PetGroomer.com Magazine
84
October / December 2020
SURVEY DISCUSSIONS
Personnel Management Anyone with some seasoning of experience in the grooming industry knows that finding adequate skilled groomers and keeping them employed is up for a challenge. Is the Covid-19 Pandemic changing the personnel challenges? Yes and no, of course. Estimates of 2,000 to 3,000 U.S. grooming businesses closed or closing are somewhat matched with about the same amount of new grooming businesses opened or opening. One of the key issues for 7% of grooming business owners surveyed was downsizing. In fact, some even said they were happy to have another excuse (pandemic) to downsize with the most popular downsizing goal being 1 groomer/owner and 1 bather. In general, employees are still in need as much as ever. That’s our prediction. In fact, a growing number of grooming employees said converting to selfemployment would not include hiring staff.
ing up and sanitation. Several owners we worked with recently were unaware of the American Disability Act. Employees have the right to not wear masks due to overriding health conditions when properly accompanied by medical documentation. One employer had fired such an employee and is now facing a wrongful termination suit. The owner feared customer retaliation when they saw an employee without mask, and instead of explaining the employee’s rights, she terminated.
While more than 44% of groomers are considering wearing masks continuously in the future even when not mandated, they should know that employees indicated over 55% of employees say they will refuse to wear masks if not legally required. Over 61% of employers in independently owned grooming businesses indicated they are not adequately informed about employment law and resources. More important nearly as many do not publish and provide employee handbooks which should detail nongrooming procedures such as social distancing, sanitation and mask requirements and exceptions. It is time for change here like never before.
The complicated issues are likely to remain with managing personnel. Some employers have found complications in the need for more enforcement of mandates grooming business owners must 84 such as social distancing, Copyright © 2013 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved meet, maskPetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free
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