Government, Crown corporation also taking steps to recover losses from previous employee theft incidents
Two employees at SaskPower have been terminated following separate incidents of employee theft, underscoring the persistent challenge of internal fraud within corporations.
The first incident, spanning from February 24 to August 26, 2025, involved an employee who used a corporate procurement and fuel card for personal purchases totalling $2,216.94. Upon discovery, SaskPower fired the employee.
The Crown corporation was also able to recover the full amount stolen.
The corporation has referred the matter to the police for further investigation.
“Internal Audit provided recommendations to management to adhere to existing policies and conduct proper due diligence,” reported the Crown Investments Corporation (CIC) of Saskatchewan.
Expense system exploited
In the second case—running from March 21, 2023, to July 20, 2025—another employee exploited the company’s expense system by using a procurement card to purchase fuel for trips, while simultaneously submitting mileage expense claims for the same journeys. This double-claiming resulted in losses of $1,114.83.
The employee was also terminated, and SaskPower will attempt to recover the funds. As with the first case, the incident will be reported to police, and recommendations have been made to ensure compliance with the mileage claim process.
The CIC is also conducting a review involving an employee who took time off without submitting the required requests through the system. This led to improper adjustments of absence balances, such as vacation or sick leave, resulting in a loss of $803.51.
While most of the amount has been recouped through balance adjustments, SaskPower is working to recover the remainder and has been advised to reinforce adherence to the time-off request process.
“Internal Audit provided recommendations to management to adhere to the mileage claim process,” said the CIC.
Two in three employees in the United States have confessed to committing at least one type of theft at their current workplace, according to a previous report.
Saskatchewan government’s response to past employee theft
The Saskatchewan government, through its CIC and subsidiary Crown corporations, has also taken significant steps to recover losses from previous employee theft incidents.
Previously, SaskPower lost $7,526.25 in an incident of personal purchases with a corporate procurement card reported between November 10, 2022, and April 2, 2025.
The provincial government has fully recovered the amount.
In another case, from November 2023 to October 2024, an employee misused both a procurement card and a fuel card for personal expenses totalling $19,861.34. The employee signed a promissory note, and repayments of $3,900 have been received to date, with ongoing monitoring to ensure the remaining balance is repaid.
Additionally, SaskPower continues to pursue repayment from a former employee who resigned after using a corporate procurement card for personal purchases amounting to $3,184.83 between March 2023 and April 2024.
SaskPower has lost thousands to employee theft in recent years.
How can employers prevent employee theft?
Employee theft can cause significant financial damage to a business, even more so when it goes unnoticed for an extended period, according to Business Law Southwest.
“The harm goes beyond financial losses as the company’s reputation and brand image could be impacted negatively. Customers may learn of the theft, creating a general distrust in the company’s credibility and may even result in certain customers taking their business elsewhere.”
To prevent employee theft, businesses should adopt a multi-layered approach, according to Case IQ. This includes:
- establishing clear policies and regularly communicating them to employees
- enforcing consequences for violations
- implementing internal controls to monitor activities
- conducting thorough background checks during hiring
- training employees on ethics
- promoting a culture of integrity
- conducting regular audits and inventory checks
- installing security systems
- restricting access to sensitive information or areas
- encouraging open communication and providing anonymous reporting channels for employees to report suspicious behaviour without fear of retaliation
