Since our Constitution was written in the Enlightenment by followers of Locke, who treasured “Life, Liberty and Property”, if we are accused of theft at work the police and prosecutors will do the job for the employer in this “crime.” The worker faces jail
But if the employer steals from the workers, generally the workers must act in “civil matters” to resolve the “dispute.” The employer might have to pay back what they saved.
European governments were created in the 1800s, when workers were able to get “labor” into the protected list.