Current Standards in the Nail Workplace

[Shimmy]

Hi all. I have a query regarding current standards in the Australian market for nail techs.

I've been checking out recent ads in the paper and in here regarding what people want in a nail technician.

I was wondering if anyone could answer the following for me:

- Must have own clientele. Does this mean you own that clientele list or are you expected to bring this to the business?
- Timeframe for nails - 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15. Is this the standard timeframe and does it involve all systems?
- Casual with own clients. What does this mean exactly?

For those of you in salons as employees/contractors, what are the sorts of conditions you work in?
What's the general going hourly rate? (Not asking for yours, just general).
Are your materials supplied?
Do you get good hours?
Are you permanent/casual/contracted?
Do you wear a uniform?
Do you have any opportunities to advance?
Anything else?

Thanks in advance.

[SaharaLily]

Hi all. I have a query regarding current standards in the Australian market for nail techs.

I've been checking out recent ads in the paper and in here regarding what people want in a nail technician.

I was wondering if anyone could answer the following for me:

- Must have own clientele. Does this mean you own that clientele list or are you expected to bring this to the business?
U have to bring ur own clients to the salon/obtain nail clients on ur own accord

- Timeframe for nails - 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15. Is this the standard timeframe and does it involve all systems?
This is usually the standard these days, though some employers a flexible in the beginning ur expected to speed up. Normally 45min refill and 1.5 for perm french refill (as a guide)

- Casual with own clients. What does this mean exactly?
No set hours, no penalty rates, no holiday pay. U bring ur own clients to the salon, u work when u have stuff booked in.

For those of you in salons as employees/contractors, what are the sorts of conditions you work in?
I am fortunate enough to work in a salon with a training school attached. So I work in a privileged environment.

What's the general going hourly rate? (Not asking for yours, just general).
On average is hard to determine as it's based on if u have set hours / casual / or work by client.
For a pay by hour basis around $23+/hr at the min (in my area)

Are your materials supplied?
Yes

Do you get good hours?
Like previously stated, I work also within the training school, so my hours are rarely compromised

Are you permanent/casual/contracted?
I am casual

Do you wear a uniform?
Yes

Do you have any opportunities to advance?
Yes, our staff are always getting training advantages etc..

Anything else?
That is all

Thanks in advance.

[Shimmy]

I expected no holiday pay as that's factored into the casual rate but no penalty rates?
Wow. Thanks for that perspective, SaharaLily. That really helps.

[SaharaLily]

I expected no holiday pay as that's factored into the casual rate but no penalty rates?
Wow. Thanks for that perspective, SaharaLily. That really helps.

Well technically speaking that is for my salon, but we do get well over what I stated previously and it is well above the award with the added bonuses of having in house training.
We do get +20% for saturday, though we are only open 9-2 so I don't really count that lol

[Kasha]

Casual in any job has no penalty rates last time I checked (4 years ago ). Then again the government keeps changing the rules when it comes to min wage, penalty rates etc

[pollypinkKylie]

I don't know if all industry wages are paid the same way but I know my husband being a signwritter works full time but is classed as a casual and gets no penalty rates, no holiday pay, and no sick pay And his casual pay rate sux!

Sorry not sure about the nail industry i've only ever worked for myself.

[La Dolly Vita]

What's the general going hourly rate? (Not asking for yours, just general). - I get a generous percentage of each service performed.
Are your materials supplied? Yes.
Do you get good hours? I advise my preferred availability, and I must be available within those times for any bookings that may come in. I do 5.30pm-9pm Tues & Thurs, 8.30am-6pm Wed & Fri, then 8.30-2 on Saturday. This is great for me because Noah only has to do 2 days in daycare. When we're busy, I'm fully booked. If there are no bookings, I don't have to be there. We are closed Sunday, Monday and Public Holidays, so no penalty rates required.
Are you permanent/casual/contracted? Contracted
Do you wear a uniform? ]We are required to wear a plain black top and are supplied with badges with our name and salon logo.
Do you have any opportunities to advance? I have chosen to train in other services and will be offering them in the salon when i go back after bub is born.

Hope this helps!

[Shimmy]

Casual in any job has no penalty rates last time I checked

Oh yes there is! Well, I comment on Australian conditions anyway (don't about NZ) and for those workplaces without a workplace agreement. That was why there was such a fuss over the "Fair Choices" shebang under the Howard govt because penalty rates were being removed. Naturally, the specifics depend on what award you come under but yes, there are penalty rates for hours worked beyond certain times during the week and for certain days (such as Sundays for example).

Dolly, does this mean you work only on commission? And when you say you're contracted, do you mean you're on a contract as an employee or a contractor?

[passion_4_nails]

Casual in any job has no penalty rates last time I checked (4 years ago ). Then again the government keeps changing the rules when it comes to min wage, penalty rates etc

I agree with you Kasha...Casual means you don't get any "perks" like holiday pay, sick pay etc. You have to be permanent to get any of that

[La Dolly Vita]

I'm a contractor, I invoice for my work.

[Tess]

Casual in any job has no penalty rates last time I checked (4 years ago ). Then again the government keeps changing the rules when it comes to min wage, penalty rates etc

I agree with you Kasha...Casual means you don't get any "perks" like holiday pay, sick pay etc. You have to be permanent to get any of that

Kasha & Angie, yes they do now Casuals get paid a penalty rate for public holidays etc that they work, but yes Angie your right, they dont get holiday, sick pay etc.

[passion_4_nails]

Casual in any job has no penalty rates last time I checked (4 years ago ). Then again the government keeps changing the rules when it comes to min wage, penalty rates etc

I agree with you Kasha...Casual means you don't get any "perks" like holiday pay, sick pay etc. You have to be permanent to get any of that

Kasha & Angie, yes they do now Casuals get paid a penalty rate for public holidays etc that they work, but yes Angie your right, they dont get holiday, sick pay etc.

So overtime is overtime...no matter what you are employed as...it's just the holiday/sick pay that's not included for casuals

[Tess]

Aha! Thats it and casual workers have more rights now, its not as easy to sack a casual these days either

[passion_4_nails]

maybe in the "real" world....but not in Gladstone.... the whole town is employed as casuals....they come, they go, they move around like they change their underwear....it's rediculous

[Kasha]

Glad the government changed something for the better then