My nephew is an off the charts brilliant computer geek.
For years he refused all promotions so he could work by himself on the graveyard shift in a computer center.
He programmed all tasks so they ran without his intervention (without telling the bosses) and then spent the night sleeping or reading or using his cell phone for personal business.
Is that “theft”?
He was such a productive employee they kept trying to promote him.
It is not his fault that his bosses weren’t smart enough to take full advantage of his skills.
Nope, it’s genius.
I had a boss who used to say to find the laziest guy in the office to figure out how to do something, then let the hardest worker do it.
“Is that “theft”?”
It’s not being honest. It’s not making it clear to bosses he had more potential, which they obviously thought since they tried to pormote him but he (nephew) chose to slouch and stay in one position to do personal things on company time.
My understanding is if employee is on the clock they have responsibility to use that time for the company.
I’ll let you answer your question.