Shoplifting & Robbery at Work (page 1 of 2)	
Shoplifting & Robbery at Work	
Jobs most affected by shoplifting and robbery are work sites that deal with money 
and customers such as retail stores, restaurants, grocery stores, banks,
 and theaters.
Shoplifting:  Tips for Workers
Traits of shoplifters:  a) act nervous and avoid eye contact; b) wander around 
store without buying anything; c) leave store and soon come back; d) s
tay in ares 
of store where they are difficult to see; e) look around to watch workers.  
Discourage shoplifters:  a) Greet customers who enter store.  b) Ask customers if 
they need help.  c) Make friendly eye contact with customers.  d) Keep
 store's 
products neat and organized.  Messy product displays make it easier to shoplift. 
If you suspect someone is shoplifting:   a) Do not be a hero; your life is worth more than money.  b) Do 
not chase the suspect since this can lead to violence.  Employers may fire a worker who chases a shoplifter 
since this is a dangerous action  c) Do not accuse suspect of stealing 
or try to stop the suspect from 
leaving.  d) Stay at least arm's length away from the suspect.  e) Giv
e the suspect a chance to pay or put the 
item back.  If you are sure the suspect has the item, you may politely s
ay, "Are you ready to pay?"  f) If you 
feel frightened, calmly walk away to quietly get help from your supervis
or or nearby worker.  g) Observe 
suspect's height, weight, hair, features such as tattoos, clothing, and footwear.  
Robbery: Tips for Workers
If you find yourself a robbery:  a) Play it safe; do not be a hero.  b)  Stay calm.  
c) Avoid eye contract with the robber.  d) Obey robber's instructions; give the 
money; do not resist.  Keep it brief and smooth just like a normal trans
action 
because  the longer the robbery takes, the more nervous robber will get.
  e) Do 
not surprise the robber with sudden movements.  Keep your hands in sight
 and 
do not make any sudden moves.  Let the robber know if you have to reach 
for 
something that is requested.  f) Speak only when spoken to.  If you don
't 
understand what robber is telling you, ask for clarification of robber's directions.   
g) Think that there is a weapon even if you cannot see one.  h) Silently, without 
staring, remember robber's description, especially scars or tattoos.  i)
 Do not 
lock doors to keep the robber from leaving.  A trapped robber may panic and 
become violent.  j) Activating the silent alarm if it is safe for you to do so.
After the Robbery:  Tips for Workers
a) Do not chase the robber.  Companies have insurance that will replace the money or 
stolen goods.  You do not need to worry about it.  b) Remember vehicle used and 
direction of travel.   c) Keep workers and customers out of the area an
d protect any 
areas that may contain robber’s fingerprints.  d) Lock the store if possible.  e) Do not 
discuss details of a robbery with anyone until after police have taken s
tatements from 
witnesses.  f) When police arrive, wait for police officer's questions.  Listen to each 
question, and answer as best you can.  Instead of the witness telling th
e story, police 
prefer to question witnesses separately in order to find out valuable details and correct story of the robbery .

Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.  	Shoplifting & Robbery at Work (page 2 of 2)	
QUICK CHECK:
1.  List 5 work sites that are most affected by 
  shoplifting and robbery.
2.  List 3 traits of shoplifters.  
3.  List 3 ways to discourage shoplifters. 
4.  What makes it easier to shoplift?  
5.  a) List 3 "do not" rules to follow if you suspect 
shoplifting.  b) Why do some employers fire a 
worker who chases a shoplifter?
6.  a) List 5 things to do if you find yourself in a 
robbery.  
7.  a) Why should you keep it brief and smooth?  
  b) What should you think?
8.  After a robbery:  a) Do not what?  b) Remember 
what?  c) Keep workers/customers out of where?  
How to Prevent Robberies: 
1) Use money drops.  Cash register full of money is an invitation to 
be robbed.  Never have over $100 in the cash register.  To keep register 
clear of excess money, install a money drop.  Money drop is a safe that 
lets workers place money into it, but not take money out, since the safe
 
can be opened only by a supervisor.  
2) Good lighting.  Robbers like dark places.  Well-lit store and parking 
lot discourages theft.  Customer counter and cash register area should 
be lighted so people walking or driving by can see the counter from the 
street or parking lot.  Robbers do not like to rob cash registers that p
eople outside the store can see.
3) Security system.  Security systems can:  a) Cause alarm to sound when a store is broken i
nto at night.  
b) Turn on lights and call the police.  c) Take round-the-clock videos of the store.  Security system needs a 
panic button placed where the button can easily be reached by workers to
 silently call police.  If there is no 
security system, police suggest that the store "fake it" by installing v
ideo camera near the ceiling to give the 
illusion of surveillance. 
4) Use the Buddy System.   Always use two or more workers to work together in the store.  Robber is
 less 
likely to approach worker who has a coworker nearby.  If your supervisor will not schedule two workers for 
each shift, and your store is at risk — think seriously about changin
g jobs for your safety.  
5) Prepare.  Mark store’s doorways with height markings of 5 feet, 5 feet 5 inches, and 6 feet t
o help 
measure the robber’s height when he or she walks out the door.  Keep counters, glass doors, and door's 
handles very clean to help get a clear set of fingerprints.  Robbers prefer dirty stores.
6) Meetings.  Four times a year, supervisors and workers should meet to discuss robbery prevention and 
what workers are to do if a robbery occurs.  Invite the police to the me
eting to offer tips for keeping your 
work place safe, and the latest shoplifting and robbery crime news in yo
ur city.
d) Lock what?  e) What do police prefer? 
9.  a) What is invitation to be robbed?  b) What is a 
money drop?  c) Only who can open it? 
10.  a) List 2 areas that should be well lit to prevent 
robbery.  b) What do robbers not like to rob?
11.  List 3 things a security system can do.
12.  What do police suggest to do if the store has no 
security system?
13.  What is meant by "buddy system"?  
14.  If your supervisor will not schedule 2 workers 
for each shift, about what should you think?
15.  List 2 important things to do to prepare the store.
16.  What needs to be done 4 times a year?  
17.  Extra Credit: Invite a police officer to your class 
to discuss what you can do during a robbery, and 
crime news in your community.