THE ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE FOR SALON OWNERS
Industry to push again for mandatory registration Salons warned to ‘wake up’ about pensions Employers to pay for a third of new-look apprenticeships All you need to know about this year’s Britain’s Best!
July/August 2014 | £3.50
WAVELENGTH
Mandatory registration will not happen overnight, but it is too important to ignore it’s too important for the long-term prosperity and health of our Two years ago the hopes of industry not to give it our best shot. those within the industry pushing For those who think pensions auto-enrolment is an equally for mandatory registration of long-term issue over the horizon, our story on page six is, I hope, hairdressing were dashed when a suitable wake-up call. The finding that the vast majority of the Ten Minute Rule Bill put salon owners are unprepared for this sea-change is worrying forward by hairdresser-turnedbut, frankly, unsurprising. There is little history or experience MP David Morris was narrowly within hairdressing of offering pensions – it’s just not something defeated in the House of on the radar for many, even most, busy salon owners – and Commons. therefore there is going to need to be a big attitude shift over As we reported at the time the next two years. (News, January/February 2012), The problem is many small salons need to be focusing on even if the vote had been passed, this now. In hairdressing there are a lot of workers on low wages it would have been just the first of (and where therefore taking a pension contribution from their multiple hurdles, with a successful bill needing to get through a pay might be an issue), there is a lot of casual, temporary and “second reading” in the House, a committee stage, report stage flexible working and people frequently move from employed to and then a third reading… before overcoming exactly the same self-employed status or just move around between salons. obstacles in the House of Lords. All this means it is not just setting This highlights just what an uphill up the processes and systems for political battle the industry faces if it ‘The position paper will auto-enrolment that is unlikely to be is ever to be successful in establishing show politicians mandatory straightforward, it means managing and a system of mandatory registration. In reality, it’s only going to happen if the registration is an issue that has administering it, too, may be a bit of a headache. So I urge you to keep an eye government of the day actively takes genuine cross-industry support; out for NHF workshops coming to your “ownership” and grants it sufficient area and, most of all, simply begin to Parliamentary time. there is a consensus now, an engage with this process. The Hairdressing Council, as we appetite, for a tighter regulatory Finally, please do check out two report on page five, recognises this is at least a three- to five-year project. To that framework to put what is one of things. First, as we report on page nine, SalonFocus is running a reader survey end, the cross-industry position paper that over the summer to find out what you has now been agreed may be just one step the most important industries think about this, your magazine, and how but nevertheless it is an important one. on our high streets on a more you’d like to see it improved or changed. What the paper does is set out clearly professional, consistent footing’ I’d really value your feedback – good or how mandatory registration might work bad – and so please do take the time in practice, particularly contentious to fill it out. You can find it at www.surveymonkey.com/s/ issues such as the potential cost to salons and how it might be salonfocus. policed. Perhaps even more importantly it will show politicians Second, please do look at our four-page overview of this mandatory registration is an issue that has genuine crossyear’s Britain’s Best competition (pages 17-20). As president industry support; that there is a consensus now, an appetite, for Paul Curry has said (News, page eight) he expects this year’s a tighter regulatory framework to put what is one of the most competition to be a “fascinating” and “inspiring” day, and I important industries on our high streets on a more professional, completely agree. You can apply to compete online, at www. consistent footing. Within this, the support of the NHF, as the britainsbest.me or via the application form within this edition. single largest trade body within the industry, is, of course, vital. You can buy tickets to come along in advance or right up to the Realistically, political attention is going to be focused over day itself. Either way, please do get November 16, the Heritage the next year on the fall-out from the Scottish independence Motor Centre, Warwickshire, in your diary. vote (whichever way it goes), the General Election and (depending on its outcome) a possible referendum on membership of the European Union. Chances are, too, we may find ourselves being governed by another coalition, with all the political musical chairs, in-fighting and distractions that that entails. So it is going to be a question of tirelessly chipping away to build support and alliances and keep the issue “live”. Mandatory registration is not going to happen overnight, but
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JULY/AUGUST 2014 SALONFOCUS PAGE 3
CONTENTS OUR CONTRIBUTORS
News 05 06 08 09 10-11 12 13 14
17-20
22-23 24
INSPIRED
All you need to know about this year’s NHF Britain’s Best competition
BUSINESS FOCUS
Eight steps to get you ready for this autumn’s minimum wage hike Don’t be punished by people power – how to manage bad reviews
TOOLBOX
App, app and away – how a salon app could help your business Taking the long view – Michelle Griffin on the opportunities offered by extensions
25 26
REGULARS
03 09 13 14 16 28-31 32 33 34
Federation backs registration ‘five-year plan’ Salons need to ‘wake up’ about pensions New-look Britain’s Best will be ‘inspiring’, says Paul Curry HMRC getting tougher about tax – including seizing assets Ministers warn ‘expect to foot a third of bill for new-look apprenticeships’ New ‘right to request’ flexible working could put salons under pressure Watch out for ‘VAT registration’ letter, salons are told One shopper in ten is now part of a salon loyalty scheme
Wavelength – Mandatory registration will not happen overnight, but it is too important to ignore HairClips – ‘State of the industry’ survey Movers and groovers – Harry and Avril Walker’s 50-year celebration Beauty spots – new sunbed law Column – Why VAT on children’s haircuts needs to be scrapped Federation Focus – New health and safety guide, and all the regional shows and news Case confidential – a helpline call resolved Events – key dates for your diary @nhfederation – all the online gossip and tweets
PAGE 4 SALONFOCUS JULY/AUGUST 2014
Karen Waldron is founder of the barber shop group, which opened its first salon in 1982 in Wendover, Buckinghamshire. She now runs 15 barber shops across Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire
Richard Wallace is owner of Richard Wallace Hair in Solihull and co-founder of Winning Ways Education, which is delivering the NHF’s programme of business advice events
Michelle Griffin runs the Michelle Griffin Academy and Michelle Griffin Salon in Birmingham. She is this year’s winner of the Pro Hair Live UK Extensionist of the Year Award (Commercial Creative category) and Rebecca Linacre will be a celebrity is employment guest at this consultant at year’s NHF’s Croner, operator Britain’s Best of the NHF’s competition in Legal Lifeline November
Dan Strutt is co-founder of mobile technology company Sappsuma, which offers a discounted app service for NHF members
Front cover The Geordie Blowdry Collection, for Y salon Hair: Angela Lowery for Y salon Make-up: Carly Musleh Photography: Montana Lowery Styling: Keiandra Lowery
SALONFOCUS IS PUBLISHED BY: National Hairdressers’ Federation, One Abbey Court, Fraser Road, Priory Business Park, Bedford MK44 3WH t: 01234 831965 f: 01234 838875 e: sfenquiries@salonfocus.co.uk w: www.nhf.info PUBLISHER Hilary Hall e: hilary.hall@nhf.info EDITOR Nic Paton e: sfeditor@salonfocus.co.uk EDITORIAL CONSULTANT Andrew Don e: sfeditor@salonfocus.co.uk EVENTS Tori Priestley t: 01234 834386 e: victoria.priestley@nhf.info AD SALES Media Shed Ltd 22a Market Hill, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire PE16 6BA www.media-shed.co.uk Advertising Sales Manager Gareth Macfarlane T: + 44 (0) 1354 818010 e: garethm@media-shed.co.uk Design and Production Rick Fraterrigo Matrix Print Consultants Ltd t: 01536 527297 e: rick@matrixprint.com While every care is taken in compiling this issue of SalonFocus including manuscripts and photographs submitted, we accept no responsibility for any losses or damage, whatever the cause. All information and prices contained in advertisements are accepted by the publishers in good faith as being correct at the time of going to press. Neither the advertisers nor the publishers accept any responsibility for any variations affecting price variations or availability after the publication has gone to press. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the permission of the publisher, to whom application must first be made. The views expressed by contributors to SalonFocus are not necessarily those of the NHF, the publisher or its editor. © 2011 The National Hairdressers’ Federation. Material for consideration in this section of the magazine should be submitted on CDROM as high resolution jpeg or tiff files to The Editor, SalonFocus. Submissions should be made on the understanding that the National Hairdressers’ Federation has the right to use the material in any part of the magazine and any of its other publications, promotions or website, free from any copyright restrictions, or appearance fees other than the issue of artistic and photographic credits where applicable. Please include salon name, photographer & stylist.
NEWS
Federation backs registration ‘five-year plan’ The NHF has added its support to a landmark cross-industry “position paper” outlining to politicians, the public and salons how changing the law to bring in a system of mandatory registration for hairdressers and barbers could work in practice. The document has been developed by the Hairdressing Council ahead of a renewed campaign of lobbying that, it is hoped, could bring the issue back on to the political agenda within the next three to five years. Along with the Federation and Council, it is being backed by the British Barbers’ Association, the Fellowship for British Hairdressing, the Freelance Hairdressers’ Association, the Guild of Hairdressers and sector skills body Habia, the Hairdressing and Beauty Suppliers Association and awarding bodies City & Guilds and VTCT. The hopes of campaigners for mandatory registration were dashed two years ago when a Ten Minute Rule Bill proposed by hairdresser-turned-MP David Morris was narrowly defeated (SalonFocus, January/February 2012). But it is hoped the document (see panel right), which tackles questions about what mandatory DAVID MORRIS: registration might PETITION cost and how it would be enforced, will breathe new life into the issue, although campaigners recognise little is likely to happen politically this side of next year’s General Election. Ian Egerton, NHF representative on the council and secretary of London region, told SalonFocus: “There is a real movement towards having sufficient support for the bill to get through Parliament. There has been a tremendous amount of work going on in the background by the council.
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“The position paper is an evolving document, with the next phase being the creation of a business case for registration. But what is important is there is now a general consensus within all the main parties within the industry for mandatory state registration,” he said. David Morris agreed. “The legislation is already there; it just needs to be given teeth. I would like the industry to be writing to the Hairdressing Council to petition Parliament. If you can get to 100,000 signatures you can get a backbench debate,” he said. Hairdressing Council registrar Sally Styles said: “Politically, it has far greater momentum than before. But it is a threeto five-year programme. We will now feed the position paper back to government; we’ve had a very favourable response from many individual MPs. I am more confident than ever.” NHF representative on the council Mike Thornhill added: “It is catching momentum. One day, I am sure, it is going to be presented to Parliament.” Shirley Davis-Fox, council representative for Wales and chair of training firm ISA Training, said: “It is not just a political campaign, although that is of course an essential part. It is also something we need to communicate to the end consumer, trying to educate the public.” NHF president Paul Curry said: “As well as promoting the idea of mandatory registration we need to be encouraging more salons to register voluntarily. It is simple to do and it’s PAUL CURRY: not expensive. PROFESSIONALISM “The more of us who do it, and tell our clients, the more people will realise why it is so important hairdressing is put on a more professional footing. It’s about being the best we can be as an industry.”
