Will Seasonal Workers Increase Shrink Rates this Holiday Season?

Did you catch the Newsletter from Loss Prevention Media: Will Seasonal Workers Cause Your Shrink Rates to Rise this Holiday Season?

If you’re in a pinch, we’ve highlighted our favorite parts directly from the article here; But we recommend you read the full article from their Newsletter too!

Less loyal workers are more likely to steal, making part-time seasonal hires a risk that needs attention.
Seasonal workers are, by definition, less attached to their employer. And workplace research shows that the less tenured employees are more likely to steal. Loss due to shrink grows right alongside the use of short-time and part-time employees.

Develop a set of standards investigating temporary hires

If you are using a temporary agency to hire seasonal workers, conduct random spot checks of new hires to ensure the background check was done in accordance with established protocols.
Include measures of personal ethics and need for social approval and then focus on applicants who are high and low on these scales, respectively. It may also be wise to avoid job applicants who score at the very high end of the risk-seeking scale.

Limit the opportunity to steal

Restrict access to stockrooms, alarm codes, cash, business checks, computerized records, and keys to company vehicles.
Require the breakdown of trash cartons to prevent the hiding of stolen merchandise in store trash.
Secure the damaged-merchandise case, inspect trash, check for propped-open doors, and conduct bag checks.

The Threat of Identity Theft – Protect Sensitive Information

Enforce a comprehensive information security policy that includes responsible information-handling practices for employee, customer, and other sensitive business records.
Train employees with access to sensitive information on how to keep it secure.
Store paper documents (and files, zip drives, etc.) in a locked room or file cabinet
During security rounds, confirm hard-copy personnel and customer files are under lock and key.
Enforce key controls and implement appropriate building access control.
Enforce information disposal practices that are reasonable and appropriate to prevent unauthorized access to PII.

Train Employees

Make new hires should aware of policies that outline employee responsibilities, standards of honesty, and general security procedures and the consequences for not following them.
Make sure all new employees read the security policy, understand it, and sign it as a condition of employment.
Provide simple instructions that can assist shoplifting prevention, such as to “provide helpful customer engagement.” Just getting them to say hello can both improve the experience of honest shoppers and discourage shoplifting.

How Can Sapphire Risk Help?

Tony Gallo and the team of experts and consultants at Sapphire Risk Advisory Group have worked to secure medical marijuana and recreational cannabis businesses in 36 states. Follow us on social media to stay up to date with more security best practices and cannabis industry updates!