Workplace Safety Tips for Late Shift Workers

The challenges to keeping a fast food worker safe during the late shift are increased due to the increased likelihood of theft or violence during the late shift. Even where no physical injury occurs a worker can suffer prolonged psychological harm from a robbery incident and have a life changing effect on them as well as a negative impact on your fast food workers’ compensation costs. Here are some loss prevention measures to consider:

1. Train Workers: At the very least workers should be trained to be very aware of the customers who come into the store the simple act of greeting and making eye contact can deter a petty thief who does not want to be identified. Finally, no worker should believe that their life is less important than the cash and receipts on premises. Be sure to instruct workers to surrender and hide should they be robbed so as to decrease the likelihood that they are physically attacked.

2. Control Access: we strongly recommend that lobbies be closed by 10pm. In addition, whatever entry and exit ways remain available should be well lit, visible to employee and have camera recording. Not only do you want to control customers entrance and exit but you should also control employee entrance and exit by directing them to cease activities such as delivery to car, trash disposal, and delivery of inventory.

3. Posting: Criminals can be deterred by certain postings including limited amount of cash on premises, camera surveillance, security alarm.

4. Strength in Numbers: Not only should you avoid ever scheduling a worker to work the late shift alone, you should encourage them to ensure that they don't separate. The perception that only one person is working can give possible intruders the perception that your store is a vulnerable target

These three tips can go a long way to keeping workers safe while taking advantage of the increased profitability associated with 24 hour operations.