Personnel Management

SURVEY DISCUSSIONS Personnel Management

Anyone with some seasoning of experi- ing up and sanitation. ence 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? 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 Yes and no, of course. by medical documentation. One employEstimates 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. er 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 More important nearly as many do not publish and provide employee handThe complicated issues are likely to re- books which should detail nonmain with managing personnel. Some grooming procedures such as social disemployers have found complications in tancing, sanitation and mask requirethe need for more enforcement of man- ments and exceptions. It is time for dates grooming business owners must change here like never before. 84 Copyright © 2013 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reservedmeet, such as social distancing, mask- Subscribe www.egroomer.com