How mandatory registration might work At present the Hairdressing Council maintains a voluntary register, as laid out within the Hairdressers (Registration) Act 1964. Under mandatory state registration, this role would extend to keeping a statutory register and being able to set penalties and fines. It would be an offence for anyone to use the title “hairdresser” unless registered under the act. Those already practising would be required to join the register by a certain date from the change in the law, probably up to two years. The required qualification to become industry-approved (currently Level 2 NVQ) would not be sufficient, and it is anticipated that a higher-level qualification would be required (possibly based on the “trailblazer” standards). The council has emphasised the cost of registration would not need to change. It is currently £39. Individual hairdressers, not their employers, would be responsible for registration and its cost. When it comes to enforcement, it is predicted there would need to be an initial period of strict inspection using a team of inspectors. Ongoing enforcement is likely to be via a combination of policing by training establishments (so ensuring apprentices became registered), salon owners (by ensuring they only employ registered hairdressers) and Hairdressing Council inspectors. There would also be a Hairdressing Council website and anonymous phoneline, where the public or employers could report unregistered hairdressers. The penalty for practising while unregistered could be between £200 and £500, with a £500 fine for employing an unregistered hairdresser. The fine for reoffending would be £1,000, with those who refuse to pay risking being prosecuted under the act.
JULY/AUGUST 2014 SALONFOCUS PAGE 5
NEWS
Salons need to ‘wake up’ about pensions autoenrolment, warns NHF But The Pensions Regulator has The vast majority of hairdressers and warned it can take some months to put barbers are completely unprepared for the right systems in place, particularly the arrival of pensions auto-enrolment for small businesses that do not have HR within the industry in the next two to or payroll support, employ people on three years, an NHF survey has warned. a casual or part-time basis, have a high NHF members are being urged to turnover of staff or pay on a weekly or start planning now for one of the biggest daily basis, rather than monthly. employment changes to hit the industry The NHF poll found a worryingly in a generation. high percentage of The Federation is employers – 83 per holding the first of a cent – did not know series of events on when their staging pensions on July 14 date was (the date in Leeds to explain to from which automembers what autoenrolment will apply enrolment is and to them), and so had what it will mean for no idea what they salons (see panel). needed to do Earlier this year, in advance. SalonFocus revealed There was also that the NHF will be widespread ignorance launching a bespoke about what autoNHF pension for enrolment was likely members specifically to cost salon owners. to help salons Almost all – 94 per meet their legal SAVING: SALONS WILL NEED TO START cent – had no idea responsibilities under OFFERING A STAFF PENSION what their employer the new regime. contributions would probably be. Several salons have already shown an The Pensions Regulator has said the interest in piloting the new scheme level of contribution will vary but will during 2014. normally be somewhere between one per During May The Pensions cent and three per cent of an employee’s Regulator published “FAQs” for small qualifying earnings. businesses on how to prepare for the NHF chief executive Hilary Hall arrival of auto-enrolment, guidance said: “What this survey shows is that which is being published on the NHF’s salon owners need to be waking up to website, www.nhf.info the fact auto-enrolment is coming up Under auto-enrolment, employers fast and you need to be actively of all sizes have a new statutory duty preparing for it even if your staging date automatically to enrol eligible workers still seems a long way off. Our advice is into a work-based pension and make don’t leave it to the last minute to sort out an employer contribution towards it. a pension scheme. Employers that fail to do so can risk “We’re delighted that 99 per cent being fined as much as £50,000. of members agree it is a good idea the Auto-enrolment has been in place NHF has put in place a pension scheme since 2012 but is being only gradually for members. Members need to go on to rolled out, starting with the biggest The Pensions Regulator website www. employers first. Many businesses thepensionsregulator.gov.uk and find employing fewer than 30 staff will need out what their staging date is, and start to auto-enrol their staff from the summer of next year (2015) onwards, although the planning from there. Coming along to one of the NHF events to find out more very smallest employers will not need to about what’s involved would also be a begin auto-enrolling employees into a good start,” she added. pension until 2016, 2017 or even 2018.
PAGE 6 SALONFOCUS JULY/AUGUST 2014
Find out all about auto-enrolment! The NHF is holding an event for members in Leeds on July 14 on pension schemes and auto-enrolment. Starting at 7pm, it will cover the following topics: • What your responsibilities are as an employer • How to find out about your staging date • Which of your staff you will have to enrol • What it will cost • What preparations you need to make, for example selecting a pension scheme, checking your software is compatible, monitoring the ages and earnings of staff and communicating with staff • What could happen if you don’t meet your responsibilities • Options for pension schemes, their advantages and disadvantages The July 14 event will be repeated around the country during the autumn in different regions. Dates, times and venues will be announced in SalonFocus and online at www.nhf.info Anyone interested in attending should call the membership team on 01234 831965 or email enquiries@nhf.info
What is auto-enrolment? Auto-enrolment is the change to pension provision that means employers have a statutory duty automatically to enrol eligible workers into a work-based pension and make an employer contribution towards it. • Eligible workers are those aged over 22 and under state pension age, who earn more than £9,940 per year and ordinarily work in the UK. Employers have a duty to assess all their workers for eligibility. • An employer must enrol and pay minimum contributions for any workers aged 16-74 who earn more than £5,668 annually and ask to be enrolled. • Any workers aged 16-74 who earn less than £5,668 and who ask to be enrolled must be so, but there is no requirement to pay contributions for them. The Pensions Regulator’s FAQs can be found on its website, www. thepensionsregulator.gov.uk as well as on the NHF’s website, at www.nhf.info •
INSPIRED
NEW EVENT for 2014
Photographic Stylist of theYear 2014 New to the industry or years of experience? There’s a category for everyone
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MAY/JUNE 2014 SALONFOCUS PAGE 7
NEWS
New-look Britain’s Best will be ‘a fascinating, inspiring day’, says Paul Curry NHF president Paul Curry has urged the industry to get behind this year’s Britain’s Best competition, and show why British hairdressing is still the best in the world. Britain’s Best, now in its third year, takes place on November 16 at the Heritage Motor Centre in Gaydon, Warwickshire. With an array of new competition categories, the chance to meet Desmond Murray, Michelle Griffin, MK and PAUL CURRY: IDENTIFYING NEW TALENT Anne Veck and the announcement of the winners of the NHF’s Photographic Stylist of the Year competition, it will be a day not to be missed, Paul told SalonFocus. “Within both Britain’s Best and the Photographic Stylist of the Year, the emphasis this year is on attracting and identifying exciting new talent,” he said. “I’m really interested to see what comes out from the new categories, particularly how competitors will tread that fine line between doing something stunning and creative in the
competition setting yet keeping in mind the commercial side of their work. “It’s going to be a fascinating, inspiring day. I urge everyone to get Britain’s Best into your diaries and come along and support your favourites, as loudly as you can! Even better, I urge people to get entering and show you have what it takes to be 2014’s Britain’s Best,” Paul added. Julie Wells, chair of the artistic committee and owner of Chop and Change in Addlestone, Surrey, said: “Every year the standard seems to get higher and higher. So if it’s your first time do take the time to look at some of the pictures and think carefully about what you want to do. “The other important message, especially now with the new beauty categories, is that there is a category for anyone and everyone, no matter where your interests lie. As a competition it just seems to get stronger and stronger,” she added. This year’s competition is being sponsored by leading hair brands Sleek and Revlon Professional, hair products firm Nanokeratin Systems, software company SalonGenius and the NHF’s preferred broker Coversure Insurance Services. The deadline for competition entries is November 7, 2014. The fee for entry is £20 for entry to categories that are open to all, £15 for entry to categories only to students and trainees and £10 for entries to nail, make-up and Colour of the Day categories. For spectators and supporters, tickets are £10, either available on the door or in advance through www.britainsbest.me
•
Get ready for Britain’s Best! Your four-page guide to what’s happening and how to enter, pages 17-20. Alternatively, go to www.britainsbest.me
Members call for ‘outdated’ rates to be scrapped NHF members strongly believe the UK’s system of business rates needs to be fundamentally reformed, with more than eight out of ten in a poll calling for the current property-based tax to be scrapped in favour of one based on sales, and which could therefore apply both to online and physical retailers. A poll of members found 83 per cent disagreed with the government’s position that, while business rates need to be reformed, they should continue at their heart to be a tax based on the physical value of a shop or other commercial property. The government in April published a discussion paper, Administration of business rates in England, setting out a
PAGE 8 SALONFOCUS JULY/AUGUST 2014
number of questions for businesses and others to consider about the future of business rates. The paper was designed to generate discussion ahead of the government’s stated aim of reforming the business rates system after the next revaluation, which is due in April 2017. But it made clear ministers believed rates “should continue to be based on rental property values” rather than, as the NHF has long argued, being reformed to reflect the modern reality of the high street. The fact retailers without physical premises, such as online retailers, do not have to pay business rates puts “bricks and mortar” businesses such as
hairdressers at a distinct competitive disadvantage, it has argued. As one member explained: “This system is now outdated; retailers looking to battle with online competitors are at a huge disadvantage by having to pay overrated taxes on occupying a property. No wonder town high streets struggle, and as a result are shrinking.” Others argued it should be changed to a tax based on turnover. This echoed a recommendation made in March by the House of Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Committee, which urged the government to examine whether a system based on retail sales would be fairer.
NEWS
HMRC getting tougher about unpaid tax – including seizing assets By Andrew Don
HAIRCLIPS STOP PRESS
As SalonFocus went to press, the government in the Queen’s Speech confirmed it will be changing the law to increase the maximum penalty for not paying the minimum wage to £20,000 per underpaid employee, rather than £20,000 in total. Ministers had said in February they intended to do this “at the earliest opportunity”.
RATES SUPPORT
Salons are being warned that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is taking an increasingly aggressive approach to businesses that fail to settle their tax bills, with seizure of assets – traditionally seen as an option of last resort – becoming much more common. An analysis of HMRC figures by independent finance provider Syscap has concluded 14 times more businesses were targeted to have their assets seized last year than was the case five years ago. Some 3,657 businesses had assets seized in 2013 through HMRC’s use of the powers of “distraint” – the legal name for asset seizure – compared to just 263 in 2008/9. In all, HMRC raised £95.2m from distraint for VAT last year. Syscap has argued the figures are a clear warning to salon owners that they need to be on top of their game when it comes to VAT, especially ensuring they settle any outstanding bills promptly. There are strict rules about what HMRC can and cannot seize as assets. Assets that cannot be seized include household items, your home and items subject to a hire purchase agreement. Assets that can be seized include stock, equipment, electricals, furniture or any company vehicle. Being on the receiving end of an assets seizure will be not only distressing and disruptive, but could leave the business out of pocket, warned Philip White, chief executive of Syscap. “When assets are seized and sold PHILIP WHITE: WARNING at firesale prices, the
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actual cost to the business far outstrips the original VAT bill. HMRC is only concerned with recovering the tax it is owed, not achieving the best price,” he said. HMRC was unapologetic about its more hardline approach, but insisted asset seizure was still rare. A spokesman told SalonFocus: “We use our powers to seize assets of taxpayers who owe us tax purely when all other avenues have been entirely exhausted. Only a very small number of cases where there is outstanding tax debt are collected in this way.” But Syscap’s Philip White questioned whether this was the reality on the ground. “It used to be much more about negotiating with people that had trouble paying. They had the time-to-pay scheme, which still technically exists, but it is used much less than it used to be.” NHF chief executive Hilary Hall said it was vital salon owners did not put their heads in the sand if they were under threat of a distraint notice. “HMRC will write to you first so you know there are unpaid debts, but if you ignore that it may serve you with a distraint notice, in which case you only have five days to pay up,” she advised. “Our advice is never to ignore communications from HMRC. If you get behind on payments, let it know so you can negotiate an agreement. The more you communicate, the less likely you are to find yourself and your possessions being aggressively pursued by HMRC”. Government figures published in May showed a record £23.9bn had been raised by HMRC in additional tax in the year to March because of cracking down on tax avoidance.
