Employee stealing dogs????

[PamperedPaws]

I think my assistant has taken a few of my regulars. I cant prove it, yet. But I am pretty sure she is doing these dogs at her home. I've lost three, and they all know her from church and she can do them cheaper (but not better). I've tried calling these clients but no answer and I dont want to leave message. I think if they went to another groomer they would come out and say it. It is a very small town and only 3 groomers in the area so you know who goes where to get there dog done and i will find out. This employee signed a no compete contract when she started and I think she tells them she could lose her job if they tell. Am I wrong to assume this? What does it sound like to you guys? I will wait until I have proof before I confront her but until then its hard working w/her and keeping my mouth shut.

Stephen: You can have employees sign confidentiality forms like those in From Problems to Profits, and add more coverage. This then makes it clearly wrong for them for this behavior, copying records, brochures, phone numbers and tons of things. I urge every employer to use these forms because without them even when you prove it the person usually gets off because they didn't sign something a judge can review and say, you were advised etc.

[Gracy Rose]

I agree with Stephens commercial :-)lol. I don't think it begins out with these intentions but many times it ends up this way, regardless it is still WRONG.

I had a groomer who offered to help a client out and take the dog home one day, then it became a habit, then she was just grooming the dog there. Next, the neighbor who was our client found out and decided it was more convenient. It happens, forms, clauses and protection are good things but don't rest your faith in them. Still, double check.

[ginnybaci]

well. . . whatever you do, you can't involve the client.

[SpikeyTheYorkie]

Since she knows these people from church, then she should know the 10 commandments, one of which is THOU SHALT NOT STEAL CLIENTS!!

(Close enough).

Tammy in Utah

[hairdevil]

If it were me, I would just come right out and ask her. If you don't trust this person, confront her. I can't work with someone that I don't trust. Bottom line. Its not worth it. Better a few...next she'll be opening down the street and walking off with half your customers cutting your prices. Been there done that. nip it in the bud.

[ejmj30]

Passive-aggressive mode of attack:

Break down in tears in front of your employee saying you're stressed out, that so and so regular customer isn't coming in anymore and you're not sure what you're doing wrong, blah blah blah. Plus so and so (another regular) isn't coming in either or answering your calls. What's going on? See if she fesses up, or if the clients magically reappear.

Not the healthiest way to deal with it, but it's an option, lol.

[CountryCanines]

Can you do a "drive by" and see if the dogs are freshly groomed? LOL.
I would come straight out & ask. Are these the only 3 clients she has taken? I had to sign a contract at my last job stating I would not contact clients. This was after a groomer had quit when she bought a salon. She got into the computer files and got ALL her clients info and contacted them when she left. Of course, many went w/her to her new salon which was a few miles from us. My boss had no proof of what she did, so was unable to do anything. Man did he get that contract drawn up quickly for the rest of us to sign!

[baddog]

Well since the "church people" won't call you back, lie to your employee. Tell her you ran into Mrs X at the supermarket and she was "just thrilled" that "susie" was grooming her dogs, it was saving her money so she was donating the difference to the church. Stand back and wait for a response, immediately fire her and let her leave with nothing.

This is why I do all the computer work, I do not have "card files" , too easy to steal. I write the haircut instruction on the board each morning. I only put names and contact #'s in the appt book. Protect your client list, it's very valuable. I also think my employees know if they steal, a ribbon or $2000, it's the same to me. I think that is the lowest of lows. I read a lot on this board of people "going out on their own" asking how to tell "their clients". If I pay to advertise to bring in clients to the shop, regardless of who grooms them , they are shop clients, not the individual groomers clients. I once fired a groomer (after 2 days) because she presented me with a list of names and numbers she stole from her former employer. I than called her former employer and notified her of the theft. I am too successful to have to "steal" from someone elses business.

