The discussion around work-life balance is becoming the center of workplace culture in every industry — and salons are no different. Hairstylists and people who work in salons can suffer from workplace burnout, too, which is on the rise and causing a lot of people to leave the workforce.
If you are trying to keep your stylists happy while creating a positive culture, but employee turnover is on the rise, you may need to shift your focus to creating more work-life balance for your people. One way that salons can improve employee retention and mitigate workplace burnout is by encouraging a positive culture that prioritizes work-life balance.
Since being a stylist is client-facing, stylists not only have to keep up with their physical jobs, but they also have to experience the emotional work of interacting with clients all day.
Luckily, infusing more work-life balance into your company’s culture can alleviate some of the pressure and the physical and emotional toll experienced by stylists.
8 Tips for Work-Life Balance for Salons
If you’re unsure of where to start, we will share some practical ways to improve workplace culture and promote work-life balance among your stylists.
Splurge on Supplies That Make Work Easier
Investing in hair salon supplies that make your stylists’ jobs easier is a big boost for employee morale. While it may not look like a day off, these tools can help alleviate the stress and pain stylists feel day in and day out.
Paid time off may be unheard of for salons, but what better way to encourage more work-life balance than offering your stylists a paid day off here and there. If it isn’t feasible to offer paid time off for your salon, you can always reward stylists with a day off and a cash prize or gift card.
Nothing interferes with work-life balance more than an unorganized schedule. Stylists can be pulled in on their day off or stay later to take clients because the schedule wasn’t accurate or organized. To ensure your stylists aren’t getting burnt out, you can set parameters around scheduling that allows for breaks, enough time in between clients and some added flexibility.
Make Work-Life Balance a Part of Your Routine
Leading by example is a great way to influence your staff to incorporate more work-life balance. If you prioritize work-life balance, your staff will know that it’s okay to do the same.
Make Your Expectations Around Work-Life Balance Known
Whether you’re a salon owner, manager or stylist, it’s important to make work-life balance goals and objectives well-known to your team. How will stylists know to prioritize work-life balance if they aren’t informed about ways they can implement it or if they are even allowed to take more time for themselves?
Do your stylists have a place to relax in between clients or a place to eat lunch? If not, a good way to boost morale and incorporate more work-life balance is giving your people a space to relax. This breakroom can include comfortable chairs, couches, tables and other amenities like coffee machines and snacks to help your people feel supported.
Check-in with Your People Often
If you want to make a difference in how your employees feel about coming to work, a good way to gauge their opinions and thoughts is through weekly or monthly check-ins. You can check in with your people through staff meetings or walk around the salon floor to catch up with your stylists. When you check-in, make sure you are expressing the importance of work-life balance and asking your people how they plan to follow through.
Put It in Writing
To ensure that work-life balance is weaved into your salon’s practices and DNA, it could be helpful to note your commitment to work-life balance by writing a salon mission statement.
Now, just because you implement these steps to improve work-life balance, it doesn’t always mean that your stylists will follow through — even though it’s in their best interest. Follow through with your team to ensure they are prioritizing work-life balance. Leading by example is also a surefire way to show your employees that it matters to you.
Share Your Feedback