I know, I was editing and had to leave for work. 

 The other day I was 15 min. late for a client that I did not know was on my book. She was put on Tuesday, we are closed. When I have 9 a.m. appts. I am there. I go above and beyond in the salon. My boss has called me before to let me know she gave me a 9 a.m. I am at work by 9:15 even if I do not have anyone on my book.  I have been at this salon for about 1 1/2 yrs. and in the industry for about 5. I am still building a clientele. I am 47 yrs. old, have a family and home. I hardly ever ask for time off other than vacation. A couple of weeks ago I asked if I could leave early, 4 p.m. on Friday because my nephew was graduating from high school and he wanted me and my husband to attend. She said it was o.k. but on Sat. morning I had to hear her grief. The episode the other day was done in front of clients! You could have cut the air with a knife. I apologized endlessly to my client. I have not said anything to my boss but I do plan to get my point across to her about consideration.

I have worked in two other salons, the first she rented from an idiot and lost her business the other the owner put the place up for sale and didn't tell me. My other employers appreciated my dedication and always told me I was a hard worker, which I am. They did not expect me to sit all day when the phone wasn't ringing or walk ins were not coming. This is a very small neighborhood salon. I stay and help the other stylist if the shampoo girl was not brought in that day, I keep the towels clean, sweep, and used to clean the brushes until Pat (the other stylist) told me not to.(bad grammar I know). Once again I have to leave for work. My question is, what is the norm in salons if one does not get paid hourly, as far as hours?  I do put in alot of hours. Thanks.

Certainly you are legally entitled to minimum wage for the hours you work.  Even if on commission ... as an employee (required to work certain hours), the least you can earn must figure out to minimum wage.  Beyond that, the owner can require you to work whatever hours are necessary (in their mind) to operate the salon.  By the way ... minumum wage allows for over-time ... even double-over time.

Be very clear with your owner ... are you expected to be in the salon, even if you have no clients booked, during the early morning, or late day hours.  In my opinion, a stylist who is buildibng a clientelle should work as many hours as possible (practically, of course), just in case there are last minute call-ins, or walkins.  When I was starting out, I was affraid to miss an opportunity.

I'll check back after I get back from work ... to add more, and make sure I understand your question. Have a great day!

To some extent I agree with pokepres ...

If this is your "dream come true", then you should FIGHT for it!!  Don't let anything get in the way of your accomplishing success.

There must be other opportunities in town ... other salons ... other stylist to mentor you.  There IS an answer.

Don't you dare give up ... make it happen.  You will live to regret it, if you walk away from hairdressing.

All salons are unique and each stylist has their own style, however most clients will want consistency from the businesses they patronize.  If your salon opens at 9am I would be there at 8:15-8:30 each and every day whether I had a client or not.

Our salons are very strict on early arrival.  The first time a stylist comes in late, they are sent home for the day any clients they had that day are called and given the option to reschedule with their stylist or keep thier appointment but with another stylist.  The second time a stylists is late they are sent home for a week.  If they are late a third time they are terminated.  We suggest all employees come in at least a half hour before thier shift begins. 

My daughter worked at Bumble&Bumble in NY and one of the quotes she came back with was

"Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable."

Valid points, russnyc ...

In my personal experience, my tenure in every salon (other than my own), has been 6 1/2 years ... go figure!  Interesting that russnyc said seven years.  Scary!!

Not that you should move every seven years ... but you will "out grow" to some extent, every situation.  I think it has to do with personal development.  Certainly, you should evaluate your situation, to determine if it is you, or the salon, that is the real problem.

At the same time ... along with what russnyc said ... it is true that an owner MAY take advantage of a high performer (even inadvertantly)  BUT ... the same high performer has a bigger club, than the other stylists, to use against the owner.

So use it, if that is the case ...   (gently, of course)

I am just curious - what bigger club are you talking about?  Most top performers do not hang out in any club.  They come to work, do their job, do not have time for the gossip, tend to help others when needed.  I have been in a situation where I was ruled to death in a form that stumpted my growth.  But I was not part of any club.  Wondering your thoughts on this.

Cindy Farr Hester  Asst Moderator

Oh ... how right you are color2u

As Teddy Roosevelt said ... "Speak softy, and carry a big stick!"

Oh I get it - lol!  But even if the bigger club is the clientele that he could take with him, wouldn't the owner want to appreciate the high producer and work with them so they don't outgrow the salon enviroment?

Cindy Farr Hester  Asst Moderator