[rapuzzled]

That's a tough one. I think that if you asked her right out, she'd probably lie, lol. I think that Stephen offers some excellent advice and you know what, if you bring another contract out, one that is more specific to what you think that she is doing, then maybe she will start to really think about it. She may then realize that you know what she is doing, and decide against it. In any case, good luck with it all! I hope that you can get it figured out.

[SpikeyTheYorkie]

Well since the "church people" won't call you back, lie to your employee. Tell her you ran into Mrs X at the supermarket and she was "just thrilled" that "susie" was grooming her dogs, it was saving her money so she was donating the difference to the church. Stand back and wait for a response, immediately fire her and let her leave with nothing.

This is why I do all the computer work, I do not have "card files" , too easy to steal. I write the haircut instruction on the board each morning. I only put names and contact #'s in the appt book. Protect your client list, it's very valuable. I also think my employees know if they steal, a ribbon or $2000, it's the same to me. I think that is the lowest of lows. I read a lot on this board of people "going out on their own" asking how to tell "their clients". If I pay to advertise to bring in clients to the shop, regardless of who grooms them , they are shop clients, not the individual groomers clients. I once fired a groomer (after 2 days) because she presented me with a list of names and numbers she stole from her former employer. I than called her former employer and notified her of the theft. I am too successful to have to "steal" from someone elses business.

ROFL, I like the response. Now here is an off this particular topic question: Since you don't use file cards, how do your groomers know what to do on which particular dog? White board? Chalk board? You give them verbal instructions? Etc etc...I'd LOVE not to use file cards, but not sure how I'd communicate to the employee without them, what's your idea?

Tammy in Utah

[baddog]

I use a dry erase board, each groomer has a specific color marker, baths are all blue, I have a 4 colum system, Dogs name__cut__time in/out__price. I put the prices on the board (out of customers view) so every thing is even , no one has all $75 dogs, while the other s have all $40. dogs. I try to be as fair as possible. The colums are written from left to right in a "list " form.I feel the timein/out colum is great , it really keeps you on schedule.

[SpikeyTheYorkie]

I use a dry erase board, each groomer has a specific color marker, baths are all blue, I have a 4 colum system, Dogs name__cut__time in/out__price. I put the prices on the board (out of customers view) so every thing is even , no one has all $75 dogs, while the other s have all $40. dogs. I try to be as fair as possible. The colums are written from left to right in a "list " form.I feel the timein/out colum is great , it really keeps you on schedule.

Does the receptionist write all of this down on the dry erase board? Sounds tedious, but on the other hand, sounds organized. What if something gets erased accidently? "Oops, I erased Buffy Jones when I meant to erase Bowzer Smith." Do you have it in the computer as well?

Definitely like the time in/out column, as that is the hardest part for me to keep organized!

Tammy in Utah

[baddog]

No one gets erased until the day is over, I have 2 boards so I can write 40 dogs in. I do the board, no one gets into my computer, no one. It takes me about 20 minutes to do the board and it also get me a "visual' of what the day is going to be like. This way my groomers never have to ask "who do you want me to groom next?" My bathers are awesome and dig right in. It is a system that works for me and it keeps my files, MY FILES! The only way someone could "steal" a client from me would be by taking the appt book, unlikely. I trust my employees however, the business is mine to protect. I back my files up on a remote computer at my house.

[azoci]

a similar case, prosucution underway...

ther is a similar situation goingon right now that I know about...but of course it has gone farther, and the "employees" did walk off with the card file and the clients...well they tried too, at least.

However, the shop owner had everything backed up (file) at her home office on the computer...the one thing that she has in her favor...
is that first of all she has client sign an agreement...in essesnce the key woding...
"I agree to have [shop/salon] groom my pet"...signature of owner.

this simple statement, according to her lawyer, will protect her, and afford her the option to prosecute the theft of her clients . As it turns out, many of her loyal clients are up set that the employees have tried to 'steel'...we'll see where this goes....

You as a shop owner, needs to protect your assets, and clients are assets...If you live in WV, there is a law on the books about "Pirating of Clients" , very interesting reading...and enforcable. So...how do you plan to do this?