under the Criminal Code (CC). In this case, a fine of up to 80 thousand rubles, correctional labor or imprisonment for up to two years is possible. If the crime is committed by a group of persons by prior agreement, the punishment can reach five years in prison.

The expert also noted that the employer has the right to dismiss an employee if the theft is proven. CCTV recordings, witness statements, correspondence, and documents confirming the ownership of the products can be used as evidence.

According to the lawyer, if theft is detected, the victim should contact law enforcement agencies, who will check and identify the culprit.

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On March 31, Dmitry Kofanov, a labor law lawyer, told us when a joke in a work chat becomes a reason for a court case. He warned that an unsuccessful joke at work could result not only in dismissal, but also in court proceedings, so it is important to observe subordination. According to him, if a joke violates boundaries and is directed at a supervisor, the employer has the right to demand an explanation, and an explanatory note may be the first step towards disciplinary action.

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