VTCT - Workplace Security

Workplace Security

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Unit: Security Procedures

Workplace Security

The workplace should be a safe and secure environment. It is place where both staff and customers have to bring personal possessions such as handbags, purses, coats, jackets and sometimes extra shopping items.

Staff should expect all their personal possessions to be kept safe, with your employer providing lockable storage for them during the working day.

Customers will also expect their possessions to be safe while they are undergoing treatment. Environments such as salons, spas and sports facilities have a particular responsibility in the care of client’s possessions as, during treatments or activities, these items are not in the personal possession or view of their owners.

Staff and Client's Personal Possessions

All businesses will have insurance policies in place which stipulate security measures to be carried to ensure that the policy is valid. These will include the need for appropriate locks, the following of security procedures and other reasonable actions. You should never leave the clients, the business or yourself unprotected. Never leave money or valuables unprotected, always follow the business security procedures and always ask for advice from your line manager if you are unsure of anything or anyone.

Any business that gets a reputation for theft will soon have no customers! Remember, security is everybody’s responsibility. As a member of staff you should always be aware of your surroundings. Many businesses are places where the public have access because you want to be available to your clients. However, you must always remember that unfortunately not everyone has honest intentions. You should be aware of where customers are at all times, this is particularly true if certain areas of the business are off limits to the public or only for certain customers for example those undergoing treatments in certain areas.

Staff and Client's Personal Possessions

General measures that would ensure security for possessions for both staff and customers could include the following:

STAFF	CUSTOMERS
All handbags and or purses to be locked away in the storage provided during work hours.	Customers to keep all valuables, handbags and purses with them at all times.
All coats, jackets and personal clothing to be stored in the secure lockers provided during work hours.	If a customer is undergoing a service, the customer’s valuables, handbag or purse can be locked safely away or the room they are occupying can be locked.
Avoid bringing in large amounts of cash to the workplace. If this is unavoidable, ask management to secure in safe during working hours.	The customers coat or jacket can be secured during treatments. Some customers may also have shopping that needs to be secured.
Avoid wearing expensive jewellery during working hours. This is vulnerable to loss or theft, if it needs to repeatedly taken off during treatments.	If a customer has to remove jewellery during a service it must be either kept in the handbag and secured or put in a designated secure place.
All staff should be aware of the company procedures if you are concerned with any suspicious incidents or people on the premises.	Only customer that are undergoing treatments to be allowed into these designated areas.

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