As of April, retail businesses, including hair and beauty salons, with a rateable value of up to £50,000 have been able to receive a £1,000 discount on their business rates for the next two years, under plans announced back in December by chancellor George Osborne. Businesses can also now pay their rates in 12 monthly instalments rather than 10. Businesses should approach their local billing authority for details.
SICK PAY REMINDER
Members are being reminded they can still recover statutory sick pay (SSP) paid to employees, despite the scrapping of a key tax relief by the government – as long as the absence occurred before April. The government in April scrapped the Statutory Sick Pay Percentage Threshold scheme, which compensated employers experiencing higherthan-average sickness absence by allowing them to recover some SSP. The money saved is being used to fund a new Health and Work Service but there is a transitionary period until April 2016 in which employers can still recover SSP that occurred before the start of the new financial year.
VAT CHANGE
Salon owners should note that the threshold for registering for VAT rose from £79,000 to £81,000 from the beginning of April. This means that a business will have to register for VAT if its taxable turnover for the previous 12 months is more than £81,000. Businesses will also need to register for VAT if their VAT-taxable turnover is likely to go over the threshold within the next 30 days.
INDUSTRY POLL
The NHF is joining forces with Hairdressers’ Journal and wholesaler Salon Supplies to carry out a major piece of research into the health of the hairdressing, barbering and beauty industry. The survey, running over the summer, will look at issues such as how confident salons feel; how many staff they employ; costs, prices and wages; their changing high street; what additional services they now offer and what clients expect from them these days. The results will be published online as well as in SalonFocus and Hairdressers’ Journal later in the year.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK…
SalonFocus is carrying out a reader survey to help it better respond to the changing priorities of NHF members. It can be found at www. surveymonkey. com/s/salonfocus and members will get the chance to win £100 of Love2Shop vouchers. Editor Nic Paton said: “We want to make sure we are covering the things that really matter to NHF members. I urge you to take this opportunity to tell us what you think and how we can improve.”
JULY/AUGUST 2014 SALONFOCUS PAGE 9
NEWS: APPRENTICESHIP REFORMS
Ministers warn ‘expect to foot a third of bill for newlook apprenticeships’ Employers will be expected to pay a third of the cost of training apprentices, according to outline plans published by the government on how its new-look employerled apprenticeships will be funded. In a briefing HELLEN WARD: document, the CONCERN government has said employers will pay £1 for every £2 the government puts towards the cost of external training and assessment costs once the new apprenticeships start from 2015/16 and 2016/17. The core amount the government invests will be calculated around five funding bands, with different sectors and industries being placed within different bands – but it has not yet been announced which band hair and beauty will fall into, or when that decision will be made. SalonFocus revealed the government’s broad intentions in its last edition (SalonFocus, May/June 2014) but this is the first time any firm detail has been added. More positively, the government has made it clear that, in return for an employer contribution, it will be pumping additional funding into apprenticeships.
This will include extra payments on completion of an apprenticeship, an “incentive payment” for small business with fewer than 50 employees and incentives for taking on people aged between 16-18. The government will continue fully to fund training in maths and English. Ministers also revealed the industries developing “trailblazer” standards (so including hairdressing and beauty) will be expected to pilot the funding reforms. Hellen Ward, managing director of Richard Ward Hair and Metrospa, who is leading the hairdressing trailblazer strategic group, expressed concern that the industry had not been told about the government’s intentions. “Our trailblazer group was unaware our sectors would be piloting these funding reforms, and it is a concern to us that the government kept us in the dark about such an important development,” she said. “This process needs to be open, honest and transparent if we are to achieve what I know is everyone’s ultimate aim – an apprenticeship system that is fit for purpose and fit for the modern world of work,” she added. NHF members have warned that asking salons to make a cash contribution could have the effect of halting recruitment of apprentices in its tracks.
Barbara McNaughton, who runs Elements Hair and Beauty in Oxted, said: ‘I currently employ eight apprentices in my salon. I struggle to see how it’s feasible for a high street business to build in the additional cost of employer contributions, on top of the wages we already pay our apprentices. Many of the smaller salons will simply stop taking on apprentices.” A poll of NHF members in April also came out against the plans.
Draft standards show future of training The industry got its first sight of new-look employer-developed apprenticeships in May, with the publication of the first draft of the new “trailblazer” standards. The standards have been developed by the strategic group of 10 individual trailblazer hair, beauty and barbering salons or salon chains, plus specialist working groups, supported by the industry standards-setting body Habia and the National Hairdressers’ Federation. The first draft was accompanied by an online survey, which ran across both the Habia and NHF websites, to gain views and feedback from employers across
PAGE 10 SALONFOCUS JULY/AUGUST 2014
the hair, barbering and beauty sector. Three free events, co-run by Habia and the NHF, were also run during May – in Lancashire, London and Nottingham – to explain the draft standards to employers and the principles behind them. The government’s ambition is to develop apprenticeships that can be explained on a single sheet of A4, work for both small and large businesses and which, crucially, will include relevant, practical testing and grading at the end of the training. The industry’s trailblazer group was launched in March, and is one of two
waves of trailblazer employers across a variety of sectors working to develop and introduce new standards and structures for apprenticeships during 2015/16 and 2016/17. That tight timeframe has led the government to push the process along fast pace. Final drafts of the standards, building in feedback from the online survey and events, were due to have been agreed as SalonFocus went to press, in early June. The intention from there was that the standards were due to have been “signed off” by the middle of June. The
NEWS: APPRENTICESHIP REFORMS
The survey was designed to feed into a government consultation on its plans, even though the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills had already announced the principle of introducing an employer cash contribution in December’s Autumn Statement. It also decided earlier this year that employers, rather than training providers, should take direct control of apprenticeship funding (rather than
September/October edition of SalonFocus will include a special two-page report on the final, agreed detail of the standards. Hairdressing strategic group lead Hellen Ward, managing director of Richard Ward Hair and Metrospa, described the process as:“a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create apprenticeship standards that really work for our industry”. George Hammer, chairman of beauty salon Urban Retreat, who is leading the strategic group for beauty, said that the GEORGE HAMMER: pace the government was COMMITMENT
www.nhf.info
funding being funnelled through training providers) once new training structures launch next year. What the April consultation was therefore looking at was how money should physically be got to employers, with the government proposing two possibilities: either through existing PAYE processes or through the creation of a new Apprenticeship Credit account. The level of concern over the plans was highlighted by the fact more than 400 members took part – and opposition was almost unanimous. Members were particularly worried about the idea of a cash contribution and the likely extra administrative burden of managing apprenticeship funding. “If the compulsory cash contribution rate is set too high, small employers will decide they cannot afford to employ apprentices. I employ six apprentices and I wouldn’t be able to do this financially,” said one. “It will deter me from employing apprentices, as I can’t afford to contribute any more than their salary,” added another. Others expressed worries as to what would happen – and who would foot the bill – if an apprentice left a salon upon completing their training, or mid-way through. The fact funding will be held back until an apprenticeship has been completed also raised fears about the possible impact this could have on cashflow, especially if the reimbursement system proves to be slow. An announcement on the government’s preferred funding delivery model is expected to be made in the autumn.
moving at showed the commitment of ministers to making this reform a reality. The industry, he added, needed “to grasp this opportunity”. NHF chief executive Hilary Hall added that the process was about ensuring the industryhad “a pipeline of relevantly trained and skilled apprentices coming on to salon floors”. The trailblazer work is supported by a wide range of other industry organisations, including the Fellowship for British Hairdressing, the Hairdressing Council, the British Barbers’ Association, the Federation of Holistic Therapy and the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology.
Importance of maths skills for hairdressing ‘being overlooked’ Schools are not making it clear enough to young people how important it is to get a decent grade in maths at GCSE if they want to pursue a career in hairdressing, barbering or beauty, research has suggested. A poll by the Nationwide building society has found that 70 per cent of year eight and nine pupils did not believe a C grade in maths or above (Level 2) at GCSE, was necessary for a career within hair and beauty. Government policy is for all apprentices to work towards maths and English at Level 2 (grade C or above at GCSE or functional skills) if they don’t already have these skills when starting their apprenticeships. The stipulation that students achieve Level 2 or above in maths has also been a keen point of debate within the industry during the development of new “trailblazer” apprenticeship standards. While there are many within the industry keen to keep hairdressing, barbering and beauty as accessible and open to all as possible, and so ensuring Level 1 (or grades D-G) is the minimum requirement for maths, this runs counter to the direction the government is wanting to take apprenticeships and vocational education. Irrespective of where it should be set within hairdressing, the Nationwide has argued that poor numeracy levels cost the UK economy £20bn a year. Stephen Uden, head of citizenship at Nationwide, said: “It is worrying that many young people fail to recognise the importance of numeracy skills as a basic requirement for a wide range of future careers.”
