In Need of Advice

[M and E !]

What should I do?As most of you have read in the "massage techniques" part of this board I have chronic tendonitis and just overall pain in my arms and hands from massaging. I have told the spa I work for that I can only do 4.5 hours maximum each day. Well I went in for a massage this morning and looked at my schedule and there were 5.5 hours scheduled. I was UPset but I just left b/c the manager was on the phone. Last week was really busy and I had put that one of the days (Friday) I could work "5 hours possibly" on my schedule. Well for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday last week they sceduled me 5.5 for each day. The note that I had put down for Friday was erased- which made me even more mad. Oh yes, and previously that week I put that I could work from 10-4 Friday (I volunteered to work then since it was Valentine's weekend and I am always off on Fridays). Well, someone changed that 10-4 note to 10-5. I am going to have to cancel my last client for today when I get to work unless someone has cancelled. I'm just tired of them taking advaneforum.xxxe of me. Should I write them a letter? I am an independent contractor there-even though the way everything goes I should be an employee. Sooo frusterated. Please help!I just don't want to get burnt out my first year of massaging.

 

[lois b]

If they are dictating your schedule then you are no longer an independent contractor, as that violates the IRS's definition.  It upsets me when companies tell us we are IC's but then try and tell us what to do.  They do this so that we are responsible for the taxes and they don't have to pay their share.   I have one IC that works for me and the rest are employees.  As far as the IC goes I can not tell her when to come in, when to leave, how to schedule, or anything else.  It is her company to run as she sees fit.    I would inform them of your displeasure with the situation.  Ask them to work with you not against you.  Now you have the upper hand because you know they are violating the IC/employee statues of the IRS,  and nobody wants to mess with the IRS.  If they are dictating schedules to others who are IC's then they would be responsible for paying 1/2 of the taxes for every IC the IRS decided was really and employee.  That becomes very sticky situation.  But understand that if you do that it will be a very difficult place to work afterwards (In other words- use it as a last chance move).  Just my input as a clinic owner.

 

[Nichole]

In Need of Advice

yes, I know they are in violation. My sister-in-law does my taxes and she said they fill out a 1099 so they don't have to pay half of our taxes. The thing is that everyone that works there is an IC and everone has a set schedule and you have to ASK to get off work and they hardly ever work with us on that. I know one of the girls tells the manager they want time off and when they give her crap about it she always said "you can't have your cake and eat it too". I'm going to tell her today when I get to work that I DO NOT WANT MORE THAN 4.5 HOURS IN ONE DAY unless I otherwise say. If they schedule me any different I am going to call the client and ask them if it's possible if they can move to a different day. I know that might p!ss some clients off but I have my health to think about. I would rather massae them the next day after I rest than blow my arms out.

 

[napvapDuacY]

Oh, what can I say, this is bringing back bad memories of when I worked at the salon. LOLThey treated me exactly like that and they didn't even give me a 1099, claimed their accountant said I didn't need to be given one. *shrugs*Anyway, they'd pull the same kind of crap on me. And that's why I ended up quitting.  Honestly it was exactly a year ago this week I made that decision. Because Valentine's weekend last year, they scheduled me to do an hour and a half massage... but the person was late for her first service (45 min) and they wanted me to give the client the 1.5 hr massage she'd scheduled, so I did. And then they booked someone for a half hour right after her... when I was in session and then after that they wanted me to move up a client from 3 pm to 2 pm and I hadn't had any lunch yet...  I said no, I'd do it at the regularly scheduled time... so the guy cancelled. *sigh*Then they wanted me to give free chair massage to hair clients who were waiting for hair stylists... I said no, I hadn't had anything to eat yet because of the wierd scheduling.  I showed the gal they hired for the day where to find the chair and paper face cradle covers and went to get something to eat.   I came back ASAP and took my next client early, since he was there.The next morning, I got a call from the salon owner... who "reamed me a new one" as the saying goes, for asking the receptionist what I should do about the first client's being late and not having had time to adequately dry the polish of her pedicure... (i.e. shorten session or do the 1.5 hr as scheduled).  Had I known they'd schedule me someone right immediately after the 1.5 hr massage was over while I was with that first client... I'd have shortened the first client's session.   Whether they approved of it or not.I don't know how many other people would put up with what I did over those 4.5 years of living "on call." But you get tired of living your life at other people's beck and call and having the salon owner treat you like "the ugly stepsister."jswollert, they're going to have to learn that when you are overbooked you are going to hurt yourself... that meaning you can't work at all... and therefore can't bring in $$ for them on a continuing basis.  They always did that to me too, if I needed to talk to the owner, I had to schedule an appt. And then if a hair client wanted to use that time she'd unbook it and claim she forgot about our meeting. It happened more than once!YOU and your abilities are a Limited Commodity... the sooner THEY realize that YOUR time is valuable the better, IMHO.  

