Phoenix Locksmith Business Tips
Protect Your Business

Prevent Internal Theft

Employee theft is very common. Retail studies have shown that more than 33% of all company theft is done by employees. Here are some useful tips to control internal theft.

Track Your Cash

• Assign one team member in charge of setting up the cash drawer, and make them responsible for it. No one else should be allowed to open or use another's cash drawer or register.
• At the end of each shift, count the money in the drawer and verify it is accurate.
• Never leave a register unlocked or open.
• Never leave a key in the register.
• Managers should sign off all voided receipts and refunds.
• Limit the amount of cash in a register and start each shift with a set amount. When cash exceeds a set amount, you a drop safe to secure the money.

Protect Your Documents

• Shred all sensitive material including customer lists, price lists, medical receipts, invoices, computer output, and documents with signatures.
• Never leave customer credit numbers in unsecured locations
• Require that all desks be cleared of important paperwork at the end of a shift.
• Require that all file cabinets remain locked.

Corporate Policies

• Background check and drug screen all job applicants. Consider using tests that identify personality traits, such as ethics, during the interview process.
• Adopt a strict code of conduct for employees. Make all employees aware of it and obtain their signature confirming their understanding of the policy.
• Inform employees about internal security measures, e.g., surveillance and inventory checks, and the likelihood and consequences of being caught stealing. Many employees steal because they think they can easily get away with it.
• Require that employee's personal property and any store purchases be kept in employee lockers during working hours.
• Track employee access with Access Control and time sheets. Only allow employees onsite when on duty.

Track Your Product

• Run inventory checks often and investigate discrepancies.
• Put electronic locks on inventory rooms using pin or proximity card access so you can track who has entered and when.
• Create ID badges to identify employees vs visitors and customers.
• Have all visitors in restricted areas be escorted out.

Track Keys and Establish Key Control

• Keep key copies in a locked cabinet, room, or safe.
• Put your doors on a master key system. This will allow only people to access rooms that they have a need to enter and restrict them from rooms that they do not.
• Issue as few keys as possible. Access control systems are ideal for this. You can issue PIN codes instead of keys and readily change them as needed.
• Use keys that are stamped "Do Not Duplicate" of "Do Not Copy". High-security keys are even better. High security keys can only be copied by the locksmith that issued them and they will require a managers signature and identification to get copied.
• Stamp keys with numbers and track who they are issued to. Stamping can help prevent copies. If you get a non-stamped key back, something's up.
• Require departing employees to turn in all issued keys. If a key is not returned, get the locks that the key works rekeyed to work with a new key.