In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NRF Foundation launched two new credentials in its RISE Up program. The credentials focus on retail operations and customer conflict prevention to further ensure retail workers — and the millions of customers they serve — can work and shop safely.

Utilizing best practices from leading retailers and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to create more comprehensive training, both credentials are geared toward front-line retail employees who work for small and mid-size businesses.

• COVID-19 Retail Operations – Made possible by American Express, this credential is designed for front-line, customer-facing retail workers, distribution center workers and job seekers. Designed to help retailers meet state and local COVID-19 employee training requirements, participants will gain confidence with how to operate during the pandemic in a safe and productive way.
• COVID-19 Customer Conflict Prevention – In partnership with the Crisis Prevention Institute, a leader in verbal de-escalation training, this credential was developed specifically for front-line, customer-facing retail workers and job seekers on how to avoid and de-escalate conflict. This training is specific to retail’s unique challenges, including mask requirements for customers, customer-to-customer conflicts, and line management. With conflicts around health and safety policies likely to escalate as we head into the holiday season, this training will arm employees with the skills they need to better manage and resolve customer conflicts.

For more information on these certificated programs, contact Rick Means, WR’s Director of Safety and Education on how you can utilize these tools. Rick is also available to help members with safety plans and suggested topics for safety meetings. Contact him at 360.200.6454 or [email protected]