The Importance of Mental Health in the Workplace: Best Practices for Salon Employers

Salons are fast-paced environments, and in some cases, mental health can take a back seat as salon owners and their employees prioritize their client’s needs. While it’s important to cater to ensure productivity, it’s equally important to make sure that employees are well-supported.

Good mental health and well-being can create a supportive environment where every employee feels that they are valued. Let’s look at why mental health matters in the salon setting, along with the best practices to promote mental health in this kind of workplace.

Why Mental Health Matters in the Salon

The salon industry can be seen as glamorous and fun, but that’s not always the case. Long hours with several clients can take a toll on an employee’s mental health. It can become a high-stress environment where mental health matters.

For example, salon professionals are constantly interacting with clients, often managing multiple demands simultaneously. Salon professionals may also have to listen to stories from clients, and they may even serve as confidants. This constant interaction can become exhausting, especially when clients are demanding or have emotionally harrowing stories to tell.

Mental health matters in the salon because of the physical implications of working in one. Frequent exposure to hair dyes, perms, and other chemicals can have adverse effects on mental health. In addition, repetitive motions and awkward postures can lead to physical pain and mental fatigue.

Best Practices to Promote Mental Health in the Workplace

To prioritize mental health in the salon, here are some best practices to follow:

Open Communication

Open communication must be practiced in all work settings because it sets the stage for how people interact with others. With open communication, teams can show empathy and actively build trust with one another.

To encourage open communication, encourage team members to share their concerns about work. This can be done through regular check-ins so that everyone has the opportunity to voice their thoughts. Regular one-on-one meetings with team members can create a safe space that encourages open and honest communication.

Open communication can also be done through anonymous feedback mechanisms. The anonymity from suggestion boxes and online surveys allows for a more confidential outlet for team members.

Set Realistic Expectations

Salon life can get extremely busy and stressful. The amount of time and effort it takes to attend to each customer can become overwhelming. As such, managers should always be mindful of their team’s workload. Breaks should be respected and followed so that employees don’t feel like they are being overworked.

Setting realistic goals and expectations for each employee can make the workload more manageable. Questions like "What do you think you can accomplish in a day?" or "What is a realistic number of clients you can see in a day?" can help gauge a realistic workload.

Learning about each team member’s work capacities not only ensures good mental health within the team but also helps the team stay more productive.

Offer Mental Health Support

Providing access to mental health support in the salon setting provides employees with the tools and resources they need to maintain good mental health. Team members can turn to these resources whenever they need to.

To make mental health support more accessible, provide access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that offers counseling sessions. Hosting workshops on stress management or mindfulness also provides practical tools for team members to improve their well-being and mental health.

Managers may also want to consider developing a wellness resource list that employees can access anytime they need ideas for de-stressing outside of work.

Promote Work-Life Balance

Employees of salons shouldn’t revolve their lives around work all the time. Encouraging a healthy work-life balance can help ensure that everyone takes the time away from work as needed. This list could include everything from local yoga studios and nature spots to dispensaries offering plant-based wellness products.

Promoting work-life balance can be tricky if managers themselves don’t set a good example. As such, salon owners and managers should encourage employees to take their vacation days. Employees shouldn’t feel guilty for taking time off; they should be able to recharge and return to work refreshed and motivated.

Acknowledge the importance of personal time, and let your team know that their well-being is a priority. Providing options for part-time or flexible shifts can also be a great way to accommodate individual needs and reduce stress.

Final Words on Mental Health in the Workplace

Prioritizing mental health in the salon can help create a more sustainable work environment for salon owners, managers, and employees. The tips above are some of the best strategies to implement so that everyone at the salon feels like they’re well taken care of.

Good mental health in the workplace can translate into improved productivity and better customer satisfaction, creating a positive and supportive work environment for everyone involved.