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How can salon and barbershop owners ensure they’re staying on the right side of the law? WORDS EMMA BENNETT
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here’s a lot to think about when you run your own business – and complying with the latest legislation can sometimes take a back seat to the everyday task of keeping clients happy. But ignoring the law can have huge consequences. NHBF director of quality and standards Caroline Larissey says: ‘It’s vital for businesses to be on top of the law, as it’s not traditionally something hair and beauty professionals focus on. They’re fantastic at working on the shop
floor and meeting clients’ needs, and don’t always have the time to look at this detailed information. That’s why we have a wealth of Member-only resources on our website, which our Members can download and refer to so their businesses are up to date, safe, healthy and legal, and they can continue to focus on the daily running of their salon or barbershop.’ We look at some of the rules business owners must follow to avoid landing in hot water.
Make sure you’re covered All salon and barbershop owners should be insured to protect themselves in case a treatment goes wrong. But having cover is not enough – reading the small print is vital, as most insurers stipulate that specific records must be kept for insurance to be valid. The consequences for not doing so are potentially devastating, as Janice Beck discovered. The owner of Time Out salon in south-west Scotland explains: ‘One of my regular clients attended for her usual facial the week of her daughter’s wedding. The next day – the day before the wedding – she phoned to say she had a reaction. I immediately contacted my skincare provider, who asked if I had a consultation completed – cue panic. The small print says a medical record must be signed and dated every time a client attends, then kept for seven years.’ Without these records, Janice wasn’t covered. She says the rule is a big ask for salon owners, who are wary of putting clients off by asking for this information time and time again. ‘Getting a client to sign a form every
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