If you own a small restaurant or shop, how can you make sure your employees will not take merchandise or steal $ from the cashier? Is there a system used by most of franchises? What if you are just a very small business? How to deal with that?
2007-02-11 01:20:42 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
It's called trust. You have to hire good people, and pay them/reward them fairly for thier time. Will people steal? Yup. It's a cost of doing business. Good daily accounting SHOULD indicate when money is vanishing. Some places have close caption video on the cash drawer, so transactions can be watched/video taped. I think these look tackey, and if you treat your employees like you can't trust them, then they will act un trustworthy. Now if you can put up a dome over the register, so they can't see if they are being watched, or the customer, you might be able to use it without turning off employees.
As far as merhandise or food. Give them a food coupon for each 8 hour shift worked, so there is no need to steal to eat - see how swell you are. You're all about the well being of your employees. If you are interested in thier well-being, they will be interested in yours. But there is always a "bad egg" don't let them ruin your faith in your employees, just get rid of them, and recruit someone new into your work family.
2007-02-11 01:34:30 · answer #1 · answered by Robsthings 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I own a country club with a full restaurant and bar. Unfortunately in this business you have everything your employees want/need....food, booze and cash. It's a huge problem.
You need to have systems in place...and let your employees know that you have systems in place ...and that you are watching them like a hawk. I would definitely recommend a computer system along with cameras.
It's a nice theory that you need to hire honest people, but if you are not vigilent and your employees know that you aren't paying attention.... an honest employee can turn into a theif over time. First they steal $5 and don't get caught...then it's $10 and so on....and I have to tell you...it's usually the person you least suspect!
Here are some ideas...
1. Only one person works a cash register during each shift
2. Count down the cash register mid-shift to see if sales match the money in the drawer. If the drawer is over in cash, there is a good chance that a cash transaction happened and was not rung into the computer. Usually when people steal, they will not put the cash in their pocket at the register...they wait until they count down the draw at the end of their shift when no one is around and take out the excess cash at that time.
3. "Salt the drawer" by putting $20 in the register at the beginning of the shift without the employee's knowledge. If the drawer isn't $20.00 over at the end of the person's shift...you have theif.
4. If you notice a lot of "no sales" or returns or voids of items immediately bring these items to the employee's attention and ask for an explanation.
5. You must do a physical inventory of items on a regular basis. Alcohol should be inventoried weekly at the very least. Some establishments do a daily inventory.
6. Match your daily sales for certain items sold against a quick daily phyiscal inventory. For example, do a quick morning inventory of Vodkas then at the end of the day look at your sales to see how many Vodka drinks were sold. If the numbers are way off, you have a problem.
7. Make your bartenders save all empty bottles and do not issue a new bottle unless they have shown you an empty.
8. Make sure if you have a sale that was paid for with a gift certificate, that the actual gift certificate was turned in with the daily receipts at the end of the day.
Over the years, I have caught several people stealing...it's pretty sad...but it's reality.
2007-02-11 15:58:53 · answer #2 · answered by 14b32bbdog 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's common practice to use cameras. Try the honor system with an incentive. Get some of the employees involved in inventory. Have a meeting on the loss of profit for the establishment and discuss for example the cost of a 'missing' box of burger patties. Advise that there will be a monthly employee lunch when inventory and cash is not short. You could offer something else like rotating time off or something.
Good luck.
2007-02-11 09:33:56 · answer #3 · answered by * Shon * 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Dad had a small restaurant with 3 employees. His philosophy was to pay his employees well. If they are getting paid twice as much as minimum wage, then they will be less likely to risk that money by stealing. Also, he had a very low percentage of employees calling in sick because he would fire ones that were out all the time. Most people will work harder and better if you pay them well.
2007-02-11 09:34:33 · answer #4 · answered by my_alias_id 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most business has detailed inventory list and security cameras by kitchen counter, entrance and on register. Finding an honest employee is hard but its not that you can't find one. and if you find one, then keep them happy!
Besides almost every small biz/restaurant has that issue no matter how much security u have. Certain things u need to let go but if it happens then keep the eyes open!
Best advise for you, offer them free or discount on food. help them to adjust their hours when in need. sometimes small help from employer is a big rewards to honest employees.
2007-02-11 09:50:01 · answer #5 · answered by Ted 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is the biggest problem in any business,at the registar,make sure only one person touches it for each shift,have ticket control so you know it really gets to the reg.never let your employees park near the dumpster,you would be surprized at how food can go out with the trash.thats only a start,i have had restaurants for 43 years and i have cought many,be careful who you trust.becareful of employees with backpacks.i could write you a book.good luck
2007-02-11 10:27:59 · answer #6 · answered by granny 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