New esthetician with a competitive co-worker.
I started working straight out of school, i feel like the esthetician i work with is out to get me. The doctor hired me and I get to take patients as soon as she deems I am ready to.
She is a 10 year esthetician...
Examples:
1.The microdermabrasion machine she uses, she said doesnt come with different sized attachments...I found the chest and nose/eye size in the box she just doesn't like to use them.
2. I asked for protocols for facials, she said "I don't/use have protocols and I don't want you to work with them because every person skin is different and I don't want you to learn to use them" But then during training facials tells me, I'm cleansing too long, or that I need to dilute water in some products but not the others...She told me to google the products instead of providing me with proper training materials to have product knowledge. Then during the facial tells me I am choosing the wrong products...
3. She during a training facial stood 2 inches from the face that I was extracting, told me I was doing it wrong, then would stop me extract things then this process took an hour and she told me "i need to move more quickly through extractions and shouldn't have taken an hour."
4. tells me that I need work in every aspect of a facial, but wont let me do one properly and refuses to provide the proper materials for me to do so.
5. During the brazillian, she was more reasonable because I asserted myself and she finally backed off. But she prefers to use strip wax and I asked her "would it be possible for us to get hard wax I am more comfortable with that when it comes to brazillians." She chewed me out and said it's not about the was the waxer should be able to pull off a brazillian no matter the wax and one pull per spot if you're a good waxer. ( I agree? but I am new and I just want to do a good job)
Is this just me? What should I do to make this a better situation? I feel like she is dragging out me being able to take on clients because she's the only esthetician and if I'm working she has to share clients....
Tags: advice, esthetician, job, new, office, politics
Views: 778
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jodi on
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There are a few things here that bother me about this. First of all, if she has the protocols, she should share them. If she won't, then you should go to the spa owner/doctor and get them from the product line rep. The owner should also schedule time for you with the product rep for some product and protocol training. I understand what the other esty is saying about every facial being different, but they all do follow a basic protocol and the products need to be used and prescribed correctly to be effective. I'm also not sure why she is with you when you give facials and waxing and saying these things in front of paying clients? When I was trained, it was on friends or co-workers, not regular clients. No one ever sat in with me on a paying client and critqued my work in front of them. Have you talked to the owner/doctor about any of this? From what you've described, it sure does sound like she's afraid of competition. And if she's a good esthetician, she shouldn't be.
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Permalink Reply by Sheila Gordon on
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I agree with Jodi! Go to the owner. What line of products are you using? I would contact the company myself and ask for their training manual! You shouldn't have any problems with this. WHile she is correct that everyone skin is different and you need to adjust accordingly, it gives you a good base and once you get the hang of things you will be making up your own thing as you go along ands see fit. Sounds like JEALOUSY!!
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Permalink Reply by Lisa Marie Waters on
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Everyone spa/Dr. Office has a protocol for everything. It would be very irresponsible not to, especially in a medical setting. Maybe you can bring that up to "the boss". It sounds like she set in her ways, which can be scary in some situations. She needs to understand that every esthetician has their own way of cleansing, extractions, etc. I would go up and over her to the person that hired you, which they hired you for a reason, not to be picked a part by a co- worker. . Explain your concerns about no protocols for treatments and products usage (and by the way, misuse of products can end in disaster in some situations) everyone needs to be on the same page. Consistency is the best policy in this case. Ask the boss if you can have the product reps come out and do some product knowledge, there might be some extra perks in that for the whole office ;)
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Permalink Reply by Lisa Fulton on
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Hi, doesn't doctor's office get paid hourly and not based on commission? I don't think she doesn't want to share clients. Maybe give it some more time to get to know each other and she might open up more? How long have you been working there?
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Permalink Reply by Natalie on
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Agree with all
Ask her nicely to be easy or treat you like a human -( just be nice but show you won't be walked over) and willing and wanting learn. tell her you respect her and want to learn but feel overwhelmed and as all said - Besides hands on ask her - besides exp- how did she learn to be worlds best? Any advice to take home? what she recommends online and to give you every service to feel it. does not have to be whole service just the most important to you or areas you need work.
Sit in and watch her do all above and take notes! Do more than one and ask all the questions you want. School gives you basics- she should know. Another thing I bet in past 10 years that protocols have advanced ( humor) and maybe you were taught different. Share this with employee and employer.
If she's lying about anything- that's not fair to you, client or owner. I'm sure owner would not want to hear that or a client complaint.
Ask for handbook and all product/equipt manuals to take home or copy to study.
As far as wax- some truth but yes experience, confidence, A Good Wax that your comfortable with is only way. Ask to bring in hard wax and practice outside of there. Seek a mentor or pay for a webinar or hands on class. Ask if they offer paid training to perfect skills and learn new techniques!
I was thrown into first job and had an interview where I am 99% sure didnt get because of other Etsy ( had three interview and third with her) that's when they decided not to hire me. Oh well there loss! This was when I was fresh out after working a short time period and took it to heart that I did something wrong. Now I know, could be a million reasons why but I hope it works out. If not just means something better for you ahead!
Anyway to get extractions to come out easier or acne do half ad give client a break?! Who wants 30min ( I know I made up time) of those? No more than 15 min I say and get what you cAn out, practice technique and safety- quality before quantity..
unless all they want is $ and fast turnover - get experience and keep looking! Cause if they treat clients that way - you will be too Office manager, owner who ever is above her- talk to if things don't change ASAP
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Permalink Reply by Lauren Snow on
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Like a previous post said, you may want to ask your esthetician "mentor" if she would be willing to do a facial on you so you can experience what the client should experience per her expectations. This would give her the opportunity to show you exactly what she wants you to do, but also put her in the hot seat to show you some compassion as she gets put to the test. I also think that the power of human touch will help break her down from being so cold to you.
Also ask her if she'd be interested in having the product rep come into work for training as you want to contact them for information about the products. And let her know it is not just for protocols, you want to know about the product technology, usage recommendations, tips and tricks, and sales talking points. That will hopefully help her understand why it's important. ;)If you want hard wax, bring in your own and start using it. Do a great job on the waxing and I am sure they will start buying it for you. Chances are, she probably doesn't know that much about hard wax and that's why she's acting that way. So offer the solution to the problem, and bring your own. Offer to wax her eyebrows or anything else she needs with hard wax. She may end up liking it too!
If she gets critical of you again, be respectful, but also ask her to show you exactly how to do whatever she is criticizing you about. Each time you do this, it will foster the relationship. It will also make sure that you are doing it the way she would prefer, when she's around. ;) Also, start bringing in your own clients so she doesn't feel like you're taking hers.Keep showing her how good the work relationship can be by including her, letting her feel like the "mentor" and deflecting any competitive actions/comments. My personal opinion is that the high road always takes you further. And I wouldn't talk to the doctor or clinic manager yet. That can do more damage than good. You likely don't know the relationship/past that the esti/boss have and if they have a good one, it could make you look like the problem. Try to resolve it with the esti first. If it doesn't get better, maybe then would be a good time. Hope that helps!
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