Work From Home Salon Hours: Establishing Boundaries

The term work from home has grown dramatically over the past decade and in 2014 encompasses more than envelope stuffers. To work from home is not as easy as many believe it is and that is why it is important to establish boundaries, especially for at-home salons or other industries that deal with service and clients. Whoop, whoop, happy Hump Day hotties! Welcome to Wednesday’s Q&A with Ask the Pro Stylist where I attempt to answer clients’ and readers’ questions. However, today, I answer my own question, or rather perturbation, after a lengthy discussion with my hairstylist, who is not only a dear friend, but also a work from home professional.

I am aware that many of my clients do read my column. Please understand that today’s post in no way reflects one individual or one particular event, however 90% of my guests happen to also be friends who feel I am always available to discuss hair and make appointments in any forum. But those of us who work from home, also need a day of rest.

Last week during my hair date with Lisa, we discussed clients and how and when they make contact for appointments and hair questions. Technology, texting and social media have given rise to 24/7 accessibility, with many people thinking that the world is at their disposal whenever the whim arrives. It is understandable, the thought occurs that you need a touchup and think, “I’ll just text Deirdre because it is in my head,” and many are ok with a delayed response.

During an interview at IBSNY 2014 for a salon-booking computer program, the young sales people thought their program was wonderful because it allowed for such accessibility. My answer to the twenty–something touting the software was, “no, we need a break and a day off.” If you work from home it is at your discretion to work as much or as little as possible. We cannot assume, as I have, that just because a client will not contact a brick and mortar salon at 10pm on a Sunday on Facebook that they would grant the work from home hairstylist the same respect. It is up to us to inform our clients of our business hours, which include when and how we want to be contacted.

My friend just won’t answer her texts if it is after a certain time of night. I however keep my cell phone on day and night as it also serves as my house phone. Therefore, I have devised a set of hours for my clients and printed it out to let them know not only when I am available to do hair, but also when I will answer calls and texts. I don’t want anyone to think I am ignoring them if I don’t answer right away, but to have a clear explanation of when and how I plan on following up. I had (had being the operable word) a client who would text me all day and night long with unending questions. I would always answer her and she’d never follow my advice.

Please note, only call or text, do not contact me on Facebook or on games attached to social media, as they do not go to my phone and I don’t give those messages the same weight as calls. Thank you and thank you for your patronage.

Sunday: CLOSED (except for very special occasions) if you need an appointment for Monday, please schedule in advance.
Monday-Thursday: 9-6
Friday: 9-8
Saturday: 9-6

These hours are flexible as my schedule fluctuates due to kids, dance competitions, writing assignments and work-related events, but I will always do my best to accommodate your schedule.