Theft in the store: how not to break things and invite troubleYou're standing at the checkout, and suddenly you catch a glimpse of a familiar face. A regular customer, the one who always greets and smiles, is stuffing a bar of chocolate or something more expensive into his pocket. Or not chocolate at all, but something more valuable. Or simply not scanning the item at self-service. What to do? Call the police? Try to talk to him yourself? Ignore? Each of these options has its own pitfalls. A mistake can cost you not only your job but also your nerves, and in some cases, even your safety. Let's analyze the situation without panic but with a cool head.First reaction: do not succumb to emotionsThe most difficult thing in such a situation is not to let emotions take over. The first instinct is to grab his arm, start a shouting match, or humiliate him. This is understandable: you feel deceived, maybe even insulted. But this is the worst thing you can do. In the heat of the conflict, you risk not only hearing rudeness in return but also provoking aggression. A thief, especially if he is a regular customer, can be unpredictable. He may get scared and run away, he may start denying or, worse, become aggressive. Your task is to maintain control over the situation, not over your emotions. Therefore, the first step is a deep breath and mental disengagement.It is important to understand that you are not a police officer or a detective. Your job is to serve customers and maintain order in the store, not to catch criminals. Therefore, do not take on the functions of law enforcement authorities unless it is provided for in your job description and you have special training.Gathering information: facts, not assumptionsBefore acting, make sure that you really witnessed the theft and it was not just an illusion. Recall or, if possible, review the camera recording. Fix in your mind or write down what exactly the person took, where he hid it, how it looked. It is important to understan ... Read more