temporarily suspend business for any period of time? Will
you hire a professional cleaning service? (If so, who?) Will
you require your employees to be tested or offer to pay if
they choose to be tested?
Ultimately, one of the only certainties in this uncertain
time is that even spas that do all the “right” things may
find themselves subject to a claim or lawsuit. That said,
thinking through these considerations and working with
experienced legal counsel can have tremendous advantages.
The more that spas think about their potential liability
and make informed decisions about how to
proceed, the better prepared they will be to defend that
possible claim and focus on providing the best spa experience
possible to guests and employees. n
ABBE GONCHARSKY, J.D., is an experienced lawyer specializing in assisting businesses with risk analysis,
labor and employment law and human resources practices. She has previously spoken at the ISPA Conference
& Expo on topics around legal issues in the spa.
Abbe Goncharsky is licensed to practice law in Arizona and California. This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not create
an attorney-client relationship or constitute legal advice. Abbe encourages you to consult with experienced employment counsel regarding your
policies and processes and to evaluate your spa’s compliance with all applicable laws.
DIVE DEEPER WITH MICHAEL TOMPKINS
WITH NEW POLICIES, RULES AND GUIDELINES being given and
changed every day, it’s important that we not forget why we chose
our professions in hospitality and spa—to serve others and change
lives. Here are some tips to show your soft side and hone your soft skills in
uncertain times:
l Be a very proactive manager! Now is the most important time to be available for
staff and guests. Be consistent with your information and allow people to vent fear
and anxiety.
l Increase your “soft touch” points. With touch starvation a big concern, touch can come in many forms besides the
physical. Verbal praise, positive notes, affirmation cards, self-hug classes, laugh yoga, amenity gifts like cuddly
stuffed animals. We have all seen these items; now is the time to use them to combat touch deprivation.
l Be proactive in building your resume, fine-tuning your LinkedIn profile and updating your professional image.
In uncertain times, job losses or restructuring could come at any minute. Be prepared. A prepared candidate
always presents more successfully to prospective employers.
l Encourage offsite, safe-distancing team gatherings. Many managers remember fair and firm, but few
remember fun. Personal enjoyment is a team-builder tool that employees rarely forget.
l Practice acceptance. Acknowledging that everything is temporary (or can be) is an active process of stress
relief. Accepting does not mean you support or like the situation, but it gives the ability to alleviate unpleasant
experiences.
JULY 2020 ■ PULSE 57