Unit 207 Develop and Maintain your Effectiveness at Work

Unit 207 Develop and Maintain your effectiveness at work

Learning Aims

• How we can work effectively in the barbering and hairdressing industry
  

• How we can work to improve our performance at work in a salon or barbershop
  

• How we can work effectively as a part of a team

Learning Intentions

​By the end of this session, you will be able to:

• Outline key roles in the salon or barbershop and discuss who you can ask if you need help or advice at work

• Demonstrate positive behaviour when receiving feedback to ensure personal development

• Work to create and retain a harmonious working environment

​Working in the industry

The barbering and hairdressing industry is a fast paced and competitive environment where the client is at the heart of everything.

Many barbershops work on a "walk ins welcome" basis which often results in busy periods of time where clients are queueing for the barber chair. Even appointment based barbers with full diaries will have clients that will wait to see if they can be accommodated. It is important that barbers are prepared from open of business to close to ensure they that they can meet the demands of their clients.

Hairdressers often work on appointment only basis however, they have the same pressures to meet client and calendar demands with added health and safety pressures with increased chemical services.

A mix of quality skills, safe and organised working environment and good customer service is paramount in the making of a successful industry professional whether a barber or hairdresser.

Careers in the industry

​Self-employed

Stylist

​ Trainer or Assessor

​Employed

Stylist

Session or

Freelance

Stylist

​Product Developer

​Personal or

Specialist

Care Services

​Employed Stylist

• Will usually work from one shop/salon or within a group of shops or salons all owned by the same person/people

• Employment conditions and job role will differ according to the needs of the employee and the barbershop/salon.

• Employed stylists will receive a basic salary depending on their skill set and experience. Many stylists will also receive commission/bonus for each client or retail sale they achieve

• Their working hours and appointment expectations will be set out by their employer

​Self-Employed Stylists

• Work in lots of different ways. They may buy or rent a premises to set up their own business. They may "rent a chair" or establish a commission based agreement with a shop owner that covers utilities and products in an established business. They may also travel to peoples homes, hospitals or care homes.

• Self-employed stylists will usually determine their working hours, appointment expectations, product use and service prices.

• Self-employed stylists must ensure that they are formally insured and report their finances to the HMRC to avoid heavy penalties

​Session Stylists

• Are freelance stylists that are hired for specific jobs usually in fashion, photography, tv and film. Most session stylists will also have women's hairdressing and barbering skills to be able to meet all the demands that the role requires

• Session stylists could work for agencies or be self employed

• Session stylists usually have demanding schedules and are expected to travel where ever they are needed by the client

• The financial and creative rewards for a Session Stylist can be very significant

​Barbering and Hairdressing Educators

• Trainers and assessors usually work in colleges and private training providers.

• Some assessors work for agencies that will visit barbershops or salons and work exclusively with apprentices

• Educators work full and part time to pass on their skills and knowledge to future stylists

• Educators have to carry out further training to achieve appropriate teaching and assessing qualifications

• Educators can receive attractive rates of pay and often have frequent opportunities for continued professional development

​All of these roles will involve a job description...

Your job description will outline your title, working role and the responsibilities that role will include. It will also provide details on:

• Who you should report to for daily matters

• Who you should speak to if you have a grievance

• The names of anyone who is to report to you

• The aims and objectives of the barber shop

• The limits of your responsibiltiy and who to speak to if faced with a situation outside of these

• The requirements expected of you to:
  Protect confidential information
  Follow health and safety policies
  Comply with equal opportunites and other
  important legislation

• The standards of work you must provide

​Employment Contracts

Contracts are very similar to job descriptions in that they outline your roles and responsibilities however, a contract is a legally binding agreement between barber and employee.

.

They will normally include your name, address, job title and details on:

• Normal working days and hours

• Payment per hour/annum and how it will be paid

• Period of notice required to leave

• Holiday entitlement

• Pay entitlement if unwell

• Maternity/paternity entitlement

• Entitlement/obligations to pension payments

• Procedures for performance appraisal and reviews

• Procedures for disciplinary, appeals and grievances

​JUNIOR STYLIST/BARBER

​SENIOR

BARBER

​SENIOR

HAIRDRESSER

​SENIOR

COLOURIST

​APPRENTICE HAIRDRESSER

​TRAINEE

BARBER

​SALON OWNER

SALON ​MANAGER

​What a salon hierarchy might look like.

He has just completed his level two in barbering at college and has recently been employed as a Junior Stylist at a busy barbers with a large team of staff.

When he joined the barbershop he signed a contract and was given a employee handbook that outlined his job roles and the roles of others at the barbershop.

​

​This is Samson

Multiple Choice

Samson wants to share photos of his work online however, he isn't sure if it is his responsibility to post to the barbershop Instagram or if their receptionist has final say on what is posted - who should he check this with?

• Another Junior Barber

• The receptionist

• His Manager

Multiple Choice

If Samson's manager hadn't been available - what could he refer to that outlines other staff responsibilities in the barbershop?

• Google

• A fellow employee

• His Employee Handbook

Multiple Choice

Samson returns to work after a day off and notices that someone has used and broken his personal clippers. No-one has said anything to him and now he doesn't have the equipment he needs for the day. He feels that he has been taken advantage of on his day off - what should he do?

• Confront his colleagues aggressively until someone owns up

• Say nothing but remove his personal equipment on days off

• Consult the grievance procedures in his contract and speak to his boss

• Take someone else's clippers

​Disciplinary, grievance and appeals procedures

These procedures should be outlined in your contract and/or staff handbook. Copies should also be available at all times to staff.

It is a legal requirement that employers maintain specific and fair procedures for dealing with disciplinary actions that might arise.