MATHS: MISCONCEPTIONS
JULY/AUGUST 2014 SALONFOCUS PAGE 11
NEWS
New ‘right to request’ flexible working could put salons under pressure Salon owners are being reminded that new laws came into force from the end of last month that give all employees with at least 26 weeks’ continuous service a “right to request” to work flexibly. Previously the right only covered those with children aged under 17, or under 18 if disabled, or those who had caring responsibilities. It will mean employees will be able to request a change to their working hours, for example to work part time or as a job share, or to change the hours they work or even their work location. However, the NHF is emphasising to salon owners that, just because an employee can now request this, it does not necessarily mean it must be agreed to. Employers can decline a request, but they have to show there is a legitimate and “reasonable” business reason for doing so. According to the government, the sorts of reasons a business can give to decline a request can include: • That it will lead to additional cost or unreasonably having to reorganise work • That the business will be unable to recruit replacement staff • That it will have a negative impact on the quality or performance of the business or on customer demand • That there is insufficient work available for the periods the employee is asking to work • That there is planned structural change to the business over the horizon To make a request an employee will need to submit the request in writing. The salon owner will then need to request a meeting with the employee within 28 days to discuss the request, and make a decision within 14 days of that meeting. If the request is declined, the employee can appeal, but only on the grounds that the information used to make the decision was incorrect, not because they simply disagree with the decision. An employee will only be able to make one request a year. The gradual ageing of the population is likely to put salon owners under growing pressure to agree to such requests, some experts are predicting, as salon staff increasingly request leave or flexible working arrangements to allow them to care for parents and other dependents. Cases of dementia are forecast to double over the next 30 years as the UK population ages, and a survey of businesses by the business group Employers for Carers, which is supported by the charity Carers UK, found 90 per cent of firms believe dementia will become an increasingly challenging issue for their organisation. And Lucy McLynn, honorary legal adviser for Employers for Carers, has warned salon owners they should not assume that, just because hairdressing is a “young” industry, it will not be an issue for them. “Although there is a lot of talk of caring being an issue that particularly affects an ageing workforce, there is no reason why a younger LUCY MCLYNN: CARING employee shouldn’t face domestic caring issues, whether it is dementia of an older parent, or of a CONCERNS
PAGE 12 SALONFOCUS JULY/AUGUST 2014
RIGHT TO REQUEST: FLEXIBLE WORKING COULD HELP WITH CHILDCARE
grandparent, or indeed a different care issue entirely,” she said. The government’s decision to extend the right to request to work flexibly was motivated by a desire to make the process easier for both sides, and reduce the chances of employees challenging an employer’s decision, she added. Employers for Carers publishes a range of guides on this issue, for employees, managers and employers, including offering advice on the ins and outs of flexible working. They can be purchased through its website www.employersforcarers. org and range in price from £2.50 to £5. The conciliation service Acas has also published a free leaflet, Handling requests to work flexibly in a reasonable manner, which can be downloaded from its website www.acas.org.uk. In a separate development, Public Health England and the charity the Alzheimer’s Society have joined forces in a campaign to help create a more dementia-friendly society, including more dementia-friendly workplaces. The two organisations are encouraging businesses to register as Dementia Friends, meaning they commit to becoming more dementia-friendly and providing support for employees who care for loved ones with the condition. A report published by the Centre for Economics and Business Research to coincide with the launch of the initiative in May concluded that the average person diagnosed with dementia (which affects nearly 700,000 people in England) had been in their current job for at least nine years. Nearly nine out of 10 businesses polled said they either had or would consider letting carers work flexible hours. Offering extended leave, working from different locations and providing counselling and support were other common support options considered. Nearly a fifth said they would even consider helping staff out with the cost of respite care. More details can be found at: www.dementiafriends.org.uk
NEWS
Watch out for ‘VAT registration’ letter, salons are told Salons are being warned to be wary about an official-looking letter asking them for details of their VAT registration, as signing up to it could leave them out of pocket to the tune of nearly £2,400. The letter, sent to salons from a company calling itself the UK Corporate Portal but actually registered in Germany, explains to the recipient that “as part of changes to the EU economic package” all companies have since 2010 been required to provide their VAT registration “on various documents”. As, it says, it is “a publisher of leading internet portals” it therefore requires its database to be updated, with all data published on the UK Corporate Portal. However, buried within the small print it becomes clear information supplied will “appear as an advertisement for a term of three years” at an annual billing rate of £797. NHF member Tom Miller, owner of Renella salon in Falkirk, alerted the NHF to the existence of the letter when he received one in May. He told SalonFocus: “It is put together very officially, and could fool the unaware into thinking it was an HMRC document.” A search of the term “hairdresser” on the Hamburgregistered UK Corporate Portal website (www.uk-corporateportal.com) turned up 3,000 results, most of them UK-based hairdressers, suggesting many hairdressers may already have signed up to appear. When approached by SalonFocus, UK Corporate Portal insisted it was a legitimate online resource for small businesses, with a spokeswoman pointing out
www.nhf.info
that a basic listing was free, with only more advanced listings incurring a fee. “We just offer a service providing businesses with advertisements, and it is solely for people in the UK. You can highlight entries and they will show up on Google Maps and you can update your information,” she added. However, Renella’s Tom Miller was clear what he intended to do with it. “Acting as the company secretary I try to deal with incoming mail quickly, but this is certainly a waste of time,” he said. The letter also appears to be well-known to local trading standards officers. Last year, for example, Worcester County Council was one of a number of local authorities that warned businesses of its existence. Councillor Lucy Hodgson said at the time: “If businesses sign and return the form to confirm their details are correct they could end up tied in to the high costs of an entry in this publication. “Businesses should be aware that they are not obliged to provide any information to the company and entries do not have to appear on the website referred to in the letter,” she added. In a separate development, HM Revenue & Customs has reiterated to salons its advice to be vigilant for “phishing” emails suggesting they are due a tax refund. HMRC business desk spokesman Jan Marszewski said: “If you receive an email claiming to be from HMRC which offers a tax rebate, please send it to phishing@ hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and then delete it permanently.”
MOVERS&GROOVERS WALKER WONDERS
Past president Harry Walker and his wife Avril celebrated 50 years in business in June – and half a century as NHF members. The pair, who run The Sweeney barber shop in Middlesbrough, have been members since they were 19, with Avril being secretary for the North East region for 32 years and Harry serving as national president between 2007 and 2010. “We are so proud to have been members; the Federation has helped us so much over the years, I would tell anybody to become a member,” said Avril. “But I think it is absolutely right we need younger people coming in – in fact to take on the jobs we have done. We are also, of course, very proud of what we’ve achieved as a business, especially to have been in the same property all this time – we’ve decorated the whole shop to celebrate!”
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
London hairdresser Michael Van Clarke has found a novel way to keep his clients happy – he has hired a multi-Michelin-starred chef. David Cavalier, who has six Michelin stars, has been appointed chef at the salon in Marylebone. It will mean clients will be able to get exclusive breakfast and lunch menus cooked to order by David.
TREVOR MITCHELL MEDAL
Congratulations to veteran hairdresser Trevor Mitchell, who was awarded a silver medal by Southern Region in May for his services to the industry. The accolade was made at the region’s spring junior competition in Southampton. Trevor, who expressed himself delighted to be receiving the honour, used the occasion to reiterate to the youngsters the importance of constant practice and striving to improve yourself. The competition was the first for juniors to be held by the region, while its South of England Championships will be held on Sunday November 23, at the Novotel Southampton.
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NEWS
One shopper in ten is in a salon loyalty scheme
FABYOULESS CARD: NEW LOYALTY SCHEME
The value of hairdressing loyalty schemes has been illustrated by research estimating that more than ten per cent of British shoppers now have at least one salon loyalty card, and often more, in their purse or wallet. And the study into consumer loyalty by technology firm CloudZync has argued mobile phones are the future of such schemes, with nearly half (43 per cent) of consumers saying they have at least one salon app downloaded on to their phone. CloudZync is the creator of a “mobile wallet” app called Zwallet, which allows people to make payments in shops, online or over the phone via their phone. Its poll of 2,000 people calculated that UK consumers earn some £59.2m of hairdresser loyalty points each year. Yet, with the average shopper having £7.17 of unused points on cards at any one time, hairdressers were potentially missing a trick, it argued. Andrew Smith, cofounder of CloudZync, said: “It’s not just consumers that are losing out on unclaimed loyalty cards points, hairdressers are also missing the opportunity to build stronger and more loyal relationships with their customers.” ANDREW SMITH: A third of UNCLAIMED POINTS consumers didn’t sign up to loyalty schemes because they felt they already had too many cards in their purse or wallet.
PAGE 14 SALONFOCUS JULY/AUGUST 2014
The main reasons for not using or collecting points were if it took too long to earn benefits or because of simply forgetting to collect points at the time of paying. Separately, a new free hair, beauty and fitness loyalty scheme has been launched that has already attracted some 350 hair and beauty salons, with NHF members among them. The Fabyouless Card offers consumers 25 per cent off or “two for one” deals at outlets that are part of the scheme. The card costs the shopper £29.95 upfront, although this is expected to increase to £49.95, with the rationale being that it will quickly pay for itself through the discounts and deals. For the salon, signing up to accept the card is free, although it must commit to offering cardholders either 25 per cent off or two-for-one offers for a full year. The salon keeps 100 per cent of the transaction JO KENT: OPPORTUNITY with the client and is given a free page on the scheme website www.fabyouless-card.com, through which it can publicise the fact it is a member of the scheme. People can also use the site to make bookings directly with shops. NHF salons that have already signed up include Watkins-Wright Hairdressing in Knaresborough and James Roberts Hairdressing in Manchester, said Jo Kent, Fabyouless managing director. “The point of the Fabyouless Card scheme is to offer any salon the opportunity to promote themselves in a way not possible working in isolation and on a small, local budget,” she added.
•
App, app and away – how to make a salon app work for your business, Toolbox, page 25
BEAUTY
SPOTS SUNBED CALL
New laws tightening sunbed use could be introduced in England. A group of MPs, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Skin, called in May for coin-operated, unmanned sunbeds to be banned in England. NHF president Paul Curry said such a move would be “sensible”, in that it would simply bring England into line with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. “For the vast majority of reputable salons this would be a common-sense and positive change,” he added.
PEOPLE PROBLEMS
Beauty salon owners rate managing employees as their biggest challenge, according to a poll by software company Phorest. The poll of 250 beauty and hair salons and spas found nearly half (48 per cent) rated this as their single most difficult challenge, followed by new clients (32 per cent) and client retention (20 per cent).
CANCER WARNING
The number of people being diagnosed with malignant melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, is now five times higher than it was 40 years ago, the charity Cancer Research UK has warned. More than 13,000 people are now developing the disease every year compared with around 1,800 in 1975, it said. It blamed the rise on a combination of cheap package holidays to the sun and the growing popularity of sunbeds and tanning salons.
EURO POLL
More than eight out of 10 people across Europe consider hair removal to be an “essential” beauty treatment for women, a poll has suggested. The research of 2,400 people by French manufacturer Soft Paris found 79 per cent removed their hair for hygiene reasons, but more than half (54 per cent) also worried about the health implications of hair removal, including ingrowing hairs, lesions and infections.
NIGHT FEVER?
British women spend up to £40,000 in a lifetime on hair and make-up to look good on nights out, a study has concluded. A poll of 540 women aged between 18 and 50 by the online hair and beauty retailer Hairtrade. com found the average woman spent £104 a month, or £1,248 a year in this way. Extrapolating this by 32 years of “going out lifetime”, it arrived at a total of £39,936. The biggest single cost was tanning, followed by nails, hair and eyebrow waxing or tinting, it said.
“ your beauty
hero has landed! ”
COLUMN
Why VAT on children’s haircuts needs to be scrapped Parents kitting out their children this summer for the new school term will pay zero VAT on their purchases… except when it comes to their children’s haircuts. Karen Waldron argues this is unfair and needs to change.
Karen Waldron is founder of the barber shop group, which opened its first salon in 1982 in Wendover, Buckinghamshire. She now runs 15 barber shops across Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire.
I’ve been in this business, of barber shops, for 32 years and, like most of us in this industry, all I’ve ever been interested in is giving an exceptional service in a great environment. However, over the years there’s been one thing I just don’t get, one thing that’s been my biggest bugbear: why is it hairdressers and barbers that are registered for VAT have to charge VAT on children’s haircuts?
Term-time rush
Across our 15 shops we see many, many thousands of young boys every week. Particularly at the end of each school holiday we, naturally, have a lot of parents coming in with their children to get them looking smart for the start of the new term. Often they’ll have come from the shoe shop, with a brand new pair of sensible school shoes, and the supermarket or clothes shop, with a bag full of school uniform or smart schoolwear.
Yet, unlike those retailers – for whom children’s clothing and footwear will be zero VAT rated – we have to pay 20 per cent VAT to HM Revenue & Customs on the kids’ cuts that we offer. That’s, of course, 20 per cent before we even begin to factor in rent, wages, business rates, commission and so on and so forth. I don’t object to paying VAT in principle, even though I strongly agree with the NHF’s position that, as a labour-intensive service industry, hairdressing and barbering gets a bad deal from VAT as it is currently structured. As a company we make all our own products so, short of cleaning stuff, newspapers and magazines, we buy very little. That means, like many hairdressers and barbers, we can reclaim very little VAT, and so are put at a competitive disadvantage to other retailers that are more stock-intensive. However, what really, really frustrates me is that, to keep up with non-VAT registered barber shops, we have to lower a child’s haircut to just £7. When you factor in VAT of 20 per cent that means, in reality, we get around £5.60 per cut, which is barely viable in business terms.
