While it is important to build a program that creates an atmosphere of honesty and integrity, it is just as important that the program recognizes dishonest and unethical practices that may cause detriment to the company, its employees and affiliates. This is where loss prevention comes into play. The Mershimer Group has decades of loss prevention management experience in every industry and business type.
With an international team of auditors, private investigators and contractors throughout our LP system who have passed a battery of screenings in order to work with our clients, we have the utmost confidence that we can provide you with the best knowledge of loss prevention programs tailored to fit your business.
We have led and designed loss prevention programs for some of the world’s most recognized brands. We like to build a program with a client, not for them. This teamwork approach ensures the happiness of the client and the overall success of the program. The Mershimer Group likes to build, implement and measure each of its programs, so that there isn’t a laundry list of things for the client to complete.
Our loss prevention outsourcing typically involves many of the following ongoing components for a monthly fee, which includes most expenses related to the program:
- Loss Prevention Meetings are meant to raise employee awareness and to learn about loss prevention strategies, create a safer work environment, review recent audits and loss prevention standards. It gives The Mershimer Group some face time in your location to answer any questions employees may have, coach them on specific company loss prevention standards, etc.
- Loss Prevention Audits – The Mershimer Group has specifically trained auditors that look at a client’s operating procedures and evaluate it based on a checklist of policies and procedures set forth by the client. The Mershimer Group can help a client build an audit and set up loss prevention policies after the audit has taken place. During Loss Prevention awareness meetings, The Mershimer Group will be able to go over the audit with the staff, explain how it affected the business and how to improve the score.
The Loss Prevention Hotline and corresponding poster is a staple in the loss prevention industry. The hotline is a toll free number used by employees to place an anonymous call to alert the company of any business risks including: theft, neglect of policies/procedures or security issues that may arise.- Mystery and Integrity Shopping – Service Sleuth can complete mystery and integrity shops on a regular basis (weekly, monthly, quarterly) to evaluate guest experience and employee integrity. The goal is to determine how and if sales are being transacted properly, as well as to measure other guest experience criteria as determined by the client.
- Policy and Procedure Development – The Mershimer Group can develop “Rules of Conduct,” or other Loss Prevention Policies and Procedures or Standard Protocol for the client to implement company-wide.
- Theft and Loss Investigations – The Mershimer Group has a large network of Loss Prevention professionals and licensed Private Investigators to conduct investigations as needed. Investigations will include gathering and documenting evidence, interviewing of suspect employees, obtaining written admissions and restitution agreements and a full investigative report.
- Loss Prevention Awareness Visits – The Mershimer Group will visit client locations on a quarterly or monthly basis to ensure compliance with loss prevention policies and procedures, discuss findings with manager and answer any questions a manager may have. Usually an audit or survey will be completed during these visits.
- Corporate Guidance – Corporate loss prevention / security guidance, support and consultation.
- Video Review – The Mershimer Group will spend a certain numbers of hours reviewing or spot-checking CCTV or tapes. Video reviews can be scheduled by the week, month, year or quarter. The intent of these reviews is to identify employee dishonesty, non-compliance to safety standards, hazardous actions or conditions. The results can be used as a training tool for employees. This also acts as an internal theft visual deterrent since the loss prevention professional would be on site for a specific amount of time on a recurring basis.
