GotGLOW?

You guys are owners of salons, so i figure you would know a few laws. When i worked at a medical spa, they only paid me commision. thats it. if i was there from 10-5, i still only got commision for my services done that day, and sometimes it was like $10 for the day :( they would also make me answer the phones when i wasnt busy! wth...and do laundry...wth....so i went back on my own, they took advantage and misled me into thinking i would do so much better and blah blah so i took my equipment and clients and went back on my own!! i dont trust business owners lol out that for that money! sorry :) i know yall dont do that ;) so what do yall think? is that illegal? i never signed anything! also reading the other post, i had to buy TWO uniform shirts, $70 each......

Spellbound

I assume there are set labor laws in your state in regards to commission employees vs hrly employees. Your responbilities should always be discussed before you start so their is a mutual understanding of what is expected.

I have 15 years exp. in large & upscale salons from receptionist, front desk manager, nail tech & salon owner. Depending on the type of salon would determine what employees responsibilities are. Example-hair salons, spas & some nail salons(depending on size) usually have receptionist(s) to answer phones, make coffee(if provided for clients), keep front clean & orderly, scheduling, confirming, checking in & out of clients, etc. Hair stylists, nail techs, estheticians, massage therapists(commission based employees) are responsible for keeping their own areas neat, clean & orderly & usually not allowed behind front desk. Shampoo employees &/or assistants (pd hrly employees) are responsible for laundry, sweeping, towels, etc. And depending on cost, will bring in a cleaning company at end of day to 'clean' the whole salon. IF commission employee wasn't busy, could leave during scheduled time, but was to remain on-call(on-call status is usual of massage therapists). When on premises, IF co-workers were busy, could be asked to 'help out' a bit, but not usually expected to take over the job.
As an hrly employee, no contracts were signed & they paid me like a regular employee w/ an understanding of what my responsibilities were in each role.
As a commissioned employee I signed contract stating my commission paid, hrs, etc. However, they gave me a regular pay check & deducted taxes-no 1099, but some companies choose do it that way, too. I paid for my own business cards through them & had dress code to follow. Did purchase a cape through them & had to pay for that. Had to buy all my own equipment, but wrote it off & took it w/me when I quit the last job when I bought my salon.
I offer other services in my salon along w/tanning. My commission based employees are only responsible for cleaning for themselves & throwing in their laundry. My front desk employee is responsible for checking clients in/out, finishing laundry, cleaning end of night, etc.
Maybe Kathe will respond w/how she does things at her salon as she has tanning & spa services, also.
Sorry its so long!!!

Tan Talker

I bargained with life for a penny and life would pay no more. Anonymous (Don't be)

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GotGLOW?

I am a licensed esthetician and when i was hired it was to do airbrush tanning/ waxing/ and facials....they fired their receptionist, and refused to hire another one (bc they pay receptionist hrly) bc they said "why hire on if you guys do it?" they said that when i confronted them about using us (and i quit at that time). there are still 3 of my friends that are estheticians stuck being used and also the laser tech. we all got commision and were were never allowed to leave if we werent busy and we always had to answer phones if we werent busy and do laundry.

Tan Talker

Well the intelligent one left and found employement with a respectable establishment after she negotiated in writing the deal she wanted.

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DB Hottie

In a lot of places, if your commision does not add up to at least meet the minimum wage for your state, then the employer must pay you the difference.

Ex. If your state min. wage is $5.

You worked 8 hrs and only made $10 commision.

The employer would have to kick in $30 so you at least hit min. wage.

Check your state regulations, it is a requirement in our state, that it is posted where all employees can read it. Call your labor board as well, they are very helpful.

Spellbound

Tan Talker is right & DB has a good point. You need to know the laws in your state.
No offense to your friends, but they are not stuck. They have just chosen to stay. Salons everywhere look for experienced technicians w/a following. There are always choices to make, especially in the salon industry.