Financial hit
For a busy salon a child in the chair is no different to an adult; in fact often we find it can take longer to do a child’s cut. For the parents it’s not an issue: they probably don’t even realise they are paying VAT on their son’s haircut because,
BACK TO SCHOOL: SHOES AND CLOTHES ARE VAT-FREE, BUT WHY NOT HAIRCUTS?
PAGE 16 SALONFOCUS JULY/AUGUST 2014
in effect, we as the barber shop are the one taking the financial hit. Multiply that financial hit by 15 shops and by the number of under-16s coming through our doors, who now make up a large part of our income, and it becomes a very hard pill to swallow. I can go into any supermarket and buy an array of children’s goods VAT-free. But a haircut for my child at a reputable, VAT-registered salon or barber shop? No, that’s suddenly going to have a 20 per cent distortion on the margin, whether as a mark-up to the client (which is never likely to happen in the current climate) or a financial hit for the business. I’m sorry, I just don’t get it! My VAT bill is enormous. But, to an extent, it’s not about that (well, it is, but not solely). It’s about fairness and consistency. I would like the government to bring children’s haircuts (in other words haircuts for under-16s) into line with other children’s goods in terms of VAT. I’d like the government to recognise this for what it is, an unfair anomaly that puts VAT-registered hairdressers and barbers at a real disadvantage. It wouldn’t be a difficult loophole to close but it would make a huge difference to our industry. If we had a fairer VAT system I could employ more staff and do more good for the communities and high streets in which I operate. Yet every quarter I look at my VAT bill and take a sharp intake of breath. It’s just not fair.
Britain’s B
r o f g n i h t e Som
N FASHIO -UP
THE COUNTDOWN HAS STARTED! www.britainsbest.me
NAILS
ises to be
and prom est is back
n ever...
better tha bigger and
MAKEOUR GLAM FANTASY
AFRO
The National Hairdressers’ Federation has long had a reputation for having the most talented hairdressers, barbers and beauty therapists within its ranks. Britain’s Best is the event where students, trainees, colourists, stylists, makeup artists and nail technicians can all compete for the title of Britain’s Best. Britain’s Best is one of the highlights of the hairdressing calendar. It will be a truly memorable and inspiring day and is not to be missed.
New for 2014... This year, Britain’s Best is introducing an array of new categories, each designed to test the best – and truly show what British hairdressing is made of! There is a completely new panel of judges, and all visitors and competitors will get the chance to meet some of the industry’s leading celebrity hairdressing names.
Meet our star guests! Britain’s Best is honoured this year to play host to photographer and award-winning hairdresser Desmond Murray, top extensionist Michelle Griffin, cutting-edge male stylist and barber MK and brand ambassador and awardwinning celebrity colourist Anne Veck. Competitors and visitors will be able to meet all four throughout the day, discuss the secrets of their success and collect top tips to take back to their salons. The opportunity of a lifetime!
The 2014 competition categories With something for everyone – and open to any salon, not just NHF members – this year’s categories are a deliberate, updated twist on classic artistic or competition categories. The emphasis is squarely on consumer fashion looks; on-trend and creative. Categories such as AfroCaribbean, Fantasy total look and body and nail art also illustrate the breadth and diversity of services – and talent – within the modern-day salon. So be creative, channel your talent and come and compete to be Britain’s Best! Proudly sponsored by Sleek, Revlon Professional, SalonGenius, Nanokeratin Systems and Coversure Insurance Services, full terms and conditions, entry details, ticket information and competition rules can be found at www.britainsbest.me See overleaf for an entry form – fill it in today!
✚✚ ✚✚
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INSPIRED Name Address Postcode
Tel No
Mobile No
Email I am
An employee
/ A Student / A Salon Owner / Self Employed
I work at/train at (name of salon/college) Is your salon a member of the NHF?
Yes
No
Member Number (if known)
Salon/college phone number (if different from above) Competition Number & Category (please tick all you wish to enter)
Declaration
1.
*NEW* Blow Dry – Consumer Fashion Style (students and trainees)
£15
2.
*NEW* Blow Dry – Consumer Fashion Style (open to all)
£20
3.
*NEW* Afro-Caribbean Male – Consumer Fashion Look (open to all)
£20
4.
Hair-up – glamorous night on the town (open to students and trainees) £15
5.
Male fashion look – on trend (open to students and trainees)
£15
6.
*NEW* Fantasy total look* (open to all)
£20
7.
*NEW* Body art* (open to all)
£20
8.
Hair-up – glamorous night on the town (open to all)
£20
9.
Male fashion look – on trend (open to all)
£20
10.
Female fashion look – on trend (open to all)
£20
11.
*NEW* Afro-Caribbean female – consumer fashion look (open to all)
£20
12.
*NEW* Nail art* (open to all)
£10
13. The bride – conventional or non-conventional (open to all)
£20
14.
*NEW* Bridal make-up (open to all)
£10
15.
Colour of the day (open to all)
£10
In submitting my entry I confirm that I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the competition rules and acknowledge that finished work may be displayed on the internet or in print, and I give my consent to this. I also agree that copyright will be in the name of the National Hairdressers’ Federation. I further authorise that my name, the name of my salon/college may be attributed to this work. I AGREE
*Preparation areas will be provided, each area will be supervised at all times to ensure the rules are adhered to.
Categories open to all:
£20
Categories open to students and trainees:
£15
Nail and make-up categories and Colour of the Day:
£10
BUSINESS FOCUS
Get ready for this autumn’s minimum wage hike Salons have just three months to get their businesses ‘minimum wage-proof’ before rates go up sharply in October. SalonFocus outlines eight key steps you should take. If you haven’t already started to prepare for this October’s rise in the national minimum wage (NMW), now’s the time to get focused. The government in March accepted recommendations by the Low Pay Commission that will see all the NMW rates going up sharply from October 1 (see panel), with the prospect of more to come next year. At the same time the government is getting much tougher about enforcement, putting in place a harsher regime of “naming and shaming” as well as much stiffer penalties and fines. This means, as the NHF highlighted in the last edition of SalonFocus, salon owners need to be using the time wisely between now and October to ensure their businesses are “minimum wage proof” when the new rates come in. Taking the following actions will be a good idea.
1
2
SUPPORT TOOLS: THE GOVERNMENT’S PAY AND WORK RIGHTS HELPLINE WAS LAUNCHED BY THEN EMPLOYMENT MINISTER LORD YOUNG (LEFT) IN 2009
Get compliant
Review your payroll
This sounds obvious and, indeed, is obvious. The point here is you need to recognise getting and staying compliant must become a priority for your business, if it hasn’t been already. Under the government’s tougher enforcement regime penalties for not paying the wage have now risen from 50 per cent to 100 per cent of total underpayments while the maximum penalty has increased from £5,000 to £20,000. The government in the Queen’s Speech in June brought forward legislation to make the £20,000 penalty apply to each underpaid worker.
Again this is a pretty obvious place to start, but is critical to get right. Even if you’re paying an accountant or payroll firm to do your payroll for you, the buck for getting it wrong will stop with you. So don’t assume you can just pass it over and forget about it. Make it your job to check they’re doing their job and that your employee hourly wage rates are correct. Minimum wage rates are, of course, broadly age-based (although the apprentices’ minimum wage is more complex). So your systems need to be able to take into account (and alert the user) if someone has recently had a birthday and is now eligible to move up to the next rate. It will pay, too, to review whether casual or part-time workers are being paid the appropriate rate and, indeed, whether you have any workers who may not need to be paid the NMW, for example if they are self-employed. Other things to consider are whether you pay a higher rate for working weekends, evenings or bank holidays, as a so-called “premium rate” (or a rate of pay above the normal rate) will not count towards the NMW. However, if someone is simply earning different rates of pay for doing different jobs or duties in the salon, this does count.
PAGE 22 SALONFOCUS JULY/AUGUST 2014
34 5 67 8 Look at your contracts
Including a stipulation in your employee contracts that they will be paid the national minimum wage will not, in itself, ensure this is actually happening. But it will send out the right signals and help to focus minds. The NHF’s standard employee contracts include an obligation that a salon pays the national minimum wage. So use them.
Use support tools
The NHF, of course, should be a first port of call if you have a query about the minimum wage. The Legal Lifeline can help with employment and legal questions, while the membership team can offer support in a wide range of employment and business areas. NHF membership also offers access to a range of valuable online tools, including an employment calculator that can be used for calculating minimum wage entitlement. But it is worth being aware of other
BUSINESS FOCUS tools. The government has since 2009 operated a Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0800 917 2368 and has online guidance at www.gov.uk including an online calculator. The conciliation service Acas also offers online tools and guidance at www.acas.org.uk, again including a calculator, specifically designed to help employers prepare for a rise. Getting in a professional can be helpful, whether it’s an accountant, payroll specialist, HR or legal adviser. It might be worth investigating whether it is possible to join forces with other salons to pool the cost of, say, a one-off consultation.
Make sure you using any offsets or exclusions correctly It’s worth remembering various offsets, wage deductions or payments can affect NMW pay. For example, if you deduct the cost of, say, a uniform or salon tools from an employee’s pay or, similarly, if you require the employee to buy tools, equipment or a uniform from you to do their job, these reduce their NMW pay and will need to be factored in accordingly. But if a deduction is classified as being
for your own use or benefit, for example to pay for meals provided by you, this does not count towards NMW pay. It is also worth being aware accommodation provided by you for an employee can be taken into account when calculating the wage. This “accommodation offset” is currently calculated at £4.91 a day or £34.37 a week. But if you charge more than this, the
Communicate the change
Review your outgoings
While it is the government’s job to communicate changes about national minimum wage rates, it can be a good idea to be proactive within the salon about communicating what the new rates will be, both to managers and employees. Among other things this will show you’re on the ball about the minimum wage, you’re being transparent about it and you’re being committed to being a “good” employer.
Most salons are pretty hot on keeping prices down but, given that you know wages are going up, it makes sense to revisit whether there are savings you can make elsewhere. Can you, for example, get a better deal on your fuel or electricity bills, your insurance or from your suppliers? Is there even, as the economic climate improves, any scope to raise prices, perhaps not across the board but at least in some areas of the business?
Look at wages elsewhere
It’s unlikely to be a popular message but, with the minimum wage going up, now may be a good time to be reviewing wages elsewhere in the salon. One of the themes of the NHF’s evidence to the Low Pay Commision in recent years has been how continually rising NMW rates are eroding differences in pay between senior and more junior staff. Obviously, the bottom line is going to be what you can afford in the current climate. But losing a valued member of staff because they are disgruntled that their pay has not gone up when that of the junior in the salon has will be costly and potentially disruptive.
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difference is taken off the employee’s pay. This means the higher the accommodation charge, the lower a worker’s pay when calculating the minimum wage. If an accommodation charge is at or below the offset rate, it does not have an effect on the employee’s pay and if the accommodation is free, the offset rate is added to the employee’s pay. Again, if in doubt, take professional advice.