-

If they are not followed appropriately, the employer may face legal action

​DISCIPLINARY

​GRIEVANCE

​APPEALS

​What does each procedure mean? What might it involve? Any thoughts?

A formal issue or complaint that you have against another member of staff or a breach of your rights. Eg, a refused doctors appointment.

Your grievance should include specific details of who or what your grievance concerns and should be recorded on a written document

It should include any evidence that you have gathered to support your complaint.

The procedure of the grievance should be outlined to you including when it will be considered and who will be involved in the proceedings. When the results will be decided and what the potential outcomes could be.

​Grievance

A result of a breach (or suspected breach) of your staff code of conduct. Eg, persistent absences.

-

Your rights must be clearly explained and explained in writing.

-

You must be provided with clear, written reasons for the action against you.

Disciplinary

​Appeals

All disciplinary and grievance procedures should provide the right to appeal - particularly if more serious findings are decided such as, the proceedings have resulted in you being dismissed from your job. The full details of proceedings, including appeals should be outlined and available to you in your contract or staff handbook.

Appraisals and reviews are times when you and your manager to get together and discuss your strengths and areas for development. They offer an excellent opportunity for self-assessment and to discuss with your manager opportunities for continued professional development and training.

Appraisals and reviews should be viewed as positive moments - a two way communication process where you can discuss any barriers to your development.

Performance appraisals and reviews

Self assessment

Self assessment is a key part of personal development. It is important to be receptive to feedback and honest with yourself about the possibility of personal development. Successful barbers never stop learning. We will receive feedback on a daily basis - from our manager, our peers, our clients as well as formal 1:1 appraisals and reviews.

• Take a moment now and consider some targets as a group that would improve your personal and group development.

Reacting positively to feedback

It can be hard to listen to feedback - especially if it feels like we have done something wrong. It's important to make efforts to react positively:

• Listen carefully.

• Ask questions to clarify.

• Discuss any issues arising.

• Show positive communication skills.

• Act on the agreed advice

​Dealing with conflict

Conflict is inevitable. It is important that we learn how to deal with conflict effectively in order to protect ourselves and the reputation of our business.

• Keep calm and avoid raised voices.

• Listen to their views.

• Stand back and assess the situation.

• Contain your own reactions.

• Be constructive in putting forward your views.

• Do not be aggressive.

• Try to agree/negotiate actions to improve the situation.

Scenario one...

You have an appointment with a new client. You carry out the service and suddenly, they express that they are really unhappy with what you have done. They are shouting and it's causing a stir in the salon.

What should you do?

​

​Consider this...

Scenario two...

Your boss has taken you aside to talk as you have been late three days in a row for work. You feel really immediately frustrated because you're having a tough time at home at the moment and you don't need this extra stress!!

What should you do?

​

​Consider this...

​"Team Harmony"

Life can throw us lots of challenges and work is a constant for most of us. A positive and collaborative working environment can make the difference between sink or swim when we are faced with challenges. If everyone works hard to have shared values - being polite, professional and respectful - your team will always feel valued. A happy and positive working environment enables us a barbers to get out job done and will make clients feel welcome and valued too.

​"Team Harmony" - How do we achieve it?

• Keep private matters private and never gossip.

• Treat others how you wish to be treated, with respect and empathy

• Be patient and considerate - particularly to trainee barbers and new staff members who likely feel very nervous

• Make efforts to celebrate others, not tear them down

• Offer assistance and be willing and open to accepting assistance too

• Be alert and reactive to changes in your colleagues

• Be proactive about where and how you can help

​Harmony = Productivity!

If you work hard to create and retain a harmonious working environment you and your team will hollisitically have better productivity. Your barbershop or salon will feel happier, your clients will feel happier. You will also feel more willing to retain and improve your skills with different methods of continued professional development and this will likely result in commendation from your manager.

-

How could you work to continuously develop your skillset?

​Experimenting! Trying things out of your comfort zone!

​Following educators on social media

​Attending exhibitions and shows

​Attending workshops and seminars

​Regularly updating skills and techniques

​Watching your peers

​Taking part in competitions

​Reading trade magasines and journals

​Carrying out refresher training with colleges

​Being open to targets set by your manager

​Grow, grow, grow!

Not only will CPD help you to retain and develop your own skillset, they will allow you to stay educated on current industry trends. This is an imperative part of staying up to date with your clients wants and needs.

However, it's important that you don't disregard traditional techniques and services - we should be open to a wide demographic of clients to ensure that we have a constant flow of clients.

If we limit ourselves - we limit our clients!

Let's test our knowledge

Multiple Choice

Why should continued professional development (CPD) be carried out throughout our careers?

• To ensure we meet with salon policies

• So we can give clients the most up to date advice and guidance

• So that trainee barbers don't get better than us

Multiple Choice

Why is important to meet productivity targets?

• To promote business growth for our team and manager

• So that you can look better than your colleague to your manager

• It's up to the manager to ensure that we are productive

Multiple Choice

Why is it important to react positively to feedback?

• To comply with our terms of employment

• It's not! Only I can critique my own work!

• Feedback helps us to progress and grow

Multiple Choice

Who is the best person to identify training oppurtunities?

• The receptionist

• The manager

• The client

Multiple Choice

True or false - You do not have the right to appeal a disciplinary result?

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Why is it important to avoid gossiping in the barbershop?

• To ensure a harmonious working environment

• You may get found out and become unpopular

• It's a social environment - you should be able to say what you want!

End of session

Over the next week, use the worksheet to maintain a diary to evidence how you have contributed to maintaining and developing your effectiveness in Koko Salon.

• How have you helped to ensure a harmonious working environment for your team?

• Have you made efforts to offer and accept assistance?

• Can you self-assess and identify targets where you could improve your efforts towards a harmonious environment to ensure continued professional development?