How to Protect Employees From Unwanted Attention at Your Pet Business

With just two hours left until closing on what seemed like a never-ending Friday, Marie and her recently hired sales associate, Sara, had finally found a few minutes to catch their breath. Fridays were usually fast-paced at Pet Pals, but this one in particular had been especially busy.

Marie called out to Sara as she headed back to the storage freezer, letting her know she was grabbing more product. Sara began restocking the chew bar as they both prepped for the inevitable after-work rush. Sara looked up from the buckets she was filling and noticed a green sedan pulling into the lot. Recognizing the driver, she shakily finished placing the chews. Like a deer in headlights, Sara froze as the front bell chimed to announce the visitor’s entry.

A heavy-set older man walked into the store. Just then, Marie returned from the back and greeted him. She struck up the usual conversation with a new customer, chatting about the weather and asking how his day was going. In response, the man gruffly said, “I just brought this for Sara.” In his hand, he held a small gift bag. Unaware of Sara’s struggle, Marie called Sara over.

The man said to Sara, “I saw this and thought of you,” handing her the bag. Sara nervously reached in and pulled out a T-shirt with a flower design on the front. She mumbled, “Thanks” and turned away, walking unsteadily to the back of the store. The man said, “Goodbye,” walked out the door and drove off. Marie hurried after Sara, who was visibly trembling and ghostly pale. Sitting down on the bench at the back of the store, Sara closed her eyes.

Marie questioned her, “Please tell me what’s going on? Why are you so upset? Is that man a family friend? Who is he?” Sara began to cry as she told Marie her story. The man had visited her regularly at prior workplaces, first at another store and then at a coffee shop, and now he had followed her to Marie’s business.

Sara had been friendly to him, as she was to all customers, but there was no romantic interest on her part. She’d been nice to a customer — that was part of the job. He’d never said or done anything threatening, but his presence made Sara uncomfortable. She was afraid to tell him she had no interest in being his friend or anything else. Sara didn’t want any contact and didn’t know what to do. She was sure he recognized her car in the lot, and that was how he had found her again.

Sheila Raebel
DOGMA DOG BAKERY, ARLINGTON, VA

Call the police. Have Sara park elsewhere. Reinforce your policy of not sharing employee schedules. Also engage the property management company if renting in a shopping center, as the landlord owns the property so must also handle any “no trespass” order if it comes to that. The manager or owner should interact with this person if he comes in again and inform him that there is a “no gifts” policy. Do not call Sara over. If the situation escalates, immediately call the police and get a “no trespass” order in court. Protecting Sara protects everyone, and the rest of the staff will appreciate knowing you are doing everything you can to make their workplace safe.

Shane Somerville
PADDYWACK, MILL CREEK, WA

This man is a creepy stalker and needs to be dealt with promptly and decisively. Marie should strongly encourage Sara to file a restraining order on the man, assuming she knows his name. If not, I would urge Marie to prepare to let the man know on his next visit that he is not welcome in the store, and trespass him if he won’t leave. The police might have some suggestions on the best way to manage it, so contacting them preemptively seems reasonable. I would not set a policy around this, as it’s not a common enough issue to need a full-blown policy, but should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. If Marie doesn’t have security cameras, she definitely needs to get some, and for now she needs to make sure Sara is not scheduled alone. I would also suggest keeping pepper spray on hand and allowing Sara to keep her phone on her for safety.

Beth Kidd
DOGS BY DESIGN, IRWIN, PA

I would try to be there when the new employee works so I could be there if he comes back. I would let him know that employees are not permitted visitors during work hours and that it’s against company policy for employees to accept personal gifts. I would hope this fixes the problem, but wouldn’t hesitate to call the police for harassment if he doesn’t stop coming in.

Dana Julian
FURBABY BOUTIQUE, HOLLY, MI

Stalking is never to be taken lightly. If I were the manager, I would absolutely have a talk with this customer. He needs to know his actions are inappropriate. No gifts or conversations with this employee allowed. Period. I also would make it clear that if he shows up again, the police will be called for stalking/harassing. I have personal experience with a stalker. This is not the time to be diplomatic or spare his feelings. He must be informed that his actions are unwelcome and will not be tolerated. If there isn’t a camera facing the employee parking area, install one immediately. All of this may help employees feel more safe at their jobs if they know the company takes their concerns and safety seriously. A “right to refuse business” sign on the door may be helpful to remind people they can be kicked out. I hope this employee remains safe. My heart goes out to her.

Eric Mack
PURRRFECT BARK, COLUMBUS, NC

In this case, I’d wear the shirt the next time the guy came in and tell him thank you for it, even as ridiculous as it would be. However, more professionally, I’d let the customer know that going forward he’d no longer be welcome on the property, and if that was disregarded, an official trespassing notice would be filed with the local police. Given that I know some of the local officers, I’d also give them a heads-up on the situation.

Danyle Morse
CLAREMONT PET CENTER, CLAREMONT, NH

I try to really pay attention to the interactions I can hear in my store. If a customer gets a little too personal, I pull the employee to the side and ask them how they feel. If they are uncomfortable, I make sure they don’t have to deal with that customer again. It is an unstated rule that there are some customers we really want to avoid. We all cover for each other in those situations. If the customer continued to seek out that employee, I would let them know that their actions are not acceptable. If the person continues to be a problem, it would quickly escalate to police and a “no trespass” order. Our employees are primarily female, so I keep an eye out for boyfriends, ex-boyfriends and people from their personal life. Some of them are young and still need that motherly support at work.

Brett Foreman
EUPAWRIA, OWEGO, NY

Marie should definitely confront him, quietly but in plain sight of others. Inform him that Sara is more than a little uncomfortable and doesn’t have any feelings for him and that if he returns he’ll be asked to leave. Any other staff should be informed as well. If the man returns, he should immediately be asked to leave, and if he doesn’t, call the police, have him trespassed and convince Sara to press charges for harassment. Any time Sara is closing or leaving the store, even during the day, all efforts should be made to provide her an escort to her vehicle.

Susan Nagel-Rees
WINKY’S PET BOUTIQUE, CHESTER, NJ

Marie should ask the man to not come onto store property, including the parking lot, again. It makes Sara uncomfortable, and that’s all that matters. If at some point Marie feels she needs help from law enforcement, then she should certainly contact them on behalf of Sara.