WAGES: REVIEW WHAT YOU’RE PAYING
National minimum wage rates from October 1, 2014, will be: Adults £6.50 up 19p from £6.31 18-20 £5.13 up 10p from £5.03 Under 18 up 7p from £3.72
£3.79
Apprentices* £2.73 up 5p from £2.68 (*under 19s and for first year)
JULY/AUGUST 2014 SALONFOCUS PAGE 23
BUSINESS FOCUS
Don’t be punished by people power For the upset client social media offers untold opportunities to vent their anger. Richard Wallace looks at how to manage complaints and bad online reviews. As a stylist in the 1980s, I worked for a salon owner whose complaints procedure was to escort the client to the front door with an “eff off, and don’t come back”, sending them scurrying down the road with their soft natural body wave bouncing about like Leo Sayer in his “I feel like dancing” video. Nowadays, of course, none of us would agree with that. Quite apart from anything else, clients today have Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Wahanda and all the other social media resources Richard Wallace to vent their anger on once they get home. is owner of So, if you find yourself on the receiving end of Richard Wallace negative comments or complaints, either online Hair in Solihull or in person, how should you respond? These are and co-founder my steps for dealing with complaining clients: of Winning Ways Education, which •• Invite them into the salon, at a time of their convenience, but ensure they are seated away is delivering the NHF’s programme from other people. •• Let them vent their feelings; they will have of business rehearsed in their head what they are going to say advice events. and will need to offload it. •• Empathise. Ask them something like “what needs to happen for you to feel happy with your hair/about your last visit?”. It’s worth investing effort in trying to achieve this because, nine times out of 10, when you turn a complaining client into a happy one, they become a client who sings your praises. •• If you do not agree with the complaint, stay calm and controlled. Take them through things from your perspective and gauge their response; you’ll know how they feel from their body language. •• Even if you don’t feel the complaint is totally fair, offer them something – remedial work for free to “improve” the cut or look, a next appointment for free or at a discount and so on. This is not necessarily to accept responsibility but just to show you’re a customer-focused business. •• If it looks like they are really about to “kick off”, I would offer a full refund. Again, this is not to accept you did anything wrong but simply to say, firmly, “please take the money you spent and next time spend it elsewhere”. I know a lot of salons won’t do this out of principle. But in my experience this scenario happens so infrequently (or certainly should) it is a small price to pay, and the customer is much less likely to go away and criticise you publically. But what should you do if you find the client has simply left a bad review online, whether or not they’ve also “had it out” with you personally?
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If you read nothing else, read this… •• Take the time to listen properly to clients with a grievance •• Try to offer solutions but, if it seems unsalvageable, offer a refund •• Engage directly with social media complaints •• If a comment is unfair or vindictive ask for it to be taken down
Make direct contact
In the first instance try and contact them directly through the social media channel (privately is probably best and in a constructive and non-confrontational way) to see if you can find a resolution; in other words work through all the tactics above. If this doesn’t work it may be your only option is to put it down to experience and move on. However, if the complaint is nasty, vindictive or false then it is worth complaining to the relevant site and asking for it to be removed. Remember, libel and defamation laws apply as much to online comment as they do to printed comment elsewhere. If you are suddenly getting a lot of bad reviews check you are not being sabotaged by disgruntled ex-employees, other salons or someone with an axe to grind. Again, if you feel you are being unfairly “trolled”, complain to the sites directly.
Be proactive
Ultimately, of course, the best way to deal with negative online criticism is to ensure it’s not happening in the first place. By being more proactive online you can often encourage feedback and comment of the right sort. This could include running social media-based promotions where a client gets something for leaving positive reviews, tweets or posts. You should also be encouraging your team to be actively involved with salon marketing, for example posting up great “before” and “after” shots, posting new styles and generally getting as much great stuff out there as possible. But do make sure you are vetting all material before it goes out – your brand and reputation are precious. Finally, one “no no” in my book is mixing the personal and professional when it comes to social media. By all means post socially, but keep your work and personal sites separate.
GREAT SERVICE: BUT BE PROACTIVE ABOUT COMPLAINTS OR BAD REVIEWS
TOOLBOX: RELATIONSHIPS
App, app and away Forget about mailshots and flyers, with a salon app you can send out instant news, promotions, rewards and last-minute deals at the touch of a button. Dan Strutt explains how. As an industry it’s probably fair to say hairdressing has not been the fastest at embracing the internet. But that is now changing rapidly, and is being largely led by the popularity and growth of mobile and smart phones. Dan Strutt is coHairdressers love founder of mobile their mobiles and, technology more importantly, so company do clients. More and Sappsuma, more customers are which offers a downloading apps every discounted app day and using their service for NHF phones while waiting members for their appointment or even while in the chair. People expect to be able to download apps for their favourite shops, activities or experiences. Within this, salon apps, while still pretty new as an idea, are becoming more popular and more common. First off, however, it’s worth explaining the difference between a mobile app and a mobile website. A mobile-enabled website, as it sounds, is simply a website set up in such a way that anyone accessing it on their phone can easily read, search or look for information, images and pages. There are specialist companies that can help you create and run this sort of website.
Loyalty incentives
A mobile app, which is what we make, is a tool a client downloads on to their phone that will offer them specific features – loyalty rewards, incentives, promotional messages, salon searches and so on – about their favourite salon. One of the other great things about a salon app is you can do “push” notifications. These are SMS messages or alerts, a bit like texts, but which, unlike texts, don’t use the phone’s network. They have a limit of 122 characters but can be a great way to get an instant
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message around to all your clients who have downloaded the app. For example, it could be you have a last-minute cancellation on a Friday morning. You can quickly send around a push alert highlighting it. It’s a direct, convenient link to your clients. So, how do you get started? A mobile app is not complex, nor is it expensive to do. An app, at least our apps, will be custom-made for your business, so incorporating your logo and branding, your graphics, menu of services, price-list and so on. You simply supply a design brief, pictures, images and themes and some words. There will also be a discussion about what you want the app to be able to do and what you want to achieve. From there an interactive demo model is created; it normally takes around three to four weeks from signing up to an app that can go “live”. Salons also get a welcome pack including stickers for their mirrors and posters to promote the app to clients (see panel).
than conventional flyers or loyalty schemes) you’re getting a direct link to your most loyal clients. You’ll be able to monitor how the app is going down through a “dashboard”. This will show how many people have downloaded it, how many push messages have been sent or read, how many calls or booking requests have been made through the app and so on. You can also see whether you get a spike of interest around certain sorts of messages or at certain times of day, and then tailor your messages accordingly. It can give you an invaluable insight into what your clients are looking for and what most interests them.
Regular messages
Once you’ve taken the plunge, what should you do to make sure you’re getting the most out of your app? This, naturally, is going to vary from business to business. I’d recommend sending out a push message every couple of weeks just to keep your app in customer’s minds. It is also a good idea to encourage your stylists to talk about it; you should get them to download the app on to their phones to get familiar with it. You could perhaps offer a reward to the stylist who gets the most downloads within a certain time. The fact it is free for the client is normally a great selling point – as a client you are simply being rewarded for your existing loyalty; there’s really no reason not to download it. And from your perspective, for the price of, essentially, a packet of shampoos a month (and therefore much cheaper
NHF APP: CLIENT CONVERSATION
How the NHF app works The NHF/Sappsuma package offers an app for a discounted start-up fee of £70 plus VAT plus £30 per VAT a month running cost. It includes full design, with features including recommend-a-friend, booking and customer requests, salon gallery, business contact and location information, full service list and special offers. Point-of-sale promotional material and push message marketing information also come as standard. Owners get an “analytics” package that allows them to monitor and record how the app is performing, with reports provided, and access to an administration area.
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TOOLBOX: EQUIPMENT
Taking the long view More than a third of women now regularly wear hair extensions, the website Hairtrade.com reported in May, although 90 per cent also keep their’s a secret. Against this backdrop, SalonFocus asked upcoming Britain’s Best celebrity guest Michelle Griffin for her take on the market and the opportunities it offers. How is the extensions market looking from your perspective, is it growing? Yes it is growing. As a business the education is really increasing. I have educators who are interested in learning more about how to apply hair extensions from a variety of locations such as York, Ireland and local salons. What is the business opportunity for salon owners in extending into this area? Very huge. Salon owners do not just want to learn the basics; they really want to develop their skills further and also utilise the add-on services they
can offer. If salons are offering a hair extension service, they will now have to stock temporary, semi-permanent and permanent hair extensions as the demand for extensions has increased so rapidly. It really is something salons need to get on board with as it adds services to their price list. They must offer a service for semi-permanent and permanent extensions, and it is great for boosting profits as you can put a 50 per cent markup on to hair extension services. How do you support clients with extensions at this time of year who are heading off on their summer holidays? What do you tend to advise in terms of maintenance? Our clients come in every six weeks for a maintenance service as they would a colour service. This allows us to check the extensions are in good condition and the client has been looking after them. The client will also buy hair products specifically advised for them by their stylist to keep extensions glossy and
in good condition throughout their holiday. As a part of our service, we like to see clients straight after their holiday, as they may have been in the pool or the sea, which can have detrimental effects on their extensions, as salt and chlorine can dry out hair. We check the extensions for particularly dry areas and replace these sections of hair and also give a conditioning treatment. Any predictions for the market going forward? There are new systems out there that may become more prominent on the market, and which make it quicker and easier to apply hair extensions. Hair generally is better conditioned now, and quality and service from manufacturers is constantly improving. People are also looking for more creative packages and bespoke courses when it comes to education.
Michelle Griffin runs the Michelle Griffin Academy and Michelle Griffin Salon in Birmingham. She is this year’s winner of the Pro Hair Live UK Extensionist of the Year Award (Commercial Creative category) and won Best Midlands Salon in the Your Hair Awards in 2013. In the same year she was made a fellow of the Fellowship for British Hairdressing and was a finalist for Midlands Hairdresser of the Year in the British Hairdressing Awards. She will be a celebrity guest at this year’s NHF’s Britain’s Best competition in November.
This summer’s trends Straight, sleek, flat, streamlined hair is back in a big way on the runway this season, and that will ultimately find its way into everyday fashions, says Warren Holmes, UK creative director for Sleek. “We anticipate the consumer will utilise clip-in extensions to maximise this and get the full potential out of their hair. “They are added instantly and with ease; the thought of being able to dramatically change one’s look in seconds, adding length, still inspires me. Nothing is unachievable when you’re working with extensions! I’m particularly fond of the Sleek Hair Couture Clip-in because of its durability. “As the summer months arrive, anything with colour will work. Pastel colours are prominent for this year’s festival season, but not everyone wants to turn their look pale blue or pink permanently. Extensions allow clients to have a play with their style and have fun without it being permanent.” MICHELLE GRIFFIN SPACE COLLECTION: EXTENSIONS CAN BE BIG BUSINESS
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ADVERTISING FEATURE
Hair extensions - a world of possibilities
The business of hair extensions has grown significantly in the UK over the past ten years and is now a multi-million pound industry. Richard Scott, sales manager at Sleek, looks at how salons can take full advantage of what can be a lucrative revenue stream. In the early days, 90 per cent of Sleek hair extensions were sold to the AfroCaribbean market, while only 10 per cent went to the Caucasian market. Today that figure has changed dramatically with Sleek now selling equal volumes to both markets. The market has moved from a predominantly Afro-Caribbean client base, mostly in the large urban areas, to what it is today – a real mix of salons, large and small, Afro-Caribbean and Caucasian, right across the country. These salons cater for their clients’ every need, weaving in hair extensions, fitting clip-ins, applying pre-bonded hair and micro-rings, as well as a large range of hair accessories. However, despite this growth in the hair extensions business, some salons are missing a trick. They are not taking full advantage of the financial opportunities hair extensions can offer them. All too often, salons are content to let their clients just bring in the hair extensions, which they have bought elsewhere, to have them fitted. What they should be doing is providing clients with a complete package – supplying the hair extensions, fitting and styling them and providing the all-important aftercare service. Here at Sleek, we try to encourage salons to offer the complete package to boost their all-important sales figures. We provide weave training through our top training stylist Dionne Smith – she very much sets the industry standard.
