Has your salon employment ever been terminated against your will (like a firing or salon closing)? How did you handle it?
I’d worked at the salon for three and a half years when one day my boss asked me to come into her office. She told me my services would no longer be required. When I asked why, I was told I should know the reason. As I was collecting my belongings, she came over to my desk and said “You do realize that this can be civilized...?” I replied “Of course, what other way could it be?”
On my way home, I filled out job applications (still in my uniform). I went home that day with a new job.
I’m actually not sorry I was let go. It made me able to appreciate the friendly atmosphere of the salon where I work now; plus, if I’d stayed at that job, I would never have gone to massage and facial schools to supplement my flexibility as a technician! What I am most proud of is I kept my poise and professionalism throughout the ordeal. – VALERIE OLIVO - Flemington, N.J.
Being in this business for 20 years I’ve had some bad things happen to me with relation to leaving a job. Once a salon owner yelled at me when I gave notice, saying I “didn’t have what it takes to make it in this business.” (That was back in 1987 and I’m still here.) Her shop closed within a few months of my departure; karma in action!
But the only time I’ve heard the words “You’re fired” was as a teenager working in a restaurant — I was clueless as to what constituted a good work ethic! – JILL WRIGHT - Jill Wright Spa for Nails - Bowling Green, Ky.
I’ve always paid booth rent, so I never had to worry about getting fired. When things get unpleasant I just give my two weeks notice and leave. I guess that means I fired the owner! – BERLINDA JOHNSON - Jo’s New Look Salon, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
I’ve had an owner not renew my contract because I refused to pay an additional fee she tried to tack on that wasn’t listed in my contract. I told her if she thought the fee was necessary then she could renegotiate my contract when it expired. When it did expire, she opted not to renew. It wasn’t a surprise and I just moved to another salon a few miles away. – JILL TOUCHETTE Tuscany Salon, Scottsdale, Ariz.
I was working in a small nail shop and, like most young people, I had dreams of one day opening my own salon; I mentioned this dream one day while we were sitting around. The very next day when I arrived at work all of my stuff was in a box by the door. (I’d been let go.) Three weeks later I was getting ready to open my first salon with one rickety old nail table, four plastic $5 chairs, and two table fans. Who’d have thought it would take me getting canned to make the move? The funny part is that two years later that same salon closed, and I moved my salon into it for a year. Maybe I shouldn’t have moved in the first place. – LORRAINE DIANA TISDALE NailMania, Goose Creek, S.C.
