QuestionHi there. I'm a massage therapist in the Washington, DC area. I've worked part time for 2 years in a clinical setting, and am picking up more part time massage gigs. One of these new gigs is a 5 hour shift at a spa, my first time working in the spa environment.
Simply put, here's my question: is a spa massage therapist expected to be present for a full 5 hour shift if no clients are scheduled and they are paid solely by commission? If so, what should the therapist expect to do during those hours?
I had a second interview last night at 6:30, and was told then that they'd scheduled a 2pm client for me on the following day (that was today). I hadn't anticipated starting today, and said so. The owner offered to cancel the massage and let me start next week, but I told her that it was not a problem. When I arrived today for my appointment, 20 minutes early, I was told that the client had called in to change her appointment to an earlier time. The owner does not come in on tuesday, but the receptionist seemed to expect me to stay for my shift, in case of a walk-in. This particular spa offers primarily manicures/pedicures, and I do not have the impression that walk-in's for massage are a daily occurrence. I had other things to take care of, so I left.
Now, I do want to clarify my attitude a little bit. I understand that my presence at the spa would be good for business, both theirs and mine, in case of walk-in's and also for promotion. I don't intend to leave every time I don't have clients scheduled (although on days with zero clients on the schedule, I may be more inclined to do so), but my perspective is that time for which I am at the spa but am not paid is entirely voluntary, and if I have personal reasons to leave on occasion, I have the right to do so.
Am I being unreasonable?
AnswerGreetings Josh. Boy, this question makes me laugh and laugh. I currently work in a spa environment, and actually face the same issue. I do not think that it is unreasonable to leave if you have no clients - same goes for the stylists. My boss disagrees, using the same arguements you said. But we have gotten two walk ins in the two years that I have been there. I used to leave early if I was not busy, at 5:30 to 5:45 (my shift ends at 7). I was then told that that was not fair to the other people, and that there was always the chance for a walk in (it has never happened), so now I have to leave at 6. We all even feel that if we had cell phones, then we could run around, and get a call if we get booked, but that does not work for our boss.
So, when I am not busy, I am expected to help folding towels and sheets, do cleaning, help clients with beverages, and offer chair massages to everyone. This is to help the three hourly assistants, mind you, but it is all on my own time with no compensation. I am having issues with my boss right now, and this is a bit of a sore subject for me, since they threaten to take our sodas away if we do not pay 30 cents for each one. And if the stylists need to leave, they do not seem to get leactured about it like we in the spa do. Now, I do understand that by being there, you increase your visibility, and will start getting more booked, but usually you put a humongous amount of effort in and get few clients from it.
So, no, Josh, I do not think that you are being unreasonable. And most salons and spas are like this; it seems to come along with the territory and is something that needs to be dealt with. The massage clinics that I have worked in were a lot more loose about this. So, you have to decide if this is something that you can live with, if the compensation is worth the hastle. There are a few benefits in working in that type of environment, ones different from that of a clinical setting. One benefit (at least the places that I have worked at) is that you can trade services with the other employees, so you can get cheap or free facials, manicures, and hair cuts.
I hope this is of some help, Josh. Please feel free to write back if you have any other questions or conflicts, as I am sure that I have already dealt with it. Also feel free to rate me on AllExperts as both positive and constructive feedback help me learn to help others better.
Sincerely,
Christopher Hall