We also stock a huge range of hair extensions and accessories to cater for pretty much every taste, from triple-wefted Remy hair, to tongable synthetic hair, to clip-ins, to half wigs and other accessories such as fringes, buns and ponytails. There are so many different ways of styling the half wigs, buns and ponytails and so many different styles and colours to choose from. Our UK creative director Warren Holmes has put together some fantastic videos showing how to make the most of these versatile accessories. We are soon to launch our new range of pre-bonded hair and micro-rings, which will offer salons even more reasons to stock our hair extensions. All too often salons also ignore the potential of wigs as a revenue stream. Many salons only see wigs as something customers wear when they are undergoing treatment, when in reality they have become more mainstream – they can be fitted and styled just like hair extensions. So we can see hair extensions, wigs and accessories offer salons a whole world of possibilities… the opportunity just needs to be seized!
FEDERATION FOCUS
New health and safety guide for industry The NHF has been working with one of the UK’s leading bodies for health and safety in the workplace to develop a range of co-branded guides to help salon owners stay legal when it comes to health and safety and ensure they are keeping both employees and clients safe. The guides are being published by the NHF and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IoSH) and will become part of IoSH’s Safe Startup range. The first guide, simply called Hairdresser: straightforward information and practical tips to help you sort health and safety, was published in June. Further guides covering barbering and beauty are currently under development, and are expected to be published later this year. The 14-page hairdresser guide covers
AGM notice Notice is hereby given that the 72nd Annual General Meeting of the members of the National Hairdressers’ Federation will be held at the Holiday Inn Regent’s Park, Carburton Street, London, W1W 5EE on Sunday, October 5, 2014, commencing at 11am. The purpose of the meeting is to receive and approve the annual report and accounts for the year ended December 31, 2013, to appoint the auditors, the installation of the national officers and to consider any other business of a general character of which due notice has been given. By order of the National Executive Council. H Hall, Secretary General, July 2014. Members are respectfully requested to submit questions arising from the accounts to simon.thomson@ nhf.info at least seven days before the meeting.
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a salon owner’s legal responsibilities. These include: having a written health and safety policy in place; being able to show you are proactively managing risk; speaking to and training employees in safe working and health and safety; having safe facilities and equipment; planning for first aid, accidents or ill-health; having adequate insurance and displaying the Health and Safety Executive’s “safety law” poster. The guide also examines common health and safety issues likely to be faced by salon owners. These include: staff skin problems; the use and storage of chemicals; musculo-skeletal issues (such as aches and pains and bad backs); slips, trips and falls; the safe use of electricity (especially around water); lifting and carrying; fire safety; issues around working temperature; working with computers and working on your own (for example if you are a mobile hairdresser). NHF chief executive Hilary Hall said: “Health and safety can often get a bad PR. But, as this guide shows, salon owners have very specific, and quite strict, legal responsibilities when it comes to health and safety.
SAFETY GUIDE: CO-BRANDED
“We are therefore very pleased an organisation as well-respected as IoSH has joined forces with us on such an important issue. It means salon owners now have a clear, concise guide specifically focused on the health and safety challenges they may face in their day-to-day lives. I urge all salon owners, however experienced, to read a copy.” The NHF will be sending out free print copies of the guide to members, on request. But it can also be downloaded, free of charge, from the NHF website, at www.nhf.info/HSguide.
Allergy alert cards proving popular with salons The NHF has despatched nearly 1,600 packs of its Allergy Alert Colour Record Cards since they were launched last autumn. The ground-breaking initiative was unveiled in September 2013 as a joint project between the NHF and the Freelance Hairdressers’ Association in consultation with the Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association. Up to May, 1,575 packs had been despatched to salons, latest statistics from the Federation have shown. The packs of 100 cards are free (apart from £4.50 postage) through the NHF’s online shop, at www.nhf.info, or over the phone, on 01234 831965. At the same time, members are being reminded the NHF has developed an online “FAQ” to explain to people how the cards work and how to get the most out of them. This can be found at: http://members.nhf.info/advice-andresources/fact-sheets/ The cards are designed to show a
salon a client’s allergy test history and the frequency with which they have been tested in the past and give salons a clearer picture of whether an allergy alert test is required prior to their next visit. Clients answer a series of “yes/no” questions around various consultation issues, such as colour brand used, whether a base shade level or colour combination has been used and so forth. The card can be used by salons that have insurance in place with Coversure Insurance Services, the NHF’s preferred insurance broker.
ALERT CARDS: DEMAND FROM SALONS
FEDERATION FOCUS
Step Up and Shine winners announced Hannah Pettinger, of NJUK Beautiful Hair in Chesterfield, and Ollie Vines, of Heaven Hair in Salisbury, are the lucky winners of this year’s Christofer Mann Step Up and Shine Scholarship, it was announced in May. The scholarship, a joint initiative between the NHF and the Fellowship for British Hairdressing, provides a year’s free education to an up-and-coming hairdresser in memory of industry legend Christofer Mann, who was always passionate about training and inspiring younger generations of hairdressers. The winners were announced at this year’s Fellowship President’s Night, hosted by Errol Douglas. This year, however, it was decided the standard of entries was so high that it was only right to award the scholarship to two students. Hannah and Ollie have already benefited from a mentoring session with industry training expert Debbie G, who will help them plan their education year. They will also experience training from hairdressing leading lights such as Alan D, Michelle Griffin and Patrick Cameron as well as from ghd and with experts from Vidal Sassoon. Apart from Hannah and Ollie, the finalists this year were: • Melissa Timperley, Vidal Sassoon, Manchester • Eden Smith, Bliss Hair, Loughborough • Harry Watson-James, Ocean Hairdressing, Cardiff • Sophie Rane, Louise Kristina Beauty & Hair Studio, Brighouse • Thomas Hughes, En Route Hair & Beauty, Wakefield • Andrea Williams, Locks and Lashes, Torquay Hannah said: “I would recommend anyone to try and win the Step Up and Shine Scholarship. It’s a massive achievement and an honour to be able to say you’ve won this amazing opportunity. If you are passionate about hairdressing and education don’t hesitate to get involved and put yourselves forward. “I want to learn about the hairdressing craft in more depth, expanding my knowledge through gaining new skills and techniques. In ten
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HANNAH PETTINGER AND OLLIE VINES: HONOUR AND AMBITION
years’ time I hope to be doing some more session styling, being able to work alongside iconic figures as well as staging and showcasing my own work, which would be amazing,” she added. Ollie said he hoped the scholarship would improve his hairdressing skills and knowledge, allow him to build relationships with great hairdressers and educators in the industry and help him in meeting some of his big ambitions. “I am a big dreamer, so I’d say I’d like to receive a nomination for British Hairdresser of the Year! Realistically I would love to have my own salon, to be based in London and have the opportunity to work on shoots, television, and have a busy column to run,” he said. “The President’s Night was such an amazing experience and I got to meet some incredible people,” he added. For more details on the Step Up and Shine Scholarship go to: www.nhf.info
Why I joined the NHF… Jane James, who owns Evergreen Hairdressers in Wolverhampton, explains how the Federation has supported her business through thick and thin. I wouldn’t dream of not being a member. The NHF provides me with up-to-date information and a great deal of security. Evergreen Hairdressers has been in our family for 85 years. Today, we have a dynamic young team of six and I am proud to own a successful, modern and evolving salon. Being a member of the NHF gives me peace of mind; I know there is someone to turn to for advice and to stay abreast of the latest trends. At the beginning of the recession, we had to make some redundancies. The NHF’s Legal Lifeline was very helpful and ensured we did it accurately, fairly and without a hiccup. I was on the phone weekly to the lifeline during the whole process. The NHF’s factsheets are excellent and help us stay on top of the regulations. Whenever we’re assessed for school work placements, they always say our health and safety procedures are the most up-to-date and comprehensive they have seen. All of it is downloaded from the NHF website! Finally, the NHF’s magazine SalonFocus is the only industry magazine I actually read!
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FEDERATION FOCUS
Countdown starts to Welsh Hairdressing Awards NHF Wales has opened the registration process for its Welsh Hairdressing Awards, which will take place this November. The deadline for salons or individuals to register to enter the awards is August 31, and will be through the NHF CARL HINDER: Wales website, www. FLAGSHIP EVENT nhfwales.co.uk The voting and nomination process will then begin from September 1, with the winners announced on Sunday November 2 at the Angel Hotel in Cardiff. Votes and nominations will be open both to NHF members and non-NHF salons, and are free, apart from the standard cost of a text message. Tickets for the awards night are also now available for purchase, and can be
bought online at www.nhfwales.co.uk Region president Carl Hinder said the plan this year was to link the awards to Cardiff Fashion Week, with the region’s artistic team supporting the event throughout October. “Models will be present at the awards to demonstrate the hard work and skill of the team,” he said. “NHF Wales will also be working with our sponsors and partners to develop an annual award that we hope will become the flagship hairdressing event in Wales,” he added. The awards themselves are intended to celebrate hairdressing, beauty and barbering talent in Wales. “We want to give the real judges of our industry, the consumer, a chance to say who they think is the ‘Best in Wales’,” added Carl. Separately, as SalonFocus went to press, the ever-popular Welsh Open Hairdressing Championships were due
to be held in June, this year incorporating beauty categories for the first time, alongside hairdressing and barbering. The championships, held in conjunction with the Wales Hair and Beauty Show, were set to take place on June 29 at Cardiff City Stadium. Entries this year were expected to come from as far afield as Denmark and Ireland, giving the championships a truly international flavour, said Carl. “The new categories have added a new dynamic to the event, as has the interactive ‘shoot ‘n’ send’ competition, which asked competitors to take everyday snaps of their best work on their smartphones and send in their pictures to be judged. The finalists then recreate their looks on the competition floor for scrutiny by the three international judges,” he added. Further details about the November awards can be obtained directly from Carl, at carl@nhfwales.co.uk
London names winners of its ‘Incredibles’ London and Home Counties region announced the winners of its NHF Incredibles competition in May. The competition aims to give first and second year learners, as well as young stylists, an opportunity to develop their hairdressing and presentation skills through mentoring via award-winning industry leaders and an Incredibles art team. There were two categories of winner, Newcomer and Future Generation. In the Newcomer category, the winner was Sigrid Jakobsen, of Simon Webster Hair in Brighton, and the runnerup was Lauren Murray, of Alan Lawrence in Barnet, London For Future Generation, the winner was Alexandra Taylor, again of Alan Lawrence, and the runner-up was Lucy-May Hawkins, of Style Hair and Beauty in Leighton Buzzard. The lucky finalists all got to spend a “Look and Learn” day with British Hairdressing Awards-winner Darren Bain, from the creative team at HOB Salons, at the Schwarzkopf ASK
Northern championships prove a hit The Northern England Championships were held in April, and proved popular with both competitors and audience. The event was held at the Marriot Hotel, Gateshead on April 27. A full list of winners can be found online at www.nhf.info but included Rebecca Hollings, of John Gerrard
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Academy in London. Alongside this, the new NHF Incredibles Art team comprises: • Leigh King, of Alan Lawrence in Barnet, London • Gemma Evans, of Atelier Hairdressing and Beauty Rooms in St Albans • Jonny Eagland, of Billi Currie, London • Gemma Munro, of Spirit Hair Company, High Wycombe • Kelly Bradley, also of Spirit Hair Company, High Wycombe • Emma Star, of Wyndham Hair, Hornchurch The team was due to meet last month to begin work on preparing for a photo-shoot in September with celebrity photographer and hairdresser Desmond Murray. NHF London and Home Counties president Mikaela Martin said: “All of our finalists had a great day with our guest presenter and we would like to thank Darren for his time and congratulate the winners, and indeed all our finalists, for their hard work.”
