Work/life balance

Today is the first of a number of public holidays which in times gone by would have been an opportunity for the majority to enjoy some time with family and friends. In today's 24/7 society, however the demand to shop, eat and have access to everything you would expect on any other day of the week means that the majority of retail outlets are open.

On one hand this offers an opportunity for salon owners to maximise on potential revenue as a large percentage of the population is on holiday but equally, managing team holidays and working patterns also poses some issues. Having a clear policy that everyone understands is crucial and treating holiday requests fairly is essential for morale; but how do you decide whether to open or close?

Business reasons aside, there remains the issue of work/life balance and that is a much trickier issue to manage and get right. The demands on our time has never been greater and trying to give 100 per cent to family, work and relationships can often cause stress and conflict as you attempt to appease everyone. Regardless of the economic climate and the additional pressures this adds, making time for yourself, family and friends is essential for your health and wellbeing which in turns makes for a happier, focused and motivated team.

Jayne x