Home > Blog > How To Reduce the Risks Of Employee Theft At Your Restaurant
Your employees are the lifeblood of your restaurant. Without their effort and commitment, it would be near impossible to ensure the continued success of your business. So as the owner of a restaurant, and the leader of your employees, you would want to establish trust with your staff and give them autonomy to produce their best work for your business.
Unfortunately, what you may overlook through this rose-tinted lens is a very credible threat to your restaurant – employee theft. In fact, employee theft is more common than you think, accounting for 75% of all inventory shortages and 4% of sales. To make matters worse, about 75% of staff steal from their workplace on at least one occasion.
As you can see, repeated internal theft can be harmful to your business. So how do you balance having adequate security protocols while providing your employees with the trust required to run a successful restaurant in Singapore? If you are scratching your head for an answer, fret not. Read on to learn how to reduce the risks of employee theft at your restaurant.
Tip #1: Get an F&B POS system
How you manage your cash transactions in your restaurant can limit your vulnerability to employee theft. The more intuitive your cash management system is, the more obvious it will be when the register is short. For example, an F&B POS system with the appropriate software can project the expected cash at the end of each business day based on the transactions keyed into the system. As such, it will be immediately apparent to management whenever there is a discrepancy with the recorded cash.
The benefit extends beyond security, as an F&B POS system also simplifies cash management tasks for your staff, enhancing efficiency. It can also prevent order discrepancy and improper billing, which can result in dissatisfied customers. When an employee takes a customer’s order through a handheld ordering device, you can rest assured that the data is sent accurately to the cashier and kitchen staff.
Learn More: A Beginner’s Guide To Restaurant Management Systems
Tip #2: Adjust staff settings and access controls
You should always be aware of which employees have passcodes or keys. After all, the safekeeping of these access control measures is an essential responsibility. However, it is recommended to minimise the number of employees with access to the passcodes and keys to reduce the risk of after-hours crime. And if there is an incident, you can narrow down the pool of suspects to those with access.
You should also consider limiting what your employees can and cannot do when inputting orders and taking payments. For example, a sneaky employee may receive payment for a bill of $100 before voiding the check and taking the cash for themselves. Since the voided check will not show up on the total amount, the POS report total for the day will tally with the amount in the electronic cash register.
An F&B POS system with customisable controls can help avoid such situations. With the option to set up each staff member with specific permissions based on their role, you can enjoy greater oversight. The example shared above can be easily prevented because manager permission would be required to void the check.
Tip #3: Implement an effective surveillance system
Implementing a surveillance system in your restaurant serves as an effective deterrence against brazen criminals. The ideal spot to install the security camera is at the location where your electronic cash register is situated. You may understandably have concerns about how your employees will react, but you can reassure them that the cameras can protect them from wrongful accusations.
If theft were to occur in the workplace, you can immediately get to the bottom of the issue by reviewing the security footage. Remember, reviewing a questionable situation does not have to be done with any level of suspicion. So no accusations should be made until sufficient evidence is collected. This way, you still retain the trust of your employees while maintaining the necessary level of security in your restaurant.
Tip #4: Train employees with security in mind
Alas, it is impossible for you to be everywhere at once. In these moments, your employees are your eyes and ears on the ground. So it is essential to empower them to come forward when they notice any suspicious behaviour. Let them know what you expect from them and whom they can approach if they spot anything suspicious.
Your handling of such situations is also crucial. If your punishment or approach is viewed poorly by other employees, this may discourage anyone from coming forward in the future. Therefore, you must be fair and transparent about how you would like your employees to handle theft reporting.
Now that you have an answer to the question, “How to prevent employee theft”, what is your next step going to be? Remember, by taking proactive steps to minimise internal theft, you are investing in the longevity of your business. And if you do not have one already, an F&B POS system can provide you with greater control and insight into your staff’s actions, serving as a vital tool in employee theft prevention.
If you need help choosing the most suitable F&B POS system for your restaurant, do not hesitate to contact Suntoyo Technology. Our team will be glad to assist you with selecting your ideal system.
