Prevent staff theft: Talking Retail's how to guide

It is a sad fact that you cannot trust all of your staff to be honest all of the time.

It is estimated that 25% of all people are permanently dishonest and 50% are honest or dishonest depending on the environment of the store and the opportunities offered. It is therefore up to you to do all you can to ensure that those 50% remain honest. Actionline has some ideas for you to consider:


Staff Selection
Talk to potential employees at the pre-employment stage about security controls which operate in your store. In the terms and conditions of employment there should be a clause stating that employees may be searched when they leave the premises. This is a big deterrent because it weeds out potential thieves.

All employees must be given a thorough background check through CV's and references, particularly for Saturday and temporary staff as they may have less loyalty to your company.


Supervision
Remind staff before they start working for you that they will be well supervised. Potential thieves will realise there will be less opportunity to steal.


Staff Training
Try to get your staff involved in the security of the store. Make sure they know what to do in an armed robbery situation for example. It will show staff that you care for them from a security point of view and this is extremely important. Research shows that employees who feel the company does not care about them will steal from the employer as a way of striking back.


Cash Control
It is often the build up of cash in the till which tempts the employee to steal. Only sufficient cash needs to be in the till to give change of a £50 note. All the surplus notes should be removed.


Collusion
Dishonest employees work with friends and relatives. For example they come into the store posing as customers.


Lead by example
If the staff see a manager or employer carrying out the smallest dishonest act it will encourage them to do the same. Do not set a double standard of moral and ethical conduct.


Security rules
Unrealistic rules and regulations that are loosely administered are more harmful than no rules at all. Enforce your security rules rigidly. Have clear lines of authority and responsibility. Make sure staff know who they are responsible to, who is responsible to them and what they are responsible for. If staff are unclear they will have an indifferent attitude which breeds dissatisfaction and then dishonesty.


Assess each person
Make sure they are matched to their job. Do not place a member of staff in such a position they are forced to cheat or lie about their performance because they are unable to do their work. Lying and cheating is only a small step away from theft.


Prevention
Spell out clearly to all staff what will happen if anyone is caught thieving. This will help employees evaluate the risk if they consider stealing from you.


Care for your staff
If you expect respect from your staff then you in turn must show respect for them. Show a careful interest in your staff as individuals. Staff who feel they are looked after properly at work are less likely to be dishonest.


SETTING UP CONTROLS
Here are some techniques you can use to prevent staff theft:


a detailed check of the cash register till roll will often uncover an employee who is taking the cash out of the cash register when putting cheques in
all retailers should know the average sale per checkout operator particularly in the smaller retail store. This will detect a dishonest employee who is under-ringing.
carrying out spot checks on cash registers will detect a dishonest employee who is taking money from the change float and then making up the amount from ready money sales through the day
Having precise control procedures for all voids will stop employees from preparing fraudulent voids and stealing the equal amount of cash.