Other therapists experiencing cut in commission percentages?

[Standyourground]

Hi there,

The spa where I work recently requested that their therapists and estheticians sign an agreement which will work on a sliding scale based on the amount of services rendered by each therapist. So for instance...complete $1500.00 worth of services in a two week pay period and the therapist will receive 45%, between $1000 and $1499.00 receive 42%, less than that 40%. It does not matter if you are considered part time or not.

I have not agreed to sign but am curious if any other therapists employed by others have experienced this yet in this economy...

Thanks...

 

[justicefmichael]

Other therapists experiencing cut in commission percentages?

Essentially, yes. My employer decided to increase coupons the past several months, and to also increase the perceneforum.xxxe of each coupon that the therapist has to suck up. It is obviously not helping our business as our appointments have been steadily declining in numbers. I know he's trying to keep us all on and working, but this method doesn't appear to be helping any of us.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Other therapists experiencing cut in commission percentages?

What was the original base payment? Were all therapists receiving a flat 40%? or was it 45%? IOW, is the top scale an improvement? Or is the bottom scale a reduction from your current contract?

IMO, if the spa is not preventing therapists from working full-time if they desire, and if therapists are allowed the opportunity to promote other services and improve their personal client retention and requests, then the tiered plan sounds like a good incentive plan to me.

I've heard a of a few places around here though, that are reducing perceneforum.xxxes and increasing coupons. Things have been slow enough for me, I'm thinking of offering a few temporary incentives myself.

 

[Godfather]

Other therapists experiencing cut in commission percentages?

I am currently at a cut of 45% after 2 1/2 years of service and really was striving to reach 50% soon. I work alternate between three and four days a week, alternating Saturdays. I was hired as part time but picked up extra hours. I cover 18 hours on my short weeks and 24 on my long weeks.

I was informed that others were making more than my cut so I suspect their tier may drop to my current %. I don't know...

While I am not the number one star at repeat clientele, I do have regulars and sell packages of six massages here and there.

Just wanted to take the temperature out there and see what is happening. Thanks for your replies...

 

[Well]

Other therapists experiencing cut in commission percentages?

Wow, sorry to hear that.

 

[help me!]

Other therapists experiencing cut in commission percentages?

Not surprising.

I have never been a fan of complicated compensation schemes -- even a flat % is too complicated if the menu charges more for DT or other modalities, or discounts or packages are common.

Recent stats cite the average work week is at a 40 year low, so this should not be a surprise.

It's all about the deal these days -- to get the clients and keep your job.-- even though I think this is herd mentality, it is not so easy to avoid getting dragged down with it. The race to the bottom! Get used to it -- it will probably get worse in the next six months and is sure to extend to reduced benefits (many companies have suspended 401K matches)

 

[Geoff]

Other therapists experiencing cut in commission percentages?

I may have mentioned this in a different thread; if so, please forgive.

I've worked at a three star "resort" hotel here in Tempe AZ for just over three years. Pay is minimum wage, plus $19.60/hr commission plus tip. All things told, I clear about $45/massage.

This past April, we took pay cuts. The parent company owns/operates about 100 hotel properties nationwide. Pay cuts came to EVERYONE.... the properties and the parent company, too. Cuts ranged from 5% for the least paid, to 15% to the top salaried hot shots. We spa therapists ended up eating about a 9% cut. Add to that the fact that the "busy season".... springtime.... was a complete bust.

An LMT associate of mine told me pay at her hotel spa was cut from $60/massage to $45. I've heard unverified rumors about a big property here shaving their staff of 42 therapists down to about 20.

Currently I'm living and working for the second summer in a row in North Carolina at a high end country club. Pay rates are the same here, but business is DOWN. I'm earning maybe a third of what I was last year. The entire property here is down in revenue.... food & beverage, golf shop, retail.

Yikes.