A reader writes:
I work at a barbershop that’s beneath the sales space hire mannequin, so I’m a sole proprietor.
How do I professionally inform folks to cease coming in sick/bringing of their sick youngsters? Ought to I show an indication at my station as nicely? I don’t perceive how a haircut is so necessary whenever you’re sick. Not solely do I hate how being sick feels, I stay with my 86-year-old grandfather and it’s not in my agenda to get him sick. It’s additionally very inconvenient and places my job in danger due to having to reschedule shoppers.
I had a dad or mum carry their tremendous sick child in on Christmas Eve. He sat within the entrance your complete time, however was there for some time as a result of I lower the dad and brother’s hair too. The youngsters got here in midway by way of dad’s haircut, so I felt obligated to complete his haircut and the opposite brother wasn’t visibly sick so it put me in a bizarre spot the place I felt I may solely flip down the one. Ideally, I wouldn’t have lower any of their hair, however folks simply don’t appear to have any consideration for others. It’s occurred to me so many instances this previous 12 months.
Actually, if folks are available sick I feel it’s honest to refuse service and cost a no-show payment. Even when they gave me 10-minute discover and simply let me know they have been sick, I wouldn’t cost. I don’t know if that’s the way it works although. I’m simply uninterested in folks getting me sick. It has occurred so many instances just lately, and it’s virtually all the time from youngsters.
The best solution to deal with that is when persons are making appointments. Whoever takes these appointments ought to reiterate your insurance policies earlier than ending the decision: “We ask that you simply reschedule if you happen to’re sick or anybody coming with you is sick. Please name if that occurs and we’ll get you rescheduled.”
If folks schedule on-line, have an analogous coverage posted there. Hell, there’s scheduling software program that may require shoppers to examine a field confirming they’ve learn and conform to observe the coverage earlier than the appointment might be confirmed.
If you happen to occur to be the type of barbershop that has an e-mail record of shoppers and/or social media, you can additionally promote this coverage there. It gained’t attain everybody, however it’ll assist to get folks enthusiastic about it.
Whether or not you might have the power to do any of these items as a sole proprietor in a store you don’t personal is a unique query. However I’d wager you might have colleagues who would add their voices to yours in pushing for it.
You’ll nonetheless in all probability get shoppers who are available sick or with a sick child anyway, as a result of persons are thoughtless. In these circumstances, are you keen to say, “I’m sorry however I can’t do the appointment when you’re sick/with a sick baby right here — I’ve to watch out as a result of I’ve an at-risk member of the family. Let’s get you rescheduled”? If you wish to supply a reduction for the rescheduled appointment, that will assist from a consumer relations perspective, however you don’t must.
For the sake of thoroughness: you’ll in all probability lose some shoppers over this. Some folks will likely be outraged that they confirmed up and are getting turned away (though that’s much less seemingly if you happen to warn them in regards to the coverage when scheduling them). So that you’ll must determine if you happen to’re okay with that.
