Written by Melissa Eales South Africa’s hairdressing, cosmetology, beauty, and skincare industry is one of the most vibrant and people-centred sectors in the country. From neighbourhood establishments in townships to premium spas in urban centres, the industry touches the lives of millions of South Africans daily as clients, as employees, and as entrepreneurs. Yet, despite its reach and its deeply human nature, the industry has not always applied the same care to how it hires

Written by Limya Kamaldien In last week's segment, we explored how exhaustion, both physical and emotional, shows up in the hairdressing, cosmetology, beauty, and skincare industry. We looked at the early warning signs: persistent fatigue, irritability, declining motivation, and inconsistent service, all signals that something deeper is at play. In practice, this often looks like a professional moving from one client to the next, maintaining a welcoming presence while quietly

Written by Janine van Eck In the fast-paced environment of South Africa's hairdressing, cosmetology, beauty, and skincare industry, employees are routinely exposed to physical and emotional demands, including prolonged standing, repetitive hand movements, chemical exposure, and sustained client interaction. These conditions frequently give rise to incapacity-related challenges requiring careful and lawful employer intervention. When ill health, workplace injury, or medical in

Written by Mamotuku Khaole The hairdressing, cosmetology, beauty, and skincare industry is built on close collaboration, trust, and professionalism. Establishments are intimate environments where employees work side by side, often forming strong personal bonds. While these relationships can enhance teamwork, they also carry risks when personal interests outside the workplace, such as lending money, romantic involvement, or running side businesses, spill into professional dyna

Written by Phumzile Eliya The hairdressing, cosmetology, beauty, and skincare industry is built on energy, connection, and presentation. Every day, professionals are expected to be attentive, engaging, and physically present while delivering a high standard of service. Whether working behind the chair, in a treatment room, or at reception, employees are required to consistently create a positive client experience. However, what clients see is only part of the picture. Behind

Written by Dineo Sedibeng The Code of Good Practice on Dismissals emphasises that poor performance (incapacity) must be managed through a supportive and corrective process, rather than immediate disciplinary action. The primary objective is to assist the employee in meeting the required standards before dismissal is considered as a last resort. Poor work performance, often referred to as incapacity due to poor performance, arises when an employee fails to meet the required st

Written by Dane Frost Corruption, fraud, and workplace misconduct not only harm the individuals directly involved — they undermine businesses, erode public trust, and damage the South African economy as a whole. The people best placed to expose wrongdoing are often those closest to it: employees, contractors, and others who witness it first-hand. Yet, for decades, many of these individuals have stayed silent out of fear — fear of losing their jobs, being harassed, or facing l

Written by Siphesihle Mthombeni Burnout is something that is becoming increasingly common in many professions, but especially in the hairdressing, cosmetology, beauty, and skincare industry. It is not just normal tiredness or being “a bit stressed”. It happens when someone has been under pressure for too long without enough rest, and it starts affecting how they feel, how they work, and even how they live their personal life. It can make a person feel drained, unmotivated, an

Written by Hulisani Ravhudzulo The Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Beauty, and Skincare Industry is one of the most service-driven sectors in South Africa. Establishments within this sector rely heavily on employee skill, professionalism, client care, hygiene compliance, and operational efficiency. Hairdressers, nail technicians, beauty therapists, barbers, receptionists, and establishment managers are expected to perform at high standards because client satisfaction directly impa

Written by Megan Griffiths ZEP and LEP Permit extensions For many establishments in the hairdressing, cosmetology, beauty, and skincare industry, the stability of ZEP and LEP holding staff is now secured until 28 May 2027. This reprieve has direct implications for staffing, skills retention, and compliance, as these establishments often rely on experienced foreign nationals who have built careers in South Africa over many years. Both the Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEP) an

Written by Carina Goncalves Toxic behaviours in establishments do not usually start off in obvious ways. They creep in slowly through missed messages, ongoing negativity, subtle resistance, or small undermining comments. If not dealt with early, they can build into a pattern that breaks down trust, divides teams, and affects overall performance. For employers, the real challenge is not just dealing with the behaviour, but doing so in a way that does not lower morale or create

Written by Jana Ferreira Imagine spending days dealing with a serious misconduct case, gathering evidence, suspending an employee, following every internal step, only to have an arbitrator set aside the dismissal because the charge sheet said “theft” when it should have said “unauthorised removal of company property.” Or because the chairperson made a recommendation without explaining how they weighed the evidence. These are not hypothetical disasters. They happen every day a

Written by Phumzile Eliya In many establishments, particularly within the hairdressing, cosmetology, beauty, and skincare industry, Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is often treated as a compliance checklist rather than a behavioural standard. Policies are drafted, rules are posted, and registers are signed, yet when employees fail to follow safety procedures, management in establishments are often left asking: At what point does a safety breach become misconduct? Equally

Written by Dane Frost Scenario: A junior stylist at your establishment notices that a senior colleague has been mixing colour incorrectly, a mistake that could seriously damage a client's hair. She knows it. She can see it. But she says nothing. Not because she doesn't care. Not because she is trying to protect anyone. But because the last time someone raised a concern in that establishment, it did not end well. There were whispers. There was awkwardness. And the person who s

Written by Choert Maartens Jane breathed in the familiar smell of shampoo and hairspray as she unlocked the establishment at 7:30 a.m. The morning light pooled across the polished floor, and the row of colour swatches glinted like a small, ordered world. For the first hour, everything hummed along: a steady trickle of regulars, the kettle on, music at a comfortable level. Then Lindiwe arrived again late. This was the third time in a month. Clients had been kept waiting, appoi

Written by Nkosana Mazibuko The ripple nobody talks about - For many establishment owners across South Africa, the impact of rising fuel prices is not always immediately visible, yet it is felt in the daily cost of operating. From increased delivery charges to rising transport costs for employees, these pressures accumulate quietly, often before the month has properly begun. What appears to be a normal start to the week can already reflect the growing strain of a changing eco

Written by Jaco Parkin The culture behind the chair: How workplace values shape staff retention and client loyalty in the Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Beauty, and Skincare Industry - There’s something that separates a thriving establishment from one that’s constantly hiring and losing clients; it’s rarely the products on the shelf or the price list on the wall. More often than not, it comes down to culture. In the hairdressing, cosmetology, beauty, and skincare industry, cultur

Written by Melissa Eales Navigating Procedural and Substantive Fairness in the workplace with the new Code of Good Practice on Dismissal (2025) - In a hair and or beauty establishment, an employee's repeated misconduct triggers a formal investigation. Whether the employer handles this process fairly, both procedurally and substantively, will determine whether any eventual dismissal can be defended at the National Bargaining Council for the Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Beauty an

Written by Limya Kamaldien In South Africa’s hairdressing, cosmetology, beauty, and skincare industry, qualifications are no longer optional. They are essential for compliance, professionalism, and sustainable business growth. For employers, the challenge is practical: how do you ensure that both you and your staff meet the requirements of the Main Collective Agreement of the National Bargaining Council for Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Beauty and Skincare Industry, while mainta

Written by Janine van Eck In many establishments within the hairdressing, cosmetology, beauty, and skincare industry, the phrase “we are like family” is often used to describe the workplace. For example, in a small team where employees work closely together, share personal experiences, and support one another through busy periods, this sentiment may feel both natural and positive. While this may reflect a supportive and close-knit environment, it can unintentionally create ch