 

[airforcewife64]

You will have to stand your ground.  This is your work and future we are talking about.I worked for a spa (as an employee) and was not receiving regular lunch breaks.  I have hypogycemia and can't go many hours without eating something and this was starting to become an issue.  I went into the schedule myself and placed in regular lunch breaks.  Every day at the same time.  The owner at first was irritated, but I informed her that I was not only entitled to the 30 mins for lunch, but breaks that I never got to take.The lunch breaks were never messed with, but it was myself and the nice nail-tech running the front desk.  The owner was too cheap to hire a receptionist.I am an IC for one office now and I make sure to keep them aware that I am in control for my schedule, ect.  I will not ask permission to take time off.  I just block the time out of the book.  If it happens that I need to take off for being sick, the office will contact the clients to reschedule.  My hours are also different than the office hours.  I don't work when the office is closed, but I am not available as late as they are open.  They had issue with this at first, but I just reminded then that I am an IC and that is part of the arrangement.  Do you have an idea of who it changing your notes?  I know it seems obvious but, would it help to make your notes in pen?  Sounds like someone is being childish.  4.5 hours will still be a lot for you with this pain, especially if the appointments are close together day after day.  Make sure that you are getting breaks in between to rest, ice, and stretch.  Breaks in between appointments seem to go unrecognized in most work enviroments.  You have to take care of yourself!  

 

[Poe Bird: Hiding in B&A]

In Need of Advice

It is a LOT easier said than done to just up and say "I won't deal with your controlling my work life anymore" and hope everyone has a happy face on from then on. Soooo....tact is the best policy here. First, I would get with each employee who has contact with the appointment book and politely remind each one about your policy on working hours. Then I would place a small sign in writing somewhere near or next to the appointment book so they can't say they forgot you told them about it (repeatedly). I would also write the owner of the place a letter reminding him of your IC status and letting him know (again) of your decided working hours each day, which should be strictly adhered to on a regular basis. At the same time you are doing all of the above, I would quietly be going around town and seeing where Plan B's set up is so you have another office to move to should everyone there ignore all these professional and courteous attempts you're making to establish and re-establish guidelines. Always nice to have an "out" so leaving your current situation is as much stress-free as possible.Be well,Jen

 

[Poppy]

In Need of Advice

Well, the appointments are made on the computer in Elite Spa Software. I know that there are 3 people that aren't MTs that come in contact with the computer. You can see who scheduled each appt. The owner that lives 3 hours away in another state tries to do "front desk duties" after hours by networking with the office computer. She is never there so she has no idea what goes on. Really erks me. I think it's either the owner or manager disregarding my notes because the receptionist that works in the afternoon is very very accomodating. Today I told the manager that I will only be taking 4.5 hours each day, no more unless I say other wise. I also told the receptionist this too. I moved my last hour appt. for today to tomorrow. I don't work fridays but I felt I needed compensate her in some way because her whole family sees me and I don't want to jeopardize that . I did so by coming in when she needed me to. Too much drama!

 

[Dannygirl]

