Policy is defined as a course of action selected in light of given conditions to guide and determine decisions. Your policy can be interpreted as a written contract. It holds both you and your employees to certain standards of conduct. If your policy is not followed or is not in writing, your actions will be viewed as arbitrary and inconsistent by your employees as well as a judge and jury.

Your company's last action is your company's policy. Your goal is to create good loss prevention policy that must be easy to understand, apply, and enforce. From the employee's point of view, good policy is educational and positive, not casual, arbitrary, or threatening. Policies must spell out the rules of the game of play at work and they need to be very clear.

Loss prevention policies have four basic elements: awareness, prevention, recognition, and recovery of assets. This section also covers preparing for and conducting appraisal interviews, building company allegiance, and being a good role model. Finally, we review policy as it relates to theft, sexual harassment, workplace violence, employee safety, surprise inspections, and the company handbook.

Employee Theft---Decision Making Basics---Analyzing Behavior---Policy---Investigations---Integrity Interviewing---Firing---Hiring---Shoplifting---Courtroom Testimony