The best approach to quitting in the hair industry

Fashion Stylist Law Roach recently publicly quit via a now-deleted post on Instagram, leading many to question whether this was an attempt at ‘loud quitting’. But what does this mean, and does it have a place in the salon? HJ spoke to Business Coach Leah Durrant, and Business Mentor Cally Borg – both members of the hair industry – to share their thoughts on quitting.

What Do These Phrases Mean?

Firstly, what is loud quitting? Well, it’s often seen as a negotiation tactic where someone tells their employer they’re looking for a new job, or discusses openly in the work environment that they are looking at roles elsewhere - all in the hope that they turn around and make your role more appealing, to entice you to say. Meanwhile, its counterpart, quiet quitting, is when staff do the bare minimum at work – meeting any job requirements but doing nothing beyond this. Discussing the two quitting strategies from a business owner’s approach, Leah says: “Managing a team, it takes time to learn how different people work and prefer to communicate. I work really hard at building relationships with my team, spending the time and energy to ensure we have good communication to avoid quiet quitting. I would much rather someone be open and honest about their decision to quit – if that's what they really want. “I have experienced loud quitting with team members in the past who have had genuine intentions to quit, and I am always grateful that they feel they can be honest. An open conversation gives me an opportunity to either work with them to make their role more fitting to their current needs, or to help them achieve their next career goal.” However, Cally also shares her experiences managing staff resignations in the hair industry, and views loud quitting a little differently. She says: “Personally I think there are more appropriate ways of asking for a pay rise or more motivation in your job role. That being said, I think the employer maybe needs to take some responsibility too. I personally set goals with my staff every three months; I ask them what they want in their career and help guide them on their path. If the employee feels the need to ‘loud quit’, knowing it will throw the employer into a mad panic, it seems there is no respect."

The Best Way to Quit in the Hair Industry

Firstly, before you even decide to leave, it's always worth talking to your employer to see if any changes can be made to make your role more fulfilling. However, following this, Leah notes: "If you have made up your mind then be open and honest in your communication with your manager, and do it sooner rather than later.” She also adds: “I wouldn’t recommend talking to other team members before you talk to your manager, as this can create a difficult environment for everyone to work in.” Likewise, it’s wise not to mention anything to your clients until you have spoken with your employer, as all salons handle this differently. Cally discusses this in more detail, explaining: “If the stylist is moving somewhere local, there's a risk to the employer of losing clients – so I think there should be mutual respect between the employer and the stylist. The stylist has to remember that the clients were provided by the marketing of the salon, so it's not fair to swoop in and take them for yourself. On the flip side, that stylist has put in the hard graft looking after that client, and it should be the clients’ choice if they follow. Cally proposes one way of handling this situation, sharing: "I think communication should be made via the email list to let the clients know their stylist is leaving, offering an alternative going forward. As a salon owner, I'd offer an incentive for that client to stay, like a discount to swap stylist or a complimentary treatment, but ultimately the choice is the clients’.” For those still considering loud quitting, Cally also provides a cautionary message: “If you’re quitting for attention, hoping that your employer will give you a pay rise or make your job better, it may backfire. Always remember that not everyone will have the same outlook as you.”

Don't Forget...

If and when you decide to quit, it’s worth remembering that how you approach the situation may affect your career. Leah explains: “No manager expects an employee to stay forever and we completely understand that people's circumstances and needs change. It's not a bad thing to leave a salon and go to another. That being said, the hair industry is a small world and your reputation will proceed you; you never know who you will work with and so I always recommend being respectful and professional when quitting. Don’t leave a job on bad note if it can be avoided.” Looking for more advice on how to handle certain salon scenarios? Whether you're employed or self-employed, here's how to approach taking a sick day.