Hairdressing Group in Northumberland, who won the first prize in the Colour Creation category, Tariq Mehmood, of Turf Impressions in Burnley, who won Best Barber, and Niamh Stephens, of Tate Hair and Beauty in Middlesbrough, who won the First Time Blow Dry category. “It was the first time we had held the championships at the Marriott, and we felt everybody enjoyed it and a good day was had by all,” said North East region’s Avril Walker.
FEDERATION FOCUS
A celebration of Central England talent…
HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR: GEORGINA MCDOUGALL
NAIL TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR: HOLLIE LOCKE
This year’s prestigious Central England Hairdressing Awards were held at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham in May, and celebrated talented stylists, students, beauty therapists and others from across the region. The awards, which have been running since 2011, were this year dominated by Syer Hair & Beauty of Sutton Coldfield, which won four awards (see below), including salon of the year. Owner Kenneth Syer also received a lifetime achievement award. Overall a massive 12,000 votes were received from clients and peers. The recently-formed NHF Central England artistic team, mentored by Allyson Clewlow, gave its first performance. The team’s aim is to provide help, support and inspiration for young talent in the region, and its creative, highly professional performance did just that. Long-standing member and NHF stalwart Matt Bridger received a much-deserved accolade of being made an honorary member for his work in serving the Federation at both a national and local level for more than 35 years. This year’s winners were: • Nail technician of the year – Hollie Locke, Syer Hair & Beauty • Wholesaler of the year – Aston & Fincher • College lecturer of the year – Marion Toland, City of Wolverhampton College • Student of the year – Jessica Langridge, Salon 2000, Stourbridge • College of the year – University College Birmingham • Beauty therapist of the year – Hollie Locke, Syer Hair & Beauty • Colourist of the year – Paul Watts, Paul Watts Hairdressing, Kettering, Oundle and Uppingham • Junior hairdresser of the year – Dawn Matthews, Headmasters Salon, Coventry • Salon of the year – Syer Hair & Beauty • Hairdresser of the year – Georgina McDougall, Syer Hair & Beauty
… as Blackpool shows off ‘exceptional’ work
COLOURIST OF THE YEAR: PAUL WATTS
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The popular Blackpool NHF Competition took place in the Winter Gardens in the city in March. Organisers were delighted the competition attracted more than 300 competitors, including being well supported by colleges and training academies as well as individual salons. The work was “exceptional”, said organiser Eileen Clough, with the work of juniors and those in the gents categories “well up on last year”. She added: “A new competition ‘Through the ages’ had a great response and the ‘drag’ competition, now in its second year was super fun.” National president Paul Curry presented some of the prizes, while judges included immediate past president Mark Coray, Wendy Harris, Emma Pierce, MK, Graham Smith, Will Farren, Kenyon Yates and Kerry Weir.
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CASE CONFIDENTIAL
Tackling a senior-level bully Rebecca Linacre, employment consultant at Croner, operator of the NHF’s Legal Lifeline, analyses a reallife call to the helpline and the advice subsequently offered to the salon owner. An NHF member recently contacted the Legal Lifeline when they found themselves in a difficult position. Their salon manager was suspected of acting unprofessionally and bullying other members of staff, including other members of the management team. Initially a complaint was made verbally by a staff member with regards to how the manager was behaving. The manager was spoken to and subsequently, because of the severity of the allegations, was suspended with the agreement of the lifeline pending a full and thorough investigation. The lifeline advised that during the investigation staff and management provided statements as to what they felt had been taking place within the salon. It was alleged the manager permanently had her door closed, with notes stuck to it advising staff not to approach as she was busy; she ignored staff; refused to make eye contact in meetings and advised employees that “just because it was a priority for them did not mean it was a priority for me”.
Lack of support
Furthermore, there had been instances where she had put a hand up in front of someone’s face and told them, “not now, I’m busy”. She also had a reputation for failing to provide help or support to fellow colleagues. Finally, it was alleged she particularly disliked one individual and had even told a colleague it was her business to ensure she failed at her job so that senior management would “see her for what she really was”. It was agreed with the Legal Lifeline that the manager would be invited into an investigation meeting to respond to the various allegations made, with a letter sent during her period of suspension and a meeting scheduled.
PAGE 32 SALONFOCUS JULY/AUGUST 2014
At the meeting the manager put forward the defence that “everybody was out to get her” and that it was, effectively, a witch-hunt against her. To complicate matters, the evidence gathered during the investigation had not been completely clear-cut. Some managers and team members had argued she wasn’t a bully as such, it was just “her way”; that she was confident, assertive and knew what she wanted, albeit motivated by power, authority and status.
Bullying behaviour
Overall, however, the majority of the statements appeared to indicate her behaviour could be seen as bullying, and that she was only pleasant with those who she deemed did not pose a threat to her or who could help in what she wanted to achieve. Once the investigation had been completed the investigating officer reviewed the evidence and decided there was a case to answer. The lifeline recommended a disciplinary hearing be arranged and the manager duly attended. Again, she argued she had been misunderstood and adamantly denied bullying colleagues. Other potentially mitigating factors were her length of service and her position within the business.
Relationship breakdown
Nevertheless, considering all the evidence against her, the disciplinary officer could not see how the employment relationship could continue based on what had come to light. This was not only because of the fact there were allegations of gross misconduct but because it was clear there had been a breakdown of trust and confidence, something that of course
goes to the heart of any employment relationship and, when breached, can make that relationship untenable. Therefore the decision was taken summarily to dismiss the manager for gross misconduct. This decision was taken and communicated via letter after the hearing had been adjourned. Although the manager was given the right of appeal, she chose not to exercise this, and the salon never heard from her again. But it was a happy ending, at least, for the salon because the employees were now able to work in harmony once again.
What the Legal Lifeline offers you: • •
24/7 employment-related queries Advice on commercial matters, 9am-5pm Monday to Friday
Access to the Legal Lifeline is available by calling 01234 831965. Alternatively NHF members can log on to www.nhf.info. A summary of cover can be found on the reverse of your legal card carrier or by logging onto www.nhf.info. The NHF operates a “fair use policy” for the lifeline. Members making an excessively high number of calls within a 12-month period may be charged £20 plus VAT per call. All calls to the Legal Lifeline are recorded and monitored by Croner. If your chosen membership category does not include employer support service or your membership is unpaid at the time of any call a charge of £20 plus VAT will apply for all such calls made.
EVENTS
EVENTS Please send your events to the NHF at events@nhf. info by July 7 for September/October, September 8 for November/December and November 10 for January/February. Updated events listed on www.nhf.info NHF EVENTS
OTHER
14
July What auto-enrolment means to employers, Leeds. Contact: NHF head office on 01234 831965 or events@nhf.info
31
July Closing date for Photographic Stylist of the Year competition. Details at: www.nhf.info
24
September London Region Photoshoot, Goldwell Academy, London. Contact: Mikaela Martin on 07500 704705
5
10
2
16
October NHF annual general meeting, Holiday Inn Regent’s Park, London, W1W 5EE. Details: www.nhf.info
November Welsh Hairdressing Awards, Angel Hotel, Cardiff. Contact: Carl Hinder on 07931 518642
Business Events The NHF is during 2014 running a series of three business-focused events: • Delivering a great client experience • How to make your salon more profitable • Managing yourself and your team Anyone interested in attending these should contact NHF head office on 01234 831965 or events@nhf.info
How to make your salon more profitable:
OCT
20 - Chelmsford
www.nhf.info
NOV
3 - Chelsea 10 - Edinburgh
November Cheshire Championships, Romiley Forum, Stockport. Contact: Eileen Clough on 01253 406834 or Stephen Coles on stephen@coles29orangehome.co.uk
November Britain’s Best 2014, Heritage Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire. Details at: www.britainsbest.me
Managing yourself and your team:
JULY
7 – Peterborough 14 – Worcester
NOV
4 – York 11 – Edinburgh
SEPT 22 – Derby
Delivering a great client experience:
JULY
1 – Darlington
NOV 24 - Swansea
SEPT 1 – Reading
JULY/AUGUST 2014 SALONFOCUS PAGE 33
SOCIAL MEDIA All the latest hairdressing-related tweets, posts, pics and comments.
@nhfederation National Hairdressers’ Federation If you could get your hands on anyone’s hair whose would it be? Cassi Ronnie White Boris Johnson. Paul Curry The Queen. Anthea Papaspyrou Sarah Beeney. What’s going on with that? Leigh Davies Bratton Britney... Angela Young Victoria Beckham. Cristiana Marques Madonna! Terri Ward Ed Sheeran! Sharron Liddle Angela Rippon. Lee Kerr Jodie Marsh. Waleed Ishaq Emma Watson. Alison Ibbotson Kate Garraway!
National Hairdressers’ Federation Do you run your business with a family member? How do you balance your personal and professional relationship? Amber Kirsten Bird There’s myself, mum and dad. We segregate parts of the business. A couple of heated discussions now and then, but that keeps us on our toes! Teresa Mcaleese Run our business, two sisters, small salon in Woking, Surrey. Yes, we have spats but we trust each other wholeheartedly. We are always there for each other. Giovanna Kennedy I have worked with my daughters for eight years now and I wouldn’t have it any other way. As I trust them, it means I can have holidays and we also close for two weeks in the summer to have our family hols together. My daughter always rings me in the evening, as we do not have time to talk like mother and daughter in the salon. :) Allysonjayne Clewlow Work alternate days! Don’t take work home. Have staff meetings weekly. Train up good staff you can trust. Any business meetings do away from home. Try to make time for holidays together. Get involved in things together outside of work. Happily married for 18 years and worked together for 23 years. Richard McCabe I have worked with my wife, daughter and son. Medal needed! My wife is now off the floor and works on the business side, works great!
Twitter followers: 3,922 Top Tweeter: @ElPradasSalon
PAGE 34 SALONFOCUS JULY/AUGUST 2014
Facebook likes: 8,883 Top Liker: Heavenly Hair
National Hairdressers’ Federation What is the dress code for your members of staff? Do you have a uniform? Paul Watts Hair Our uniform is basically wear what is on trend and inspirational. Kirsty Barrie No uniform, Medusa Hair like us to feel comfortable and wear our own clothes that represent our personality and style! Bella Vida We wear what we want to reflect our personality. Hairdressing is about fashion and trends. As long as we look smart anything goes... within reason. Carol Brown Black, white, grey and can add 10% colour. Phillippa Gigg Black and white, but just about to change to black lace top, so nice for summer but still smart. PerfectlyPosh Hairdesign We only wear black and white as a dress code... it looks more professional than wearing any colour.
Connect with us and have your comments and tweets in the next issue of SalonFocus
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