Teach your employees the basics of any retail job and get them prepared to enter your workforce. Welcome to the team is one of a kind course and one of the only retail employee orientation programs ever made. Topics presented include: Job responsibilities; Basic loss prevention; Appearance and dress code; Safety. Course Outline Job Responsibilities. It is up to every one of us to serve our customers, protect our stores and project a positive image. We only get one chance to make a positive first impression. Dusting, straightening, vacuuming, and keeping the entire store clean are critical if we are going to attract customers. You also may be expected to help merchandise the story by arranging displays, unloading, and unpacking freight, putting away stock and pricing. These activities provide a terrific opportunity to get to know your merchandise, brush up on your product knowledge. Loss Prevention: Another crucial part of our job is loss prevention. Losses also called shrink, come from missing cash and merchandise that cannot be accounted for. Internal losses are created by employees through inaccuracy, lack of intention to detail and intentional theft of money or merchandise. There are measures we all must take to prevent internal theft. Offer an employee discount. Resist the temptation to offer your discount to people who don't qualify. Abusing your employee discount can result in serious consequences for your career. No merchandise may leave the store under any circumstance unless it is paid for and properly documented. If you know of unlawful acts being committed in your store, please contact any member of your management team. External losses are created by non-employees through shoplifting, burglary, robbery, and shipment theft. Use the following tips to prevent external losses. Your first line of defense is customer service. This will reduce the shoplifter's opportunity to take merchandise. If a customer creates a disturbance, repeatedly sends you to the stockroom or overuses your time, this person may be a decoy working with another person or group trying to rip you off. If you are involved with opening the store always be sure to lock the door behind you when you come in. Know your sales floor. If you notice something missing, alert your manager. If you see a shoplifter, discreetly alert your manager, or call security. Your personal safety is our top priority. Career Opportunities: Your company rewards drive and initiative and your new career offers many opportunities. From your position as an associate, you could become an assistant manager or manager. As you flourish you might earn the opportunity to work in higher volume stores. Some regional managers, merchandisers, and buyers started off as sales associates. Your positive attitude and ability to work with customers can be part of a successful long-term career. Safety: Occasionally you may need to use a ladder. Please follow these safety guidelines. Each time you use a ladder inspect it for loose or damaged rungs, steps, or rails. Check for loose screws, bolts, or hinges. Be sure the spreaders on step ladders can be locked in place and that the ladder has safety feet which reduce the chances the ladder will slip. If the ladder has any defect which you believe makes it unsafe, do not use it and report the problem to your supervisor. Keep the area around the base clean and set the ladder on a solid, level surface. Step ladders should be fully opened with the spreaders locked. Always face the ladder and hold on with both hands as you climb. As you work, keep one hand on the ladder and never overextend your upper body. This could cause you to lose your balance and fall. Climbing too high can also lead to accidents so never climb higher than the second step from the top of the step ladder. Always heed any safety stickers located on the ladder. You also may need to lift boxes. Follow these steps to reduce the chances of injury. Test every load before you lift by pushing the object lightly with your hands or feet. This will give you a general idea of the boxes weight. Keep your body facing the object while you lift it. Never twist your hips or back while lifting. Keep the load close to your body. Having to reach out to lift and carry an object may hurt your back. Try to carry the load in the space between your shoulder and your waist. This puts less strain on your back muscles. Never try to lift something too heavy for you. If you must strain to carry the load, it's too heavy. If this is the case, get a second person to help you or use a hand truck or dolly. Look around before you lift and look around you as you carry. Make sure you can see where you are walking.