Salons underpaying workers risk losing 80% of business

Salons that don't pay their staff minimum wage risk losing up to 80% of their business, according to research from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.

The research reveals that eight out of ten people would not use a salon if they found it paid its staff less than the national minimum wage, with 90% of consumers calling those employers, "a disgrace".

Findings also revealed that almost the same amount - 79% - would tell their friends and family to avoid salons that didn't abide by the rules.

With a third of hairdressing roles falling into the lowest paid jobs category, and 68% of hairdressing apprentices underpaid in 2012, the hairdressing sector is at high risk of falling foul of the new national minimum wage rates - with dire consequences.

As well as losing business, the research also revealed that - unsurprisingly - underpaying staff bred resentment, caused low productivity and resulted in high employee turnover.

The National Hairdressers Federation has advice for salons and how to stay abreast of the national minimum wage here.