STAFF MEAL BREAKS IN YOUR SALON THIS CHRISTMAS

Home / HABA Blog / STAFF MEAL BREAKS IN YOUR SALON THIS CHRISTMAS

Posted December 17, 2018

We’ve been talking for weeks now about how it’s the busiest time of year in salon, and it’s certainly not getting any better, right? We are hearing from our members that this silly season, clients seem sillier than ever with last-minute hair appointments, emergency waxing and everything in between happening in December.

 

At this time of year, it’s really easy to get caught in the trap of just working more, working longer, working harder, to make ends meet when it comes to appointments. Your best staff are probably booked solid, and rather than disappoint your client, sometimes it seems easier to just get them to work later hours or work through their lunch break, right? Wrong.

 

It’s important for staff retention, staff efficiency and their overall wellness that they receive adequate breaks throughout the day – let alone that all staff are required by law to be allowed certain breaks under the Hair and Beauty Award 2010. A staff who is hungry, stressed out and hasn’t had a break isn’t going to be thinking most clearly or working at their peak efficiency – and this can have a huge impact on the client experience in salon.

 

This means that salon owners need to ensure that there is enough staff rostered on to ensure that everyone on your team gets their appropriate meal breaks. Whether that means employing a casual for the last few weeks of December or getting back on the tools yourself to cover breaks for your team, make sure that there is enough staff available to cover your clients and to cover your team’s meal breaks.

 

It’s also important to remind your team that they need to take their breaks! Your top staff members are likely conscientious about their clients and making sure that they get everything done in the Christmas period, so its possible they will forget their lunch break or just squeeze in that extra appointment at this time of year. As their manager, its important that you cover your duty of care to them as your team and remind them to take their breaks as required – it’s good for them, good for their clients and good for your business!

 

On the topic of duty of care, it’s important to remind your team to drink plenty of cool water during the day. With the busyness of the Christmas season and the warm temperatures we often experience in December, dehydration can set in and that can spell disaster for your team. Dehydration can result in fatigue and sickness in your employees and should be avoided at all costs. By providing water bottles in fridges or a jug of water in your staff area, it will remind them to drink water when they see it and help look after the health of your team through this busy period.

 

Keeping your team healthy and happy during the Christmas period just makes good business sense. It keeps your team running at peak performance, ensures your clients are happy and ensures you make great money during the busiest time of the year. As a salon owner, it’s in your best interest to ensure your staff take their breaks, get something good to eat and drink plenty of water to keep your salon running during this time of the year – so don’t forget to implement some of our tips in your salon today!