A former warehouse supervisor in Abu Dhabi has been ordered by the courts to repay his employer Dh70,951 after an internal audit revealed a significant shortfall in company inventory. The Abu Dhabi Family, Civil and Administrative Cases Court issued the ruling, holding the employee accountable following a detailed review of company records and evidence submitted during the case.
The employee, who had served the company for over 11 years in various capacities before being promoted to warehouse goods movement supervisor, was responsible for managing stock movement and overseeing inventory levels. According to reports by Al Khaleej, the company initiated an internal audit through a specialized inventory committee, which found that goods worth Dh102,807 were missing from the warehouse.
When confronted with the findings, the supervisor reportedly acknowledged responsibility for a portion of the missing goods, signing a written declaration accepting liability. However, after admitting partial responsibility, the employee left the UAE without settling the outstanding amount, prompting the company to seek legal recourse to recover the losses.
Documents presented to the court showed the employee admitted to Dh26,348 of the inventory shortage. Further review revealed an earlier outstanding debt of Dh44,429, bringing the total owed to Dh70,951. Despite requests from the company, there was no evidence that any repayment had been made.
After considering all the evidence, the court ruled that the former supervisor must repay the entire amount. While the company initially sought 12 percent legal interest, the court decided on a 4 percent annual interest rate, effective from the date the case was filed until the amount is fully paid.
This ruling highlights the legal responsibilities placed on employees, especially those in supervisory roles, to maintain accurate inventory records and safeguard company assets. It serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in the workplace, particularly when it comes to managing valuable goods and resources.
