22 October 2024
State of the Industry Survey Highlights that Recruitment Remains Low
The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has released key findings from its most recent quarterly State of the Industry survey that took place in September. The survey highlights the ongoing challenges that the sector faces in the current economic climate including responding to significant wage rate rises between 10-20% in April 2024.
The recovery for the sector is still slow but steady. In particular sector recruitment intentions for both staff and apprentices still remain low with 75% of businesses saying that it is harder to recruit now than 12 months ago.
Key findings include:
- Making a profit/loss: with 46% making a profit and 41% breaking even, slightly fewer businesses are making a loss (14% down from 16% in July).
- Prices: after price rises in April to cover rising wage rates, there was a slight reduction in prices going up over the previous 3 months; 40% (down from 58% in July) of businesses raised their prices. A further 56% will do so over the next three months.
Read the full press release here.
Supporting Your Business: New Resources coming soon!
The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 is a new law that will come into effect in the UK on 26 October 2024.
Employers will have a legal obligation to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their employees. This includes harassment from third parties as well as from within the organisation. The Act also has other measures in place that employers will need to be aware of.
The Act applies to England, Wales, and Scotland. It represents a significant shift in responsibility, placing the onus on employers to address inappropriate conduct.
We've Got You Covered!
Great news! As part of your membership, we've developed a complete resource pack to help you implement the new Worker Protection Act requirements coming this October.
Making Work Pay: Consultation package
The government is seeking views on strengthening remedies against abuse of rules on collective redundancy and fire and rehire.
This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 2 December 2024. If you have any feedback on the consultation/either consultation please email rosina.robson@nhbf.co.uk.
The government is seeking views on measures to strengthen the collective redundancy framework and protections for employees against fire and rehire practices.
For the collective redundancy framework, the government is seeking views on the proposal to increase the maximum period of the protective award that a tribunal can award.
The government is considering 2 options:
- increase the protective award that a tribunal can award from 90 to 180 days
- remove the cap on the protective award entirely.
The government is also seeking views on Strengthening Statutory Sick Pay
The Employment Rights Bill includes measures to strengthen Statutory Sick Pay for those who need it most, by removing the existing requirements to serve waiting days and extending eligibility to those earning below the Lower Earnings Limit. The Department for Work and Pensions is therefore launching a consultation to support this ambition, and ensure that the safety net of sick pay is available for those who need it most.
Modern slavery victims to be supported in fresh measures
Victims of modern slavery will be better supported in fresh measures unveiled by the government.
The government has pledged to eradicate the backlog of decisions on modern slavery cases within 2 years, giving thousands of women, men and children who may have suffered traumatic sexual, physical and economic abuse the clarity needed to assist with their recovery.
Currently, many victims face long delays in having their status as a victim of modern slavery confirmed through the national referral mechanism, via a conclusive grounds decision. This can lead to prolonged uncertainty and mental health suffering.
Your chance to feature in salonfocus magazine
To coincide with National Apprenticeship Week in February next year, the NHBF’s award-winning magazine, salonfocus, is inviting Members to celebrate apprentices. If you are an NHBF Member who employs apprentices, we would love to hear from you and feature you and your apprentice in the Winter edition of salonfocus. Please tag us using on Instagram with our handle @NHBFsocial for a chance to showcase your future salon stars.
Campaigning for you – salon visit with local MP
Last week, the NHBF met with Lilian Greenwood MP for Nottingham South and Minister in the Department for Transport. During her visit to the Franchi Hairdressing salon in Arnold, Nottingham, we discussed a range of issues including the challenges of doing business, the quality of local college courses, the need for VAT reform and targeted support for employers.
If you have written to your MP requesting a meeting/visit please let us know and we’ll try and join you rosina.robson@nhbf.co.uk.