As we near the holiday season, salon business should start to pick up. Not only will existing clients come in for regular sessions, but you may have new clients who want to look bronzed for upcoming holiday parties and winter vacations. Whatever the reason may be, you will be filling up your rooms faster and more often than you were a few months ago. That’s good news, but it also means you are due for some operational changes at the salon, such as increased staffing, so be sure that certain employee protocols are followed.
First, all salon owners hiring new employees should look for candidates who are honest and seem committed to the business. An essential part of your training program should involve industry certification for all staff members because an industry-specific, certified training course will allow your employees to gain a better knowledge of the indoor-tanning business. Luckily, you have many options—there are a variety of courses that are available in a classroom setting as well as online. (Try the National Tanning Training Institute at www.tanningtraining.com/.) As an added bonus, this important education may also get you a credit on your insurance coverage.
The following are two other employee-insurance matters that are often overlooked.
Hired And Non-Owned Auto Coverage
If you allow your employees to run salon errands during business hours, you will want to add this important coverage to your existing policy, especially if the employees routinely use their own vehicles for these errands. This coverage protects your legal entity if, for example, your employee gets in a car accident and the person they hit decides to bring legal action against you.
Employee-Dishonesty Coverage
This insurance can protect your salon and your business personal property from financial loss due to the fraudulent activities of your employees. Common examples of employee dishonesty include stealing cash, lotions or other retail merchandise and giving clients free tans. Of course, in addition to adding employee-dishonesty coverage, you should always monitor your employees so that any deceitful acts are caught in a timely manner. No one wants to think that their employees steal or cheat, but it happens more often than you might expect.
Whether you are in the midst of hiring new staff or have experienced staff on hand, it doesn’t hurt to review these vital coverages and make sure they are included in your insurance policy. Contact your specialized agent to ensure you have all the necessary coverage for your unique situation.
Jenny Bortman is an account executive for Phoenix-based Universal Insurance. For more information or to get a quick, no-obligation quote, call (800) 844-2101 or visit www.universalinsuranceltd.com.
