The Data Protection Act

Any organisation that keeps information on record about people (staff or clients) must:

• register with the Data Protection Registrar

• ensure that all information is accurate and up-to-date

• provide access to the person’s own record if requested.

The Data Protection Act was introduced to protect people from the possible results of inaccurate or out of date information being held on them – this can affect amongst other things, a person’s credit rating, medical treatments or employment opportunities.

Anyone can ask to see their record and it is the responsibility of the organisation to provide access to it but no one has the right to see the records relating to another person.

Give an example of what might happen if the wrong information about a person’s employment history is entered onto the record.

What may happen if you allow someone to see confidential information about another person?

Salon rules of confidentiality, their importance and what might happen if confidentiality is not observed

All salons have a responsibility to their clients and to their staff to maintain confidentiality relating to their personal details – for example, address, telephone number or salary. The salon also needs to ensure that details of the services provided to individual clients remain private as well as the information that clients give to hairdressers during consultation. If confidentiality rules are broken it will result in loss of clients and loss of business to the salon. In turn, this will result in loss of jobs for hairdressers.

The consequences of breaking the confidentiality rules vary from salon to salon unless the Data Protection Act is contravened. If this happens the person whose details have been revealed can take legal action. This can result in high fines.

It is likely that a clause will be included in staff Contracts of Employment to ensure that they know not to reveal any information about clients or their colleagues and that they understand the consequences of breaking the rules.

Legal responsibilities for describing the features and benefits of products and services (page 1 of 2)

The Sale of Goods Act and some parts of the Consumer Protection Act state that goods sold in the salon must be ‘of satisfactory quality’ and that customers have the right to know what they are buying. If the goods have been misrepresented, ie, if the sales person has not told the full truth about them, then the customer is entitled to compensation. The Supply of Goods and Services Act covers not only goods but also services and this Act states that services must be provided ‘with reasonable care and skill’.

You must be aware that the goods that are sold in salons include the products that we, as hairdressers use. For example, for colouring, styling, perming or relaxing. Because these goods are used directly on the hair and scalp we have an even greater responsibility to take all reasonable precautions against the product causing harm to the client.

Clients have the right to know what you propose to do to their hair and what products you plan to put onto it. They must be given enough information to be able to make a judgement as to whether or not they want the process to proceed. You must ensure that you state in advance the features and the benefits of the products and services that you intend to provide. This is usually done during the initial consultation with the client, and can continue throughout the service or treatment.

Remember, that the features of the products may appeal to some clients, but not to others. For example, a temporary colour will only last for one shampoo. This may be good for some clients. However, to a client who requires a longer lasting colour, this feature would not be very appealing.

The Trades Description Act requires that all advertising claims attached to products (this can be on the packaging or on display posters) must be accurate. This mainly affects manufacturers because they usually provide the packaging and advertising materials but if a client has a valid complaint the salon will be held legally responsible. In this case, the salon must then pursue a claim against the manufacturer.

It is in your own interests to describe products and services accurately in order that the client can make informed decisions about proceeding with services.

In addition you must ensure that the client does not have expectations that cannot be fulfilled. This would result in the client being disappointed and the salon reputation being damaged.

The services and products available for use in your salon

It is your responsibility to learn about the products that are available for use in your salon. You should learn how to use them by reading and understanding the manufacturer’s instructions. If you are still unsure, you must ask a more senior colleague for advice and guidance.

One of the best ways of learning about products is to use them on your own hair. This allows you to experience their benefits or disadvantages. It is not possible to use all the different types of products – some will be unsuitable for your hair type or condition, but by finding out about them you will be better able to advise clients.

To be able to provide a high standard of hairdressing services you must learn and practise as much as possible all of the procedures that your job includes. Develop your skills and knowledge about all of the services that you provide to clients.

How do you learn about new products and procedures in your salon?

What suggestions can you make to improve the way your salon helps you to learn about new products and procedures?

Discuss your suggestions and those of your group with your trainer.

This handout covers:

• Salon procedures and manufacturers' instructions in relation to conducting tests

• How and when tests are carried out on the hair

• The importance of doing tests and the potential consequences of failing to do so

The tests that you must know about are as follows:

• skin test

• elasticity test

• porosity test

• incompatibility test

• strand test

• perm development test

• pre-colouring test.

You must learn about each test:

• when to do it

• how to do it

• why it should be done

• the expected results

• the possible consequences of failing to test.

Your trainer will give you an information sheet about tests and testing. You must learn all of the details on this sheet.

Other than causing damage to the client’s hair or skin, what else may happen if you carry out a process without doing the recommended test and the result is not as required?