What do you think of this idea?

SuzySu

I am a fully qualified holistic therapist and was wondering about offering corporate massage where I work. Everyone there works a 9-day fortnight (which basically means working slightly longer days Mon-Thur one week then Mon-Fri the next) which, in reality, means having every other Friday off - paid.

So, I wondered whether I should approach my HR department and see what they say. I've had the idea for months now, but am too scared to do anything concrete. Trouble is, my insurance has expired and, unless I could guarantee some regular work, I can't afford to renew it (chicken and egg situation).

My plan would be to work Mon-Thurs both weeks and do the massage every Friday because only half the staff are off at a time so if I did it on my Friday off, the same people would benefit and not the others (hope you follow me).

I could make up the time by working an extra half hour each day so I wouldn't lose any pay from my main job.

For one reason and another staff morale is very low at the moment so I think this could be seen as management actually considering their employees for once (I don't think the upcoming pay rises will be anything to write home about).

Any ideas/pifalls that you can see....?

immoral_angeluk

I don't know much about how you'd go about it but there's no harm in asking. What's the worst that could happen?

Skint_Catt

Sounds good to me though depends on the company etc.

One company I worked at had an ex-employee who had left to do massage come in every friday afternoon 12 - 5 to do a shoulder and neck massage for half an hour - it was a lovely finish to the week and the only perk we got other than free sarnies at lunch (though we didn't get a lunch break).

Put together a proposal looking at it from your point, the companies point and the employees point and go for it!

blueforyou

Hello. I work in HR for a large company. For your idea to be acceptable its going to depend on your companies strateguy for its employees. We generally accept these sort of ideas as long as work does not suffer. A local agreement with your manager to try your idea for an agreed amount of time might be a good start. Have you got an occupational health department/person?. Maybe getting them on-side might be worth doing first if it benefits staff health and morale etc. Good luck!

Deep_In_Debt

Definitely go for it. I'm the same as you and I work full time for a large insurance company and I offer Indian Head Massage, Sports Massage and various other therapies in our Sports & Social Club. It's convenient for the staff as they can come straight from work. I do a lunch time sessions too and am very flexible. My company are great about it as they feel it boosts staff morale. They are a very laid back company though and I've been there a long time so that helps. Give me a shout if you'd like to know anything further. I also sell Avon and Oriflame at the same time. Cheeky, I know but I have debts!

JPS29

Hi,

My OH is a fully qualified HT too. If you do get the green light for this and renew your insurance you can also supplement your income by attending mind body and spirit festivals/fairs. Clients normally pay £5/£10 for a "taster" treatment, some of which end up being long term clients.

Also do you have a YWCA near you? My OH used to give the young women treatments there as it improved their well being, took their mind off their problems.

HTH

ITBS

SuzySu

Thanks for your suggestions.

IA - I suppose the worst they can do is say 'no' but I would feel such a failure.

Skint_Catt - did both the male and female employees take this up? I have done a lot of research on the benefits of massage (especially these days when most employees are desk and computer-bound). I have worked out that I could realistically see 15 clients at a charge to the company of £100 (net) per day which works out at just over £6 per client for a 20 minute massage. I think this is very reasonable.

Blueforyou - I think that employee morale is low at the moment in our company for one reason and another, and management are aware of this. There have been a few people off with 'stress' recently. I don't know how much of it is work-related, but it happens. I agree - a trial period might be a good way to start. Unfortunately no occupational health department, but HR are quite approachable (when they're not off on maternity leave).

Skint_Catt

SuzySu yes they did. We all founght for the 4.30 slot though as you were useless afterwards and just ewanted to go home

By the way - you're not the Sue that sits opposite me and work who's just finished her course and is trying to start up her own business doing this are you? :rotfl:

Deep_In_Debt

Hi Suzy Su, I charge my clients by the hour - usually £15.00 but depending on what they want (Yikes! sounds a bit dodgy!!) I do the Mind Body Spirit festivals locally and give free 10 or 15 minute tasters and build up a clientele that way. Bought a nice therapy couch on Ebay recently so am even more flexible. My plan is to do this full time when I have paid off my debts.

Thanks for the PM - do give me a shout if I can help further.

BTW, selling Avon, Oriflame and anything else you can think of at the same time works too!

SuzySu

Thanks for all your replies.

Skint_Catt - Not the same Sue. Blame it on my parents for giving me such a common name - I'm definitely a child of the 60s. The massage I am intending to give is a more invigorating than relaxing one as I don't want to be blamed for any decrease in productivity - can you imagine!

I want to get one of those on-site massage chairs so no lying down involved. Don't know whether you've ever tried one. They are very comfortable but the clients don't drift off to sleep.

flutterbyuk25

Fab idea, go for it, if they say no you wouldn't have lost out on anything. You wouldn't be a failure, if they did say no it would be for a valid reason.

I'd love it if we had this in my place of work, i work in call centre so have to sit at desk all day and deal with the occasional irate customer. I suffer with painful shoulder/back and would love a massage on site. I do go for them occassionally but I have to take day off/go on weekend and would find it fab if i could have one in my lunch or after work.

good luck with it

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