Question

An individual who works at a bookstore routinely takes home ballpoint pens and post-it notes, uses the copy machine to make personal copies, and makes long-distance phone calls on the store's line. however, he would never consider stealing money from the cash register, even if he knew he could get away with it. what is this attitude called?

Answer 1

This attitude is called cash register honesty.

The book store worker knows very well that ball point pens, post-its, copies on the copier machine and long-distance phone calls are office resources and should, in principle, be used only for office purposes.

He is also aware that the he is responsible for his own needs - be it post-its or long-distance phone calls.

By taking some small supplies home or using the office equipment for personal use (e.g. making personal copies or making personal long-distance phone calls), he increases the cost to the company.

Yet, he continues to indulge in the activities described in the question, because he believes, at a personal level, that he can get away with it . (It's okay with him at a personal level.)

However, since stealing from the cash register is not ok with him on a personal level, he doesn't do it even though he knows he can get away with it. This attitude is called cash register honesty.