I'm sorry you are having these problems.The problem you have encountered is one of the largest obstacles we as massage therapists face when working within someone elses establishment.  It is the proverbial rock and hard place.  Statistically speaking, injury to the arms and hands is one of the largest reasons many MT's do not last more than 3 years in the field after graduation.  Many MT's get caught in the position of overworking themselves ending up in great pain with long lasting injuries and no longer practicing as MT's.  The only person who can protect your health and well being is you.  It is apparent that someone (or several someones) at this salon isn't listening to what you are telling them regarding your health.  It is a huge red flag.  IMO, being a productive member of the staff doesn't include injuring yourself in the process.  If you are on a split they are going to continue to schedule you in this manner because it relates directly to their bottom line and your health considerations are, unfortunately, secondary.  One way to address this is to offer to pay rent.My personal recommendation is to take control of your own schedule.  Whenever someone wants to schedule a massage have them call you directly.  This is very easy with cell phones.  "Oh, you would like to schedule a massage?  Great, call JS and she'll be happy to set up an appt with you.  Here is her number."  Have your cell phone number printed on your business cards.  It is a win-win situation for them as well because they aren't having to "waste" time with your schedule.  It is easy enough to upload your appts onto their computer program by yourself.One other option is to give both the owner and manager a print out of the IRS guidelines for IC's -vs- employees.  Point out they are treating you as an employee which means they should be paying taxes on your behalf, covering teh cost of your expenses and supplies as well as providing you a W2 form.  Since this sin't what any of you want -- they need to respect the IC status.  As someone else suggested -- this is probably a last ditch effort before leaving the salon for a better situation.Did your sister offer a suggestion on how to report this and what the ramifications are to the salon?  

 

[laptop_boy537]

In Need of Advice

Guess What! I got in trouble for cancelling my client. I think it's B.S. apparently the lady's husband called the owner and complained that his wife has been moved around on the schedule several times lately. she hasn't been in since 2003! on our computer system it keeps track of a client's appt. history- when they called, appt time and if they cancelled, etc. I was told by the manager that only her and the owner can cancel clients and I told here that there was NO Way I could've done that many clients in a day.

 

[Kristin]

In Need of Advice

Do you pay rent or is it a split situation? That burns me taht you are an IC and you got in trouble for taking care of your schedule. I think it is time for a serious sit down with the owner.

 

[Sikenflossy]

In Need of Advice

I get paid hourly (for the hours I work). I am an "employee" but she says I'm an IC. the only thing i don't have to do is stay up there between appts if they are spaced out, she takes care of laundry, cream, etc.

 

[UCLAfan]

I told here that there was NO Way I could've done that many clients in a day.

Good for you for standing up for yourself.If she is not paying your taxes, you are an IC.  You have control over your business.    

 

[mom-to-be]

In Need of Advice

I'd strongly encourage you (again) to start looking around for another place to lease/work out of. It sounds like your frustrations won't go away as the spa has their way of doing business which contradicts with the way you'd like to do business.Be well,Jen

 

[Huey]

In Need of Advice

What's upsetting to me is the idea of non-massage therapists dictating the number of hours (sessions) a MT has to perform in a day. The owner/schedule neither knows nor cares about the physical demands on the MT. And a disgusted shame on a MT who owns a spa/salon and still requires their MTs to perform more than their MTs' bodies can tolerate!

 

[cmeduck]

In Need of Advice

What's upsetting to me is the idea of non-massage therapists dictating the number of hours (sessions) a MT has to perform in a day.

$

The owner/schedule neither knows nor cares about the physical demands on the MT.

$$

And a disgusted shame on a MT who owns a spa/salon and still requires their MTs to perform more than their MTs' bodies can tolerate!

$$$$

 

[angeleyes]

In Need of Advice

Stand your ground. You are the one that has to live in your body for the rest of your life, not them. You need to work in an envorinment that respects you as a THERAPIST and not just as a product that the spa/office offers. You wont be happ unless you work ina place that is loving and lets you grow as a therpaist and healer. I know about this first hand. Good Luck!

 

[Miss Behavin]

In Need of Advice

Just wanted to add my "ditto" to what Gaspen and Seforum.xxxg wrote.Sounds like it is time for a new job. Good luck.

 

[Karan]

In Need of Advice

Um....EVERYONE (not just a couple of MT's in this thread) are suggesting that it's time to move on to a new and better place of business.

 

[purplecrazyy]

In Need of Advice

Apologies Jen(and anyone else). I was not meaning to discredit the advice of the many other MTs who suggested moving on. Should've been more specific- I meant the "disgusted shame" part :-[

 

[Sagittarius]

I am beginning to have the same problem with scheduling, but I am an employee, so there is nothing I can do.  Our little Nazi receptionist/manager will schedule me as many as can fit in a day. I need to work, but I don't need to kill myself. The steps are enough to do me in. There are 22 steep steps to get to the massage room, and I average 3 trips per massage. I hope my knees hold out! They are usually killing me by the end of the day. I am 46 and not in the best physical condition, but am getting better. If they steps don't kill me, they might eventualluy help me get in better shape. My glutes are much firmer since I started there. ;D