Internal Services Guide: How to Charge for Cuts and Treatments Among Staff

Financial management in salons and barbershops requires extra attention when it comes to the hair maintenance of their own employees. To turn this perk into a real advantage without compromising the business's profit margins, experts recommend implementing a system of nominal flat fees for services performed outside of working hours. This approach covers procedures such as blow-drying, cuts, coloring, and straightening treatments, ensuring that basic operational costs are covered while keeping the service accessible to the team.

A fundamental rule in this model is the allocation of tips: 100% of the value must go directly to the professional performing the service. Additionally, it is essential to protect the company's finances from excessive product usage. To do this, a flat fee should be established for the use of additional bowls or special formulations that exceed the basic allowed quota, thus preventing the establishment from absorbing unnecessary input costs.

The situation changes when two professionals wish to perform services on each other during regular public service hours. On exceptionally slow days, the pricing structure must be adjusted: a 50% discount is applied to the regular retail price, but the professional performing the service receives their full standard commission. This mechanism respects the value of the chair, adequately compensates for the work, and maintains productive time.

It is crucial that these services during working hours are pre-approved by the shift manager, officially scheduled, and restricted to low-demand periods when professionals would otherwise be idle. On peak days, such as Fridays and Saturdays, the rule is strict: the full price is always charged. This prevents the team from using prime time to resolve personal matters.

Exclusive benefits should be reserved only for active staff, including stylists, assistants, and receptionists. To avoid confusion, it is necessary to maintain formal and distinct pricing categories for models like "friends and family" or assistant practices, ensuring that staff discounts do not mix with offers intended for end clients.

The ideal time to launch this policy is during a quarterly review, at the beginning of a new month, or in a scheduled meeting. Avoid introducing the rule immediately after a dispute in the salon; by presenting it as a proactive operational improvement, the atmosphere becomes less tense and the measure does not sound like a reactive punishment.