Why it is Important to Avoid “The Hook-Up”

As a pawn lending representative with your company, you are given the privilege and trust to loan a large amount of money. This is a huge responsibility, and should be viewed as a show of faith by your company's owner. You need to be aware of external relationships with family and friends that can pressure you into breaching this trust. Poor judgment in this area can, and almost always will, cost you your job and may result in both criminal and civil charges. In these tough economic times, none of us can afford to be unemployed or have a record. It all starts with "The hook-up". So just what is "The hook-up"? It starts at an early age and is almost engrained in us. We want to help those closest to us. In high school, your first job may have been in the mall food court or a local restaurant. What was the harm in giving friends and family a few extra chicken nuggets or "hooking them up" with a free drink? When you would go to see your brother or friend who works at the local clothing store, he or she would "hook you up" with their employee discount. You may have looked the other way when you friends came into your store to "shop" without paying for the merchandise. How many of us worked as store clerks and let our underage friends and relatives buy alcohol? We all want to help our friends and loved ones, but we have to know where to draw the line. Each day businesses lose hard-working, quality employees because the employee misused the power given to him or her by the owner or store manager. Most didn't think about the consequences of their actions. I have investigated and fired many pawn employees who have made decisions, without management or owner approval, to over-loan on pawn merchandise to family members and friends believing that the loans will be picked up or paid back. Others have significantly discounted merchandise for family members and friends or have looked the other way allowing friends to shoplift. Over time the employee begins to be used more and more by those they trusted the most and it is a difficult situation to stop, once started. Bottom line: remove yourself from the situation. Tell those close to you that you can't help them in your store, but your manager or coworker will do all they can, within company guidelines, to get them the cash or merchandise they need. Let them know you value your job and for them not to put you in a situation that could lead to you losing your job or worse. Your true friends and family will understand. Be safe and be profitable.