Written by Hulisani Ravhudzulo For Employers and managers of Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Beauty and Skincare Industry establishments, receiving an arbitration award requires immediate attention. The award may direct compensation, reinstatement, payment of outstanding amounts, or another remedy. Its practical effect depends on what it orders and when compliance is required. An award is generally final and binding. Employers should implement it within the required period or obta

Written by Laurence Moeti A thank-you that backfired Consider an illustrative example. Nomsa owns a busy hairdressing establishment with six employees. After a strong December, she wants to say thank you. She quietly gives two of her favourite Hairdressers an extra R500 each and says nothing to the others. Within a day, the whole team knows. The senior Hairdresser who trained two of the juniors feels overlooked. The receptionist who stayed late every Saturday feels invisible.

Written by Dineo Sedibeng As the Year Draws to a Close: Look Beyond Today's Challenges Prepare your establishment for a stronger, more professional year ahead. As the end of the year approaches, our industry enters one of the most demanding periods on the business calendar. Client bookings increase, working hours become more intense, employees grow tired, and the pressure to meet customer expectations and business targets can place additional strain on workplace relationships

Written by Errel Mbuyisa Imagine a busy establishment in Durban. A talented hairdresser, who has been with the team for two years, mentions in passing that her permit “runs out next month”. The owner has never looked at the document beyond the photocopy filed on her first day. Is she still allowed to work? Can she be moved to another establishment within the same group? And what happens to the establishment, and to her, if the answer is no? Questions like these are reaching e

Written by Jaco Parkin Every employer knows the moment. A client leaves with a colour that isn't quite right, a Hairdresser keeps arriving late, or a Beauty Therapist rushes through a facial. You know you need to say something, but you also know how quickly one wrong word can sour the mood in a small team. In the Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Beauty and Skincare Industry, feedback is personal. Hairdressers, Nail technicians, Beauty Therapists, and Barbers put their hands, their

Written by Njabulo Thabethe Labour disputes can be stressful and costly for employers, particularly when a disciplinary hearing, arbitration award or court judgment does not produce the expected outcome. However, an unfavourable decision does not automatically mean that the matter must be accepted, nor does it mean that the decision can simply be challenged through any available legal process. South African labour law provides different remedies depending on the nature of the

Written by Janine van Eck As the festive season approaches, many establishments in South Africa’s Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Beauty and Skincare Industry begin preparing for one of the busiest periods of the year. Appointment books fill up, spa bookings increase, clients make last-minute appointments, and employees may request annual leave to spend time with their families. For employers, this period presents both an opportunity and a challenge. Increased demand can mean bett

Written by Laurence Moeti Picture a busy establishment with six stylists, two assistants and a front desk coordinator. For years, the owner, Thandi, ran it on goodwill. Then trade slowed. Over one weekend she changed the shift roster, announced a new commission structure on the staff WhatsApp group, and moved her best-known stylist, Lerato, from the front chairs to the back. Lerato objected in front of clients. Words were exchanged. Within a month, she had resigned, two regul

Written by Melissa Botha Why preparation matters Being cited as the respondent in a CCMA or bargaining council arbitration can be unsettling for any establishment owner, particularly when a former employee, your team’s morale, and your reputation in the community are all involved. The good news is that careful preparation goes a long way. CCMA or bargaining council arbitration is a formal dispute-resolution process in which a commissioner hears evidence from both sides and is

Written by Hulisani Ravhudzulo The Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Beauty and Skincare Industry in South Africa is both vibrant and highly regulated. Establishments operate in an environment that demands flexibility, extended trading hours, and close interaction with clients. Employees may include hairstylists, beauty and nail technicians, massage therapists, assistants, receptionists and commission-based earners, all of whom contribute directly to the success and reputation of th

Written by Janine van Eck Communication is one of the most important parts of our everyday lives. Whether we speak to a client, a colleague, a family member, or a friend, the way we communicate can influence how the other person feels, responds, and remembers the interaction. The same is true in the workplace. In the Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Beauty and Skincare Industry, communication happens constantly. A stylist speaks to a client while completing a service. An establishm

Written by Mamotuku Khaole Understanding the dispute resolution process Workplace disputes are an unfortunate reality in any establishment, including establishments in the Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Beauty and Skincare Industry. Disagreements about dismissals, alleged unfair treatment, wages, working conditions or compliance with employment legislation can escalate into formal disputes requiring intervention by a dispute-resolution body. For employers in the Hairdressing, Cos

Written by Phumzile Eliya Monday morning, and the establishment is fully booked. The appointment book is packed from opening to closing. One stylist is on annual leave, and another has a family emergency. Then the WhatsApp message arrives: “Morning, I am not feeling well. I won’t be coming to work today.” The manager sighs. This is not the first time. Over the past few months, the same employee has been absent again and again. Sometimes there is a medical certificate, sometim

Written by Limya Kamaldien When I started pulling material together on “preparing teams for future industry shifts”, Google quickly turned into something like a telephone directory. But instead of phone numbers, it listed endless change-management courses, certificates and consultancy programmes. Some are excellent; many read more like a sales pitch than practical guidance for a busy establishment. This article is written from the other side of that search: I’ve done the digg

Written by Njabulo Thabethe How Bargaining Council Agreements Are Enforced in the Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Beauty and Skincare Industry Every employer in the hairdressing, cosmetology, beauty, and skincare industry of South Africa who has employed and paid a staff member knows employment rules aren't made in a vacuum. In the Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Beauty and Skincare Industry, many of those rules come from a collective agreement negotiated at industry level by the Emplo

Written by Jaco Parkin You have prepared your file, your witnesses are ready, and the concilliation/ arbitration is under way. Then something shifts. The person who is supposed to be neutral starts pressing your witness harder than the other side’s, or seems to be building the employee’s case for them. Whether your dispute is before the National Bargaining Council for the Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Beauty and Skincare Industry or the CCMA, that is the moment when what you do

Written by Hulisani Ravhudzulo The Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Beauty and Skincare Industry is constantly evolving. New technologies, changing client expectations, innovative treatments and increased competition require establishments to adapt continuously to remain relevant and profitable. For establishment owners, managers and employers, growth often raises an important question: Should the establishment invest in upskilling existing Employees or recruit individuals who alre

Written by Jana Ferreira Industrial action, strikes, lockouts and picketing are a lawful and regulated part of the employment relationship in South Africa. In the Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Beauty and Skincare Industry, where most workplaces are small establishments operating under the National Bargaining Council for the Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Beauty and Skincare Industry (HCSBC), disputes over wages, commission structures and working conditions can and do escalate into f

Written by Limya Kamaldien The short answer Yes, AI may be used during a disciplinary hearing, but only in a limited and controlled manner. It should assist with administration or an unexpected issue; it should not replace preparation, generate evidence, coach witnesses or decide the outcome. The use of AI should be managed by the chairperson and must not compromise procedural fairness, confidentiality or the parties’ opportunity to respond. The question employers are asking

Written by Choert Maartens The Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Beauty and Skincare Industry is undergoing a major transformation driven by smarter systems, transparent pricing, and technology-enhanced services. For salon owners, these shifts are becoming essential for sustainable growth, staff retention, and client loyalty. 1. AI & AR Technology Are Becoming Core Business Tools AI and AR tools are now central to modern consultations. They analyse hair and scalp conditions, predict