Before lockdown ends, the NHBF’s chief executive Hilary Hall asks are you ready to reopen your hair salon business and shares what you need to consider from safety to changes in employment law.
As salons continue to navigate their way through these unprecedented times the big issue on everyone’s mind is reopening.
“We have been working very closely with the government at the highest levels to ensure salons are allowed to open only when it is safe to do so for both staff and clients,” says NHBF chief executive Hilary Hall.
The NHBF wants to ensure the government understands the particular challenges that face salons and will provide clear guidelines about the use of PPE (personal protective equipment) and other precautions that must be taken when salon doors reopen to clients.
“A guide to reopening will also be available for everyone in our industry plus member-only free resources such as risk assessments, employee letters, client communication templates and posters,” says Hilary.
NHBF's asks are you ready to reopen in reopening survey
A member survey carried out by the NHBF attracted almost 2,000 responses with 84% saying their biggest worry about reopening was how to maintain social distancing when working in close physical contact with clients. The survey also found:
• 74% were worried about what kind of personal protective equipment (PPE) would be needed including its cost and availability (a topic the NHBF continues to lobby the government about).
• Almost two thirds (64%) did not want to see business disrupted again by a second wave of coronavirus infections or a second lockdown period.
NHBF’s information and support
“Throughout the crisis, the NHBF has been doing all it can to support everyone in the industry – whether or not they are members,” Hilary points out.
She adds: “We continue to update our coronavirus hub, which is available to everyone, including our
FAQs about coronavirus and the government’s job retention scheme. We are urging everyone to ensure they understand the range of financial help that is available from the government for both salon owners and the self-employed, including the recently announced bounce back loans. You can find out more at nhbf.co.uk/help.”
New employment laws for 2020
In addition to preparing for reopening, salon owners also need to ensure they are up-to-date with all the latest employment laws that have come into force this year.
H
ilary says: “The National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage went up on 1 April 2020 (nhbf.co.uk/new-nmw).” She adds: “Jack’s Law is also now in force so parents who lose a child under the age of 18 or suffer a stillbirth from 24 weeks of pregnancy are now entitled to two weeks’ paid bereavement leave.”
A temporary change to annual leave rules has also been introduced by the government. “Many employees have built up annual leave during the coronavirus outbreak so they can now carry over unused leave into the next two years,” explains Hilary.
Join the NHBF before 30 June 2020 and quote HJJ25 to get £25 off your membership fee. Visit nhbf.co.uk/join or call 01234 831965.
For all the latest information visit the NHBF’s coronavirus information hub: nhbf.co.uk/coronavirus, follow @nhbfsocial and read regular updates on the NHBF’s website – nhbf.co.uk.
This is a sponsored post by the NHBF.
