Restaurant Crime

Be ready for the unexpected

Think Twice

Always do as the intruder commands, and never attempt heroics. He or she could be carrying a weapon. The consequences of you attacking the intruder can cause you life-threatening injury, legal trouble and even the loss of your job.

Restaurants are particularly vulnerable to robbery, burglary and theft. As restaurants typically accumulate a large amount of cash, it makes them attractive targets of criminal activity. A criminal also looks for establishments with late-night hours and easy entry or escape.

If you are working in a restaurant, you need to be prepared to deal with restaurant crime. That’s why it is important for you to prepare now so that in the event that the unexpected happens, you will be able to stay calm and react quickly.

Preventing Theft

The best way to deal with the threat of theft is prevention. Some ways to discourage thieves from attempting their crime are as follows:

·       Greet and make eye contact with every person that enters.

·       If you see suspicious behavior in any area, courteously ask the person if they need assistance.

·       Always show that you are alert and aware of all customer activity by actively moving around the area.

·       During daily operations, cash registers should be inspected regularly to prevent cash buildup above the minimum amount needed.

·       The rear door leading to the trash or waste containers should never be propped open. Always keep back doors locked.

·       Be aware of and report any strange behavior to your shift manager, such as someone loitering on the premises.

General Guidelines

·       If you witness someone attempting to steal something, do not run after the person or try to intervene. Attacking the person could mean harm to you.

·       In the event of a robbery, do as the intruder commands. Speak slowly and calmly to intruders, and don’t make sudden or unexpected moves.

·       Study the suspect carefully, noting facial features, height, clothing, etc.

·       Do not follow the thief outside. The possibility of causing harm to innocent bystanders escalates in this situation.

·       Call the police and notify your manager of the situation as soon as possible.

·       If an intruder threatens you, comply with all of his or her demands. Your well-being is much more important than anything that [C_Officialname] might lose.

Know Who to Contact

·       The phone numbers of local authorities are listed near all phones on the premises for quick access.

·       Call the police as soon as possible, preserving any evidence left at the scene by the suspects, such as robbery note, objects handled, etc.

Protecting Patrons from Identity Theft

Keep customers’ personal information safe

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America today, according to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Stay alert for potential fraud risks at all times when handling customer information.

Identity theft is very common at restaurants, and thieves are finding more ways than ever to obtain personal information. Any time a patron makes a purchase, they are trusting  you with sensitive information, and it is the restaurant’s responsibility to protect that information.

It is important that you do your part when handling sensitive client information, such as credit card receipt information. This includes taking internal security measures to ensure customer information is shared only with necessary parties.

Register

If you work at a register, it is important to follow these guidelines so that sensitive information is kept secure:

•        Never leave receipts where anyone can find them.

•        When you step away from your register, always “lock” the screen.

Credit Cards

When accepting credit or debit cards as a form of payment, be sure to verify the identity of the customer, either through their signature or asking for further identification.

Customer Contact

Only gather personal customer information through company-approved channels. Follow company policies to verify the identity of the customer when giving out or changing any personal information. Use discretion when offering or receiving personal information over the phone – this is a common way for thieves to commit identity fraud.

When processing a customer transaction in front of other clients, make sure that you are protecting the customer’s information. Do not read off any personal data and keep your screen turned so that no one else can view it.

Paperwork

Be sure to keep all receipts, invoices and other records secure – do not leave such paperwork lying around. When disposing of materials containing personal information, use the paper shredder or secure recycling container.

Above all, be aware of the potential for identity theft when handling personal data. If you are suspicious of a transaction or conversation you are having with a patron, follow your instinct and pursue further verification before proceeding.

Talk to your shift manager if you have a question about procedure or need assistance with a particular transaction. If we all do our part, we can keep our customer’s personal information safe.

First week of National Food Safety Month focuses on personal hygiene

Posted by Annika Stensson on September 4, 2012 11:35 AM

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) provides free, weekly training materials for restaurant employees as part of its National Food Safety Month (NFSM) campaign this September. The training sessions, designed to be completed in 10 minutes, focus on key issues tied to this year's "Be Safe, Don't Cross-Contaminate" theme.

Week one focuses on personal hygiene, including correct hand care, cleanliness and work attire. A free poster and activity sheet are available in the "Activities" section of FoodSafetyMonth.com.

All NFSM training materials are available in English and Spanish.

NFSM highlights components of the NRA’sServSafe® Food Safety program – the leading source of food safety training and certification for restaurant and foodservice industry professionals for nearly 40 years, with more than 5 million certifications issued. Because ServSafe is developed by the NRA, proceeds go toward helping improve the foodservice industry through research and education.

To read more please click the link below.

First week of National Food Safety Month focuses on personal hygiene