Paige, you need to see a solicitor. Ring around and see what one will charge you to give you an hour’s advice. You should earn at least minimum wage otherwise it’s illegal - unless you haven’t done a full year as an apprentice?
Do you get a top up to your wages for universal credit or anything like that? You may be able to get some advice and support from the job centre if you do,
You could also try citizens advice but there’s usually a waiting list, it won’t hurt to try.
The “self employed” deal she’s offered you is to work on a contract basis. It’s not quite the same thing as running your own business within her salon. You are classed as a contract worker and you have rights and should get minimum wage and holiday pay. You can read more here
Employment status.
Your employer should pay you a maximum of 33-35% of your takings. I know that sounds like she’s keeping a lot but she needs to pay all the salon overheads and that is the normal percentage. I used to despair when my staff earned as little as £3000 because I just couldn’t get any profit out of such a small amount and I was basically training them for free. I only really made any money if they hit £4k. Understanding that a grown-up wage isn’t possible if you are only producing a trainee level of income will help you to see both sides of the issue.
If you were self employed (you’re not truly self employed on the arrangement she’s offered you) you would keep a bit more to make up for not having sick pay or holiday pay. Self employment needs to be at least a 20% increase on your hourly wage, otherwise it’s a pay cut. That would work out a minimum of 40% to you.
It’s easy to imagine that a business owner makes loads of money. I used to! I was astonished to discover how little I understood about all the costs of business. It’s a bit like moving into your own place. When you live at home with your parents it seems very straightforward to be able to afford your own space, you save up your deposit and buy nice mugs and towels and then you spend the next 18 months broke as you discover that loo cleaner, bin bags, toilet rolls and washing powder are just a few of the things that you didn’t realise cost so much.