Final answer:
An employee accused of theft may use the technique of Denial of the Victim to justify their actions if they feel underpaid, or they might Appeal to a Higher Authority by claiming the theft was for a higher purpose, like providing for family. However, adherence to workplace rules is critical to maintain professional standing and avoid both formal and informal sanctions.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an employee is confronted with an accusation of theft at their workplace, such as having a cash drawer short, this presents a serious dilemma that relates to the study of social norms and deviance within sociology. The ways this employee might handle being labeled a thief can vary widely and incorporates several techniques.
One approach is the Denial of the Victim, where the employee might rationalize their actions by thinking they are owed compensation for perceived underpayment, hence justifying the theft. Another is Appeal to a Higher Authority, where the employee could argue that the theft was committed to serve a greater good, such as providing for a sick family member, thus attempting to mitigate the negative perception of their actions.
It is important for an employee to maintain professional behavior in the workplace and adhere to social norms to avoid negative consequences, such as job loss. Breaking these norms can lead to both formal sanctions, such as legal action, and informal sanctions, which include social disapproval and damage to one's reputation.