Final answer:
To prevent dine & dash incidents, a service team can ask for upfront payments, perform frequent table checks, and engage customers in conversation to build a rapport. If accused falsely of theft, an employee should remain calm, clarify the situation, and seek a neutral third party to help resolve the issue.
Step-by-step explanation:
To assist with eliminating dine & dashers, our service team can implement three effective strategies:
- Request upfront payments - This could mean asking guests to pay for their meal when they order, reducing the risk of someone leaving without paying.
- Frequent table checks - By regularly visiting tables, staff can monitor customer needs and the status of their meal, which also deters potential dine & dash incidents.
- Engage in conversation - When staff build a rapport with customers through friendly interaction, it can dissuade people from attempting to leave without paying as a personal connection is established.
In our scenario, dealing with the label of a thief can be very challenging for the employee. The best course of action is to remain calm and professional, seek to understand the reasons for the suspicion, and provide any evidence or explanations that may account for the discrepancies. Additionally, the employee could request the presence of a neutral third party during discussions with the manager and suggest solutions such as dual control of the cash drawer or additional training to prevent future issues.