Hello everybody. My name is Sooz, I'm new to this website.
I have been doing Hairdressing for about 4 years and I really enjoy it, except for one problem... My manager.

I've been working in my salon ever sinced it opened which was back in 2006 and to start off with, I really enjoyed it. There were no negatives about my salon. Everyone was so friendly, down to earth, no bitching (surprisingly!) and as the months went by, my boss set us all a target; to double our income from our wages. For example, say if i got payed £300 a week, I have to double my income from clients. So in a week, I would have to bring in £600 from working (hope that made sense!) My manager used to always book me in with people and she didn't nothing but yet still got paid. Ever since this target has been ruled in every salon, my manager has been taking loads of my clients away. My reputatuion used to be so high and then all of a sudden it dropped by a large amount. I thought I was being a little paranoid so I doubled checked on our weekly data and I was correct, my income lowered A LOT.

A few months back, I overheard my manager speak to one of my clients. I caught her saying "This is REALLY uneven" and as I walked by, she went silent. I think she also knew it was me who did it hence the silent treatment when i walked by. I know that every cut I do, I double check them and I KNOW damn well it is not uneven. I dont quite understand why she is doing this to me. It's not just the one client she has said this to, she's been saying this to A LOT of my clients hence why they all go to her now just because of a few lies she has said about me.

Since this has happened, I have been booking a lot of new clients into my column so I could gain my reputation back up again. After 6-7 weeks, the new client would come back to me for a regular trim to keep the style and maintain its health. Well, not quite. My manager steals them. When they ring up, she doesn't bother asking who the client would like to have it cut with, she would automatically book it in with her, start bullshitting about me again and boom, the client is hers! So basically I do all the new clients and when they become a regular, she takes them away from me which means trying to gain my reputation back up again isn't really going anywhere. If anything, it's going down and down and down.

One of my clients who always asks for me has told me a story similar to this. She said "I rung up a few weeks back asking for you and Em (Manager) said "Oh you don't have to have her, we're just as good.." and I told her I wanted you. Then Em replied "Well she's on holiday" and so I made it with Em and she did something completely different to what I wanted" Another client of mine told me that "someone" had told her that I had left the Salon. I really don't understand why I am being treated like this. I've created new techniques and she asks me how I do it so I share it with her, she then steals the technique off me and uses it on her (originally my) clients. Yet she has the nerve to say it's uneven??

I thought Managers are suppose to promote their staff?? Not lower them..

There's a lot more stories to it but I wont blabber on I really don't know what to do. I'm planning to move, at the moment I am looking for a new salon before I quit this one. I feel like I can do so much better. I'm really determained to further up my career and learn more things, develop new techniques and just be happy at where I work. However, I am scared to move elsewhere, I think of all the clients im going to lose and all the hard work I have done to bring these clients in. But we all have to start from scratch to build a better career and that's exactly what I want.

I've spoken to my friends about this but I can't talk to any of my work friends about this because I know it will go around. So coming from a Hairdressers point of view, what would your advice be? I really appreciate you all spending time reading this and helping me out.

Thank you
Sooz

Hi Sooz,

There are 2 sides to this coin. One you might not like very much, and the other you might accept.
Here's the not so nice bit: We can talk about other people (like your manager etc.) wrecking your life, your earnings or your target all we like but in all honesty, if you were that good and your manager was that bad, I think you would find that 'your' clients would come back to you after trying her. The fact that most of them aren't kind of suggests to me that she might have the edge when it comes to her making people feel good about themselves. I don't mean for you to take this personally, but I see hairdressers cross-section and double check their cuts all day long and they lose clients by the dozen because quite simply your client has better things to do with her day than sit in your chair for hours. It's only a haircut, not rocket science. And thinking about what you've told us I thought of a good analogy; knitting. I can't knit. So no matter how many times I "cross-check" my work, it won't be as good as a competent knitter - know what I mean?
Your clients have ultimately voted with their feet (and a little help), and decided to keep going to your manager for their repeat haircuts instead of you.
Forget about the diehard few who will stick with you forever. Quite frankly, I have clients who wouldn't mind if I farted and moved salons 20 times. Even Osama Bin Bloody Evil Laden has supporters. But if most of your clients are listening to what your manager is telling them and trusting her word over yours...you definitely have a problem.
Here's the good side of the coin: Ask your clients to rebook immediately after you have done their hair. Explain to them that you are getting quite booked up, and will need to see them in around 5 weeks time to trim their new hairstyle. If most of them say "I'll ring you", well then I'm afraid that you have a problem. I haven't seen your work, so it might be that you take too long, have bad breath or are just plain boring to speak with for 45 minutes, but if the situation DOES happen...make sure you are ready to react. If it doesn't happen and they all book in AND turn up, well then it's happy days for you because your manager will no longer be able to lie to them and steal them from you.

See what I mean?

Best of luck!!!



P.S. Other users of the site might be more diplomatic than me, but that's not my style today!

Hallo Sooz.
I see that you have a huge problem but you have to take a little time and think about it. Every problem has a solution and through it we become better (professionals and people).
I also read the reply of Chris and i see that he has a point. Now, don't be sad, when we ask for an opinion we have to be prepared that what we hear we may not like.
There is no doupt that your manager don't like you very much. She might have her reasons but that is not a professional way to show it.
When we are responsible for a job we have to be an example for the personnel, for the boss and the clients. The manager should be the best in everything otherwise the stuff won't respect him/her. Now the clients and the boss may don't care about the true personality of the manager as long as their job is done. And don't forget that people like to hear compliments and most of the time they don't like the truth because it hearts.
Make sure that you do your best at work in every little detail and as quickly as you can.
Give your manager one and single opportunity to discuss the issue (in private) between you and her and solve this once and for all. Listen to what her explanation she might give you carefully and don't get angry with what she says even if at the moment seem like you are to blame. Take time to think of what she says and do your self criticism. When you think about it make your decisions. Then talk to her again (in private) to make your point and ask her for a best way to cooperate. If the problem still exists you go straight to your boss and make your point. Explain the situation calmly and (i 'm sorry to say) be prepared to leave.
Good luck.

Hi Sooz,

Although there seems to be other things going on I too think this is a communication problem between you and your manager and your clients. I agree, with MariaQr that you should ask your manager (in private) what the problem is. Ask her why she is now doing your clients, and if she has any problems with you. Ask your old clients if they were unhappy with your previous service in any way ?

One possible reason that the manager might book a client in with someone else is she doesn't have confidence in your work and wants to retain the client for the salon.

The managers problem is she is NOT being a manager, she is fire-fighting problems and she appears to be doing all this behind your back instead of having a meeting with you to discuss any issues that she has, instead leaving you feeling frustrated and demotivated.

Alternatively; you are a fabulous hairdresser, your clients are fickle, and she is plain profiting off your back. If this is the right version, then and needs to be exposed to her boss, and you need to have more open discussion with your clients to prevent it happing again.

Try and get feedback from your clients with questions like

"have have you managed your hair ok since I cut it ?

Is there is anything I could do for you today that is different from last time ?

Ask your manager for a meeting and inform her of your concerns and do twice as much listening as talking, take notes, that way you can make your mind up later what your options are.

Let us know how you get on