You did hit a nerve. It is not about offense, other than therapists seem to think employers are made of money. But I am curious what you think therapists should be pay to be trained?
We are in the process of training our therapists across the country to do 15 - 20 minute presentations on Relaxation Techniques and Self-Massage for Travelers to be presented nightly at our partner hotels "Unwind Events" One of our managers with 25 years experience has put a lot of effort and knowledge into scripting the events and putting together the training. The technicians doing the events will be paid for two hour work every night, can get tips and have first dibs on any in-room massages that come from the events. Plus, this is knowledge they can take with them to use with other clients.
When we invited three technicians to come witness one of the events so they would be able to relate the training to reality, they all expected to get paid the standard rate for both hours!
You pay for school, you pay for CEUs (which many here admit they take the cheapest ones just to meet their requirement and learn nothing for their money) but when it comes to training and education for being a better employee and more marketable therapist, they all seem to have their hands out! And from your posting, Minimum Wage is just too insulting to consider.
As for the quality of the Elemis training, I know what our techs went through for our spa was very valuable to them and was quite extensive. Very far from fluff and buff. Same goes for our estheticians.
And now three months later they are all getting another two days of training on new products and treatments.
And they will be paid. Minimum wage.
So I guess that puts us in the camp with Steiner.
Let's all start a chorus... "Down with Steiner, Down with R&R"