A reader writes:
I work at a barbershop that’s beneath the sales space lease mannequin, so I’m a sole proprietor.
How do I professionally inform folks to cease coming in sick/bringing of their sick children? Ought to I show an indication at my station as properly? I don’t perceive how a haircut is so necessary while you’re sick. Not solely do I hate how being sick feels, I dwell 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 guardian deliver 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 children got here in midway by 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 occasions this previous 12 months.
Truthfully, if folks are available in sick I believe it’s truthful 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 occasions not too long ago, and it’s virtually all the time from children.
The simplest approach to deal with that is when individuals are making appointments. Whoever takes these appointments ought to reiterate your insurance policies earlier than ending the decision: “We ask that you simply reschedule for those who’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 identical coverage posted there. Hell, there’s scheduling software program that may require shoppers to examine a field confirming they’ve learn and comply with observe the coverage earlier than the appointment will be confirmed.
Should you occur to be the kind of barbershop that has an electronic mail record of shoppers and/or social media, you could possibly additionally promote this coverage there. It gained’t attain everybody, but it surely’ll assist to get folks desirous about it.
Whether or not you could have the flexibility to do any of this stuff as a sole proprietor in a store you don’t personal is a unique query. However I’d wager you could have colleagues who would add their voices to yours in pushing for it.
You’ll nonetheless most likely get shoppers who are available in sick or with a sick child anyway, as a result of individuals 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 little one 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 may assist from a shopper relations perspective, however you don’t must.
For the sake of thoroughness: you’ll most likely lose some shoppers over this. Some folks might be outraged that they confirmed up and are getting turned away (though that’s much less probably for those who warn them in regards to the coverage when scheduling them). So that you’ll must determine for those who’re okay with that.