Final answer:
When a customer reports sickness linked to a business, the business should document the complaint, investigate the incident to identify any potential common food item related to the cases, and report the situation to the local health department for further guidance while communicating empathetically with the customer.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a customer claims they got sick, it is important for the business, such as a restaurant, to take the following actions:
- Document the customer's complaint: Keep a detailed record of the customer's claims, including what they ate, when they visited, and what symptoms they are experiencing.
- Investigate the claim: Check if other customers have reported similar issues and examine food handling procedures to identify if a particular food item could be linked to the illness.
- Report and seek professional guidance: Notify the local health department and consult with them for the necessary steps to prevent further cases, and potentially have health inspectors assess the situation.
Throughout this process, maintaining clear and empathetic communication with the customer is essential. Businesses should be transparent about the actions they are taking and ensure the safety of other patrons.