Home | Business | Retailing

Curbing Violence in the Retail Industry

Workers in the retail industry experience more cases of violence than do workers in many other types of work. There has to be a system in place to ensure your and your employees well being if you or your employees work alone. Such a system must include check-ins at designated time intervals and provisions for emergency rescue if it is ever needed. Whether you work alone or not, there are several potentially dangerous situations that can arise in the workplace. A bit of caution can go a long way to protecting you and your employees in these circumstances.

If employees or you are required to work alone someone should contact you regularly to make sure you’re okay. Keep an emergency phone handy and make sure to do not open back doors and leave them open and unattended. If possible do not empty the garbage at night, especially if the dumpster is in a secluded spot or back alley. Always give a friendly greeting to anyone who enters the store to make sure they know that you know they are there.

In the retail industry, it is almost inevitable that you will have to deal with an irate customer at some point. You or your employees in dealing with these customers will need to focus on the emotions first, try to remain calm, and try to calm the other person. Try to avoid escalating the situation; find ways to help the irate customer save face. You or your employees will need to listen carefully and try to put yourself in the customer’s shoes, so you can better understand how to solve the problem. If you or your employees can’t address their concern, take the customer’s name and number and promise to forward the information to your manager or supervisor. (If you are the owner, it is always a good idea to come up with a factious supervisor name; this will allow some cooling down on the customer’s behalf) If you cannot calm the person, call your emergency phone number or alarm.

If possible, avoid making night deposits. If night deposits are required, vary the time of the deposit and avoid making these deposits alone. Take a lesson from companies that service ATMs, have your partner face the other way to keep an eye on what is going on around the depository. Put in place procedures to handle these occurrences and any others that fit your situation.

Article Source: http://www.noviceinvesting.com/Article

Brent Bowlin is a health and safety researcher and has helped small businesses with their health and safety issues. He can be contacted at abbsafetynet@gmail.com. For safety supplies visit www.safetysuppliescanada.com they deliver anywhere.
Submitted by: Free Article Submitter