Finally, the busy season is upon us! This means additional employees on staff, increasing your inventory with additional retail items, and the best part – more guests walking through your doors! Although salons are usually located in a shopping center, it is important to remember that no business is susceptible to crime. It would be nice to be able to assume, “My business won’t get robbed, my customers won’t steal, the staff won’t cheat”, but many times after the holidays, crime rates increase.
Most salons keep retail items in displays at the front of the store, which often include lotion, clothing and accessories. As your staff is cleaning the tanning equipment or walking a guest to their tanning room, who is watching over the retail? If you can’t have multiple employees on shift, then you should consider surveillance cameras. If someone does steal some retail items, you can easily view it on camera. You might be surprised at what you’ll see!
To help prevent robbery after hours, put retail items out of sight so that they don’t tempt potential thieves. Obviously, it would be difficult for someone to steal your tanning equipment. Burglars are typically looking for easy cash, electronics and other retail items they can resell. Most salons keep cash up front or locked in a safe in the back, so make sure your insurance policy covers Theft of Money and Securities. Theft of Money and Securities coverage is designed to protect against loss of money and securities resulting directly from theft and/or any act of stealing, disappearance and/or destruction. It can also be extended to cover money away from your premises, such as when you or your staff take it to the bank.
Installing a central station alarm system and/or video surveillance cameras are easy and inexpensive ways to decrease the chance of a break-in or may at least reduce the amount of damage done. Remember to include the step of turning the alarm ON and OFF in your salon operation manual as part of the opening and closing procedures. Use the stickers that the alarm companies give you to put on your front door or window; many times, the stickers alone will deter potential criminal activity.
So often, we hear, “I’ve known all my employees for years and I trust them. Do I really need Employee Dishonesty Insurance?” It would be great if all staff were trustworthy and employee theft never happened. These are the salon operators who may shy away from purchasing Employee Dishonesty coverage. Unfortunately, as peer pressure, debt, or other various personal problems increase, people become desperate. When employees are dishonest, it usually takes quite a while before their actions are discovered. This coverage should be included in your insurance portfolio and is reasonably priced, considering it should give you some peace of mind.
Hopefully, these tips and appropriate insurance coverages can help guard your business against potential loss. Business insurance is a crucial step, but not all accidents are covered under your business policy. Make sure your staff locks up their belongings and your guests don’t leave things behind in the tanning rooms, as a business insurance policy is not meant to address loss of a tanner’s or staff member’s personal possessions.
For more risk management techniques, contact your specialized insurance agent.
