Toxic salons are, unfortunately, a reality that many of us have to deal with, especially when we first start off our careers. Eventually, most of us do end up leaving; but many of us stay too long to the detriment of our mental, emotion, and physical health.

Here are 5 signs that you may be in a toxic work environment and that it may be time to get out.

1. Favoritsm and clique-iness

Some stylists will bond better with the boss because they have a similar sense of humour. Others, because they bring in the most sales. And others, because, well, we’ll never know. And it doesn’t really matter anyway.

In the salons where I worked where favouritism was clear, I felt like no matter what I did or how talented, professional or creative I was, the favourites received the most breaks, time off as requested, they got to leave work early, and they never had to do the chores the rest of us had to do.

On top of that, they shared inside jokes with the boss and no one seemed to question it.

2. Disrespecting or talking down to you

Does your boss talk down to you? Do they tell you that you need to do certain things to be “part of the group”, to “stay here”, because “you’re so lucky” to be “part of our culture”? Do you feel small when you’re talked to?

Do they talk down to you when the favorites are around? Sometimes a power-play ensues when two people need each other’s validation or energy to feel superior to their staff. It’s very subtle but when it happens you feel it in your gut.

3. High turnover rate

If there’s a high turnover rate and it’s a revolving door of stylists coming in and quitting, it’s not the stylists’ fault. It’s due to poor salon management.

If, once you start, you hear other stylists telling you that “people come and go a lot”, it’s a definite red flag and you should keep your eyes and ears open for other opportunities.

4. They repost your work without permission

If your salon is reposting and not giving you credit on social media, it is a copyright infringement.

If they don’t acknowledge you, they are, in short, selfish. I had a boss who would re-post my work and “forget” to credit me. I know of a company that requires their stylists to start a new Instagram page to post their work, not allowing them from posting on their personal pages.

This is their way of keeping you as an employee, dependent on them for work and income. It’s crazy to think they can control who follows and likes you.

Nowadays, things have changed, with all of us independent artists having our own socials. But if you run into a boss that does this, it’s red flag!

5. Choosing clients over stylists

When your boss decides to run a 10% discount and takes it out of your commission, this is BS. Huge red flag.

I once worked for an owner who gave a stylist’s clients free services when the stylist called in sick and then took it out of her paycheque. There was no room for the stylist to discuss or have a say in this at all.

It’s just mean and very wrong.

6. Not giving you breaks

Hustle culture is dying and I’m here for it. Pre-pandemic, working ourselves to the ground was okay, expected and even funny at times. We thought we were going to “get someplace” and reach a level of professionalism and competence by overstepping our boundaries and working extra hours.

But the pandemic taught us that this is not okay. Over time, your body and mental health will take the hit.

Any boss who doesn’t care for you to take your breaks in between clients is not a boss that cares about you.

I had a boss who would employ a “spy” receptionist in the salon who would clock us out every time a stylist sat down, even if the salon was empty and we sat down for a snack.

In hair school, we would be scheduled with clients back to back and didn’t get breaks because it was a school and the labour board couldn’t do anything about it. So this hustle culutre is ingrained in stylists while they’re still in school and it needs to go.

I work in film and am part of the IATSE union in Toronto. We are forced to have a one-hour lunch break. During that break we are not allowed to talk to or touch any talent or production crew. During that hour, we are off-limits.

7. Emotional volatility

Small business owners treat their businesses like their babies, and rightfully so. However, some business owners tend to feel slighted when any of their stylists want to do an independent project. They can lash out if they feel insecure about their business one minute and confident about it the next.

If you feel like you’re tip-toeing around your boss because you’re afraid of a blowup, this is a major red flag.

8. Lack of [positive] feedback & advancement

A huge one is not telling you how much money you’re actually bringing in, your retention, rebooking rate, or your income potential. You have no sense of direction or vision for the salon.

There’s definitely a theme here where the boss is in a power play with the employees and they want to keep you out of the loop and working for peanuts.

Because, chances are, if you knew how much you were actually making for the salon and how happy clients were with you, you’d go off on your own. It’s ironic that stylists do end up leaving.

If, on the other hand, they do tell you what you’re making but the goal post to advancement and growth keeps moving, don’t walk, run!

9. Micromanaging

I had a boss who would text me at 9am asking if I’ll be coming in for my scheduled 11am. Um, yeah? Apparently this was something she did regularly and we all found it super odd.

Another boss told me I have to tell her when I wanted to take a break, because I can’t be in the back room “all the time”. I was having health issues and needed breaks in between clients. I remember looking at her and asking, “So you want me to tell you every time I need to have a small bite of my peanut butter snack?” She said yes. With a straight face.

I had to dress a certain way, I couldn’t wear my hear naturally wavy, and the list goes on.

I left and started SKLPT’D Hair.

And you can too.