A reader writes:
I work at a barbershop that’s below the sales space lease mannequin, so I’m a sole proprietor.
How do I professionally inform folks to cease coming in sick/bringing of their sick children? Ought to I show an indication at my station as nicely? I don’t perceive how a haircut is so vital while you’re sick. Not solely do I hate how being sick feels, I dwell with my 86-year-old grandfather and it’s not in my agenda to get him sick. It’s additionally very inconvenient and places my job in danger due to having to reschedule purchasers.
I had a mother or father deliver their tremendous sick child in on Christmas Eve. He sat within the entrance the complete time, however was there for some time as a result of I reduce the dad and brother’s hair too. The youngsters got here in midway by means of dad’s haircut, so I felt obligated to complete his haircut and the opposite brother wasn’t visibly sick so it put me in a bizarre spot the place I felt I might solely flip down the one. Ideally, I wouldn’t have reduce any of their hair, however folks simply don’t appear to have any consideration for others. It’s occurred to me so many instances this previous 12 months.
Actually, if folks are available sick I believe it’s truthful to refuse service and cost a no-show charge. Even when they gave me 10-minute discover and simply let me know they have been sick, I wouldn’t cost. I don’t know if that’s the way it works although. I’m simply bored with folks getting me sick. It has occurred so many instances not too long ago, and it’s virtually at all times from children.
The best option to deal with that is when persons are making appointments. Whoever takes these appointments ought to reiterate your insurance policies earlier than ending the decision: “We ask that you just reschedule when you’re sick or anybody coming with you is sick. Please name if that occurs and we’ll get you rescheduled.”
If folks schedule on-line, have an identical coverage posted there. Hell, there’s scheduling software program that can require purchasers to verify a field confirming they’ve learn and conform to observe the coverage earlier than the appointment could be confirmed.
When you occur to be the form of barbershop that has an e mail checklist of purchasers and/or social media, you might additionally promote this coverage there. It gained’t attain everybody, but it surely’ll assist to get folks fascinated about it.
Whether or not you could have the flexibility to do any of this stuff as a sole proprietor in a store you don’t personal is a unique query. However I’d guess you could have colleagues who would add their voices to yours in pushing for it.
You’ll nonetheless in all probability get purchasers who are available sick or with a sick child anyway, as a result of persons are thoughtless. In these instances, are you prepared to say, “I’m sorry however I can’t do the appointment when you’re sick/with a sick youngster right here — I’ve to watch out as a result of I’ve an at-risk member of the family. Let’s get you rescheduled”? If you wish to supply a reduction for the rescheduled appointment, that may assist from a shopper relations perspective, however you don’t need to.
For the sake of thoroughness: you’ll in all probability lose some purchasers over this. Some folks might be outraged that they confirmed up and are getting turned away (though that’s much less probably when you warn them in regards to the coverage when scheduling them). So that you’ll need to resolve when you’re okay with that.