These frozen yogurt shop robbery prevention tips are provided by Preferred Employers Group, the Preferred Workers’ Compensation Insurance Solution for California Businesses.
Did you know that most workplace violence in California occurs during a robbery? More than half (56%) of workplace homicides occurred in the retail and service industries. Using caution and staying calm can go a long way to protecting you and co-workers from potentially dangerous situations.
BE SURE TO ALWAYS:
- Follow your company’s robbery deterrence procedures.
- Keep back and side doors locked when not in use.
- Stay alert! Know who is in your store and where they are.
- If you think someone is shoplifting, contact security or call 9-1-1.
- Be aware of suspicious activity outside your place of business and report any suspicious person or cars. Don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1.
- Encourage security and police officers to stop by your business.
- Keep purses and personal valuables out of plain sight. Lock valuables in desks or lockers.
- Keep a low balance of money in the register cash drawer.
- Place excess money in a safe or deposit it at the bank as soon as possible.
- If your store is robbed, it’s important to stay calm. Try to handle the situation as if you were making a sale.
- Be cooperative, give the person the cash or merchandise they ask for and do exactly as they say.
- Avoid talking to the robber, except to answer the robber’s questions.
- Keep your hands in sight at all times, move slowly, and explain each move to the robber before you make them. Do not stare directly at the robber.
- Tell the robber if someone is coming out of the back room or working in another area of the store.
- Make mental notes of the robber’s physical description and other observations important to the police.
- If you have a silent alarm and can reach it without being noticed, use it. Otherwise, wait until the robber leaves.
- Stay where you are until you are certain the robber has left the immediate area, then lock the door and call 9-1-1. Do not open the store until the police arrive.
STOP! THINK!
- NEVER chase or follow the robber out of your place of business. Leave the job of catching the robber to the police.
- NEVER use marked “money or deposit bags” that make it obvious to a robber that you are carrying money.
- NEVER leave back or side doors unlocked and unattended.
- NEVER wear your apron, uniform or name tag to the bank. Clothing and uniforms make it easier to identify you when making deposits.
Accident prevention is the responsibility of your Company’s management. The information in this publication should not be considered all encompassing, suitable for all situations, conditions or environments. Every business is responsible for implementing an effective injury and illness prevention program and should consult with legal, technical or other advisors as to the applicability of this information to your business.