Is this reasonable for an employee?

[TheDuchess]

I'm based in Bath. I've never heard of employed beauty therapists being asked to provide the tools of their trade. I get that a nail tech might want their own, or a lash technician, but not a general beauty therapist providing lots of different treatments - it's unreasonable.

We did have a problem a while ago with manicure tools being treated disrespectfully, so I bought replacements and allocated a set to everyone marked with a colour and told them that if they let them get rusty they'd have to pay for replacements. It could be that this is the issue - I mean why are the lash tweezers in such a state? If the head therapist is not managing tool cleaning and care, it could be that the owner has read the riot act. Told her "this is the last time I'm buying any new tools" etc..and now is refusing to pay for any more replacements.

Unfortunately, there isn't really anything that you can do apart from asking for confirmation in writing as part of your contract of employment which might make them rethink. You can get quite cool pouches for tools that you hang round your waist like a kilt sporran and there are opportunities for causing annoyance to management like carrying all your tools sround in a paper macdonalds burger bag, or tying bits of nylon thread to your tools and hanging them round your neck like a string of onions.

It's certainly not a normal set up, so if it was me, I'd look for a new job. As a salon owner, I'd be quite shocked if I interviewed someone for a job and they told me this. I'd think it was reason enough to look for another job.

 

[Scrubadub]

I'm based in Bath. I've never heard of employed beauty therapists being asked to provide the tools of their trade. I get that a nail tech might want their own, or a lash technician, but not a general beauty therapist providing lots of different treatments - it's unreasonable.

We did have a problem a while ago with manicure tools being treated disrespectfully, so I bought replacements and allocated a set to everyone marked with a colour and told them that if they let them get rusty they'd have to pay for replacements. It could be that this is the issue - I mean why are the lash tweezers in such a state? If the head therapist is not managing tool cleaning and care, it could be that the owner has read the riot act. Told her "this is the last time I'm buying any new tools" etc..and now is refusing to pay for any more replacements.

Unfortunately, there isn't really anything that you can do apart from asking for confirmation in writing as part of your contract of employment which might make them rethink. You can get quite cool pouches for tools that you hang round your waist like a kilt sporran and there are opportunities for causing annoyance to management like carrying all your tools sround in a paper macdonalds burger bag, or tying bits of nylon thread to your tools and hanging them round your neck like a string of onions.

It's certainly not a normal set up, so if it was me, I'd look for a new job. As a salon owner, I'd be quite shocked if I interviewed someone for a job and they told me this. I'd think it was reason enough to look for another job.

I’m already looking to leave but I’m tied into my contract until August due to having had courses paid for me and I can’t pay them back if I leave right now.

Do you have links to the pouches you mentioned? They sound good

 

[Scrubadub]

I’m obviously very ‘Old School’.....
In my opinion, these are ‘tools of the trade’ and as such I would always want - and expect - to use my own choice of equipment.

I replied earlier but wanted to add that if this had been the way since I started then it would be fine it’s just frustrating that this has only come in now, I already have the kit so it’s ok but it means that they are going to get worn down twice as fast because I have to use them at work.

 

[TheDuchess]

Try searching on eBay and Amazon using "hairdressing scissor pouch holster" or similiar. There are lots of different sizes.

 

[Scrubadub]

Try searching on eBay and Amazon using "hairdressing scissor pouch holster" or similiar. There are lots of different sizes.

View attachment 208377

Thank you!

 

[AcidPerm]

Is your employer providing adequate means of cleaning and sanitising the tools between clients?

I’m already looking to leave but I’m tied into my contract until August due to having had courses paid for me and I can’t pay them back if I leave right now.

You might not be bound by the terms of your contract. Just because you signed it doesn’t make it enforceable.
A lot of these contracts are unenforceable because they haven’t been properly drawn up by a legal expert and when examined, the terms are usually classed as excessive and therefore, unreasonable.

Go and book an appointment with an employment specialist and let them examine your contract.

 

[Scrubadub]

Is your employer providing adequate means of cleaning and sanitising the tools between clients?


You might not be bound by the terms of your contract. Just because you signed it doesn’t make it enforceable.
A lot of these contracts are unenforceable because they haven’t been properly drawn up by a legal expert and when examined, the terms are usually classed as excessive and therefore, unreasonable.

Go and book an appointment with an employment specialist and let them examine your contract.

I was hoping you’d comment!

Yes we have barbacide available and we are expected to make sure that we sanitise between clients.

It doesn’t actually say anything about tools or consumables at all in my contract as I checked. I will go and see someone and just see what they think though.

In your experience should they be providing these things or not? The hairdressers use their own kits and don’t have anything like that supplied.

 

[AcidPerm]

It doesn’t actually say anything about tools or consumables at all in my contract as I checked. I will go and see someone and just see what they think though.

I was referring to the payback period for your training and whether it was enforceable. The fact that your employer is penny pinching on supplying your essential tools makes me think they might not have bothered spending money getting the contracts carefully written up.
So many employers think that they can download a standard contract and then add in any clause they fancy and that if the employee signs it they’re covered, but in reality, the law doesn’t work like that.

In your shoes, I’d be considering my options and have a fall back plan because this sounds like it could be the start of some serious penny pinching and could end up with redundancies. Has you employer been cutting costs elsewhere lately?

 

[Scrubadub]

[emoji4] I was referring to the payback period for your training and whether it was enforceable. The fact that your employer is penny pinching on supplying your essential tools makes me think they might not have bothered spending money getting the contracts carefully written up.
So many employers think that they can download a standard contract and then add in any clause they fancy and that if the employee signs it they’re covered, but in reality, the law doesn’t work like that.

In your shoes, I’d be considering my options and have a fall back plan because this sounds like it could be the start of some serious penny pinching and could end up with redundancies. Has you employer been cutting costs elsewhere lately?

Not that I’ve particularly noticed, the business is doing well, still got lots of business. I am applying for other jobs, so I will seek some advice [emoji4] when I joined I also had to supply my own uniform

I’ve just read my contract and reading it it seems that I don’t have to pay anything after 12 months even though it doesn’t state that, I thought that is said I still had to pay after 12 months! My bad!