What employees should — and should not — do during an incident
June 24, 2026
Staff freeze when there is no plan. A short written response guide protects people first and property second.
People first, always
No stock, cash, or equipment is worth an injury. Every response plan we write starts with that sentence, and staff are told it out loud during training.
Employees should not chase, confront, block exits, or attempt to detain anyone. Their job is to stay safe, observe, and report.
Observe and report
Teach staff to note time, direction of travel, clothing, and any vehicle details — those are what investigators actually use.
Have one written incident form. Fill it in immediately while details are fresh, and keep a copy on file even for minor events. Patterns only show up when small incidents get recorded.
Afterwards
Decide in advance who calls police, who calls the owner, and who speaks to customers. Deciding during an incident wastes the minutes that matter most.