With a chill in the air, the leaves are falling fast now — and washing our hands more. November and December are not only a time for festivities but also a time for the flu. The 2019 flu season began in October and experts predict it will be a severe one.
That may give salon and spa professionals pause. After all, they operate high-traffic businesses and staff is in close contact with clients all day. It’s a formula that can expose staff and clients to the flu and other bugs.
It’s likely that at least one staff member will get sick during the winter. If any team member — including someone who rents a booth — is sick, they should avoid coming to work. To prepare for this, managers can ensure that staff clearly understands sick day policies and procedures.
Managers can also keep a running list of emergency employees if someone has to cancel last minute. That way, their locations can continue to operate through last minute shift changes. During the workday, if anyone appears ill, it’s important to act fast and send them home so they don’t put clients or co-workers in harm’s way.
One of the most important steps to take during flu season is to prioritize a sanitary, healthy work environment. Encourage both clients and employees to regularly wash their hands, clean doors, chairs and other surfaces that people touch frequently, and consider revising company policy to accommodate customers that need last minute cancellations due to illness. These policies will limit the potential spread of illnesses at salons and spas.
Yet for clients who have recovered from the flu, spa and salon services can help them feel like themselves again. Here are some examples:
- Salt treatments. Some people find that salt treatments can alleviate the effects of a flu or cold, according to American Spa Magazine.
- A “flu facial” treatment, as detailed by Skin Inc Magazine, is another service which rehydrates the clients’ skin, making them feel more comfortable and less congested as they deal with flu symptoms.
- Heat treatments. Spas with saunas can attract people looking to “sweat out” the last effects of a flu or cold.
Of course, clients who are actively sick or suffering dehydration should be discouraged from engaging in any spa treatment.
You can get more information on the flu and how to stem its spread from the CDC’s dedicated flu website.
Kathy Lopez, Account Manager for SASSI, the Salon and Spa Specialty Insurance program at Brownyard Group. She can be reached at klopez@brownyard.com.
