The men we trust to keep our hair well cut and groomed aren’t at work.
Here’s how to do right by them right now. You understand that your haircut requires regular visits to your hairdresser, every month to forty five days to be precise. But social distancing is our new norms and that throws a challenge into even the best laid plans.
As the corona-virus sweeps across India and the globe, center and state governments are mandating the closure of non-essential business in an effort to flatten the curve, service industry professionals are bearing much of the burden. It’s why your gym is closed, restaurant has switched to take-home only, and why your local salon and beauty parlor is dark. Haircuts themselves may or may not pose a risk of corona-virus infection but the fact that the local authorities have advised against gatherings of 3 or more people and social distancing measures advise keeping 3 feet away from other people means a haircut is unlikely in your near future till the Lock down is lifted.
Like other service industry professionals who have lost their jobs amid the widespread business closures, hairdresser and hairstylists beauticians are in a complicated situation. “Barbers and stylists work on commission-based pay, meaning they get paid per haircut,” “so no haircuts equals no pay.”
To further complicate the issue, since many hairdresser and hairstylists are considered independent contractors, “they technically can’t be laid off to collect unemployment while they’re out of work,”
It also means that some stylists can feel pressure to keep working even if they’re uncomfortable, because they can’t afford to stop. “The people you see working now are doing it because they have to,” which is not advisable.
These closures don’t just affect the hairdresser, but the shops and salons as well. Like restaurants, many of these businesses don’t run with a large profit (or any at all), so closing down is not a decision taken lightly. “If we had the money to pay them, we would be paying them, but we don’t. So we have to try to help them.” As with many restaurants and bars, there is a lingering question of whether many of them will be able to reopen at all says local salon owners.
For a lot of guys and girls, their relationship with their hairdresser is one of the most important in their lives and seeing something like this happen to the salon and beauty parlors and hair professionals they care about can be heartbreaking. Couple that with the fact that they may not know when they’ll be able to get their hair cut, safely again, and it’s a time for heaps of anxiety. Luckily, there are some things you can do to support your barber in these strange times.
In India condition the local problems are many ” there are two categories of hairdresser and beauticians salons. One is advanced unisex salons another local barbershop. In the barbershop people are working for their livelihood, working away from their homes or hometown. Many of them running the salons on rented premises or in the leased salons. They have to pay rent electricity and other maintenance. Their families depend on the earnings on daily basis, which work out to Rs 500/ to Rs 1500/
During the Lock down period they are the worst hit because of no earnings. Special care should be taken care of these people, either by social service by the customer or by the local association of Barber Community , NGO groups. Most testing time for the unorganized sector of hairdresser and beauticians has come now. ” Said Saloon consultant Prakash Bhandary Katla, Bengaluru.
How to Support Your hairdresser or beauticians Right Now
You don’t have to be made of money, or even leave your house, to support your hairdresser beauticians while their shop is closed. These are the best ways to get them through this difficult time.
Reach Out Over Social Media & Advance Booking
“Reach out to your stylist and ask them how you can potentially help. Tell them you’re thinking about them and let them tell you what they prefer. Offering to them some money up front isn’t the move, since some hairdresser beauticians don’t like to accept money without offering a service. Instead, let them suggest what they’d appreciate. It could be as simple as booking a future appointment. If you don’t know how to get in touch with your barber, like if they’re not on social media, contact the barbershop or salon and ask them if you can have your barber’s contact information
Lots of salons and parlors have online booking tools, payment apps these days, so go ahead and book an appointment a few months out. “You can always reschedule if needed, but let them know you’re waiting and ready for the second they open. If they know their income is going to be okay when they can get back to work, they’ll be fine.” If your favorite spot doesn’t do online booking, contact your barber directly and tell them you want to book a future appointment and pay in advance if you can. But if you’re strapped for cash too, and can’t afford to pay up front, at least it’s a good way to assure them they’ll still have business when they get back to work.
Buy beauty products
Some salons who have their own product lines may be able to lean on that revenue stream for a while. If your salon sells products, check to see if they have an online store. Buying your products through them instead of another retailer will help them maintain some sort of income while the shop is closed. Even if they don’t sell products, ask if they have merchandise you could buy. “and any little bit like that helps.”
Send a Tip in Advance.
If your financial situation allows it, consider sending your hairdresser or beauticians a tip through online app or another similar service. Don’t do it out of the blue, but if they’re open to it, tell them it’s an advance for a future tip once you come in for your next cut. (But then still tip them later anyway.)Consider making a donation if you can, with the knowledge that it may mean the shop is that much more likely to reopen.
Offer Moral Support
If you can’t afford to make a donation or buy products, at least reach out and offer moral support. It’s something everyone needs. “Social media has been a great thing,”
Post a shout-out to your hairdresser and beauticians on your feed and let them know you’re thinking of them. If you haven’t already, leave them a positive help review, something every business appreciates no matter what. A little positivity goes a long way.
Buy a Gift Card to Use Later
If you can, buy a gift card to use against a future service. “It’s a donation you can use at a later time, so it’s a great way to be able to support the shop and as soon as we’re open, you’re able to use it,”
What are the responsibilities of salon owners.
After the Lock down is lifted, salons are opened, hairdresser and beauticians should be careful about their health care and maintain hygiene at the center says salon consultant Prakash Bhandary Katla.
Use sterilized tools after every use. Advice to wear mask and hand gloves, change the gloves after every use. Supply mask to customers. Ask them to wear it compulsory. Use different towels for each customer. Stock a dozen or two towels in store. Wash the towels well with detergent properly. Use sanitizer to your hands properly. Don’t allow clients to chat for long.
Try to take appointment and advice customer to come at the allotted slots.
Make the salon and beauty parlors a pleasant healthy safe for your beloved customers.
-Bhandary Varthe
