Thief Manager Didn’t Break Any Rules

I live out of town and usually buy groceries when I go in to work. If I buy cold stuff, I usually leave it in the bag, tie the bag at the top, and put the bag in the back of the fridge. My manager does the exact same thing with her groceries.

When I go home, I peek in the bags to make sure I’m only taking my groceries. Makes sense, right?

I think my manager left with my groceries yesterday. They were gone when I checked inside the fridges, and today my manager laughed and said “Thanks for the yogurt.” I kindly asked for my yogurt and wine back. It was $43. She kept laughing.

I pinged an HR consultant who told me “sorry for your loss” and that $50 is the threshold for a workplace theft violation. All I can do is try to get her to reimburse me and not keep groceries in the fridge. I asked if she steals $10 more of my groceries, could she be disciplined? HR said it has to be at the same time.

I’m actually really mad about this. Should I try to take less than $50 from her?