Pros
- The discounts are really great - trauma bonded friendships. - lots of seasoned employees that will validate the weirdness and try to teach you how to be safe.
Cons
- Favoritism is common, with promotions and opportunities often based on personal relationships rather than merit. - There is a noticeable lack of clear HR policies or procedures, leading to inconsistent handling of issues. - this includes leadership using ableist, racist, ageist, and sexist language without consequence. - Dress code enforcement can feel overly focused on physical appearance, rather than professionalism. - Limited training and service offerings for clients with textured hair or those from diverse backgrounds: - Services such as silk presses, braiding, or twists are not advertised or supported. - Staff often make assumptions about headscarf or hijab-wearing clients, defaulting them to private rooms or panicking. - Workplace gossip is prevalent and can create a toxic environment. - The training program can be demoralizing and lacks psychological safety. - Some educators have shown up smelling of marijuana, which undermines professionalism. - Leadership structure is questionable — it’s not uncommon for salon managers to be newly hired and lacking in emotional maturity or experience. - Bathrooms and break rooms are poorly maintained and often unhygienic in various salons. - Excessive dust and poor HVAC maintenance, especially around stylist stations, can be embarrassing and unhygienic in various salons.