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Base compensation for massage therapists
A massage therapist wrote in saying that she gets commissions but no base salary, and is being asked to perform tasks such as cleaning hair out of lockers! Most good spas add an hourly rate in addition to a commission structure. It is not really fair to make therapists fold towels and write postcards when not being compensated. Frankly, massage therapists are rarely asked to do more cleaning and maintenance than turning a room between services. Cleaning hair out of lockers? Above and beyond the call of duty in my opinion.
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User Comments

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Ann <ann@healingangelsspa.com>
January 14, 2006 at 1:47pm

Cleaning lockers
I have been on both sides of the spectrum. I have worked for others, and now own my own day spa. I am not a Massage therapist, I am a cosmetologist and woked as salary at one place and another which paid commision. It was always expected to do towels, stock,dust shelves, sweep, mop, WHATEVER needed to be done to keep the place nice and clean even making only commision. Sometimes we even had to stay late or come a little early if we had a specific task to clean. Eventhough we did not get paid for it because we did commision only. Unless they are taking part of your salary to pay someone else for cleaning duties, it is up to all the employees to do their fair share to keep up the reputation of the Spa/Salon. There are two reasons people do not come back to a place. 1) They were not invited to come back by the staff and 2) the place was dirty. Any work environment if a team effort. Everyone pitches in and everything gets done. The next time you are asked to remove hair from the lockers, Think about the client who will be using those lockers and seeing you for their massage. And when you become too busy to do that kind of work the next person wil be doing it.
gina <gigi_lmt@yahoo.com>
February 28, 2007 at 8:08pm

massage therapist
I agree with your input that the upkeep of the spa is everyone's responsibility. However, spa owners fail to realize that sometimes massage treatments are like total body workouts, and turning your therapist into "spa slaves" is unacceptable. Working in a commecial spa all day without compensation (other than treatment times) and expect them to clean bathrooms is unfair. This should only be expected when their is an hourly rate in addition to the comission rate.




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