Groomers/ employees or private contractors?

[dizzmo]

Ok, I need some clarification. Are we employees or are we contractors? What is the difference? If we are employees, we follow the rules of the business and take our pay, the employer takes out our taxes and matches some. As a contractor our employer pays no taxes on us as an employee, so... Do they give us set hours, set our prices, own our clients and let us go when the job is done? What are the rights of a contracted groomer versus an emlpoyed groomer?

[luvpups]

Do a search on the boards it has been discussed here many times. You will get a lot of info!

[amysue2638]

Your best bet is to look on the IRS website for guidance (www.irs.gov) to be sure you are following the rules appropriately.

Here is a document that should help. P. 6 outlines the differences.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p15a.pdf

[nova133624]

I'm with you!!!! Seems like most of the shop owners really walk the line on this issue. Seems to me the only difference between them and us is they own the shop. When someone gets bit or hurt at work and takes them to court over it and wins, showing they are more employee than independent contractor, then maybe they will start seeing the light. You can't have it both ways...you are either an Independent Contractor or an Employee, not a little of each. Even though many many of us file a 1099 the shop owners still call the shots. I am beginning to think that we all should be setting our own appointments, hiring our own bathers, buying all of our own supplies and paying a shop owner rent just like the hairdressers do and truly be on our own. Until we do, we are going to be at the mercy of owners that are scared to raise prices, charge for matts, etc. and giving away our work to keep them in business. What are we doing????????????

[Helly]

Most of those shop owners are breaking the law. They seem to think that if they pay commission it makes the groomer an IC. This is so far from the truth it's probably not even in the same country.

For myself, I don't want to be an IC. If I wanted all that hassle I'd just open my own shop.

[Epiphany]

I agree!!!

I am beginning to think that we all should be setting our own appointments, hiring our own bathers, buying all of our own supplies and paying a shop owner rent just like the hairdressers do and truly be on our own. Until we do, we are going to be at the mercy of owners that are scared to raise prices, charge for matts, etc. and giving away our work to keep them in business. What are we doing????????????

I couldn't agree more! I just gave my notice and I've been wishing I could find a place to REALLY rent my space exactly like a hairdresser. The last place I worked for was trying to implement that kind of system, but she was asking $300.00 a week!!!! I said "For $1200.00 a month I could rent a better building than this one!" There was mold on the walls, half the floor tiles missing, we were drying our big dogs with house fans and our AC never worked! Needless to say that's when I quit there!
Is there no place where the owner hasn't gone crazy with greed?!?!

[bitty]

Dizzmo, as an IC you don't have an employer. There are rules to abide by through the IRS. You can contact them at there website. Good Luck!!

[nova133624]

It's me again

This subject of Independent Contractor vs. Employee is such a thorn in my side that I had to speak again.

How many of us are told what days to work, what time to be there, what to charge, de-matt a dog (all of OUR labor) and have to split it with self-serving, greedy, narrow minded, only care about themselves, owners.

I at this time can't afford to open a shop. I am in Tampa and the average rent in a great area is 40-50 sq ft. Doesn't take a "math major" too long to figure out l,000 sq ft. would be around $5,000 month. How can you possibly afford that. The grooming schools are putting out horrible beginner groomers by the tons and we experienced groomers to the shop owners are replacable. The shop owners love it...they have a body in their shop grooming dogs. No matter if it is good or not. They use to respect and take care of us. Those days are gone here. I love to groom; more than any other thing I have ever done but something's got to give.

Maybe we need a Union. Where we get benefits, vacations, and respect.

[scullysmom]

I have been grooming since 92 and I have never been an IC there are shops out there that have actual employees believe me I am now one of them. I understand the want to do that though. I inherited lazy groomers from another shop who were paid hourly, and did not understand why they needed to groom at a higher rate. I am very glad they are gone now!!!!! Nothing but a headache. They would operate at a 70-120% average and that was before matching. What a loss, I should have fired both as it is I only got to fire one.

[OneRook]

This subject of Independent Contractor vs. Employee is such a thorn in my side that I had to speak again.

How many of us are told what days to work, what time to be there, what to charge, de-matt a dog (all of OUR labor) and have to split it with self-serving, greedy, narrow minded, only care about themselves, owners.
...

I have been an IC and do not mind taking a share of what I bring to the shop. The owner takes on the rent, utilities, equipment, shampoo, ear cleaner, etc. And I have the expense of my tools.

What I do mind is the greedy owner increasing what the charge "should have been" so her split is increased, just because I get some generous tips from satisfied clients and the tip is not split. All the while she claims all people are greedy and are trying to rob her.

It is a real pain to find a shop owner that truly cares about the dogs and people more than the $$$$.

[groomingranny]

employees or IC's

well I have always been paid 60% , all dematt ,walk in nail trims,anal glands etc; are mine. have been at same place 21yrs. They constantly are tRYING to overide a price by bitchin' to me or giving them a $5 discount coupon over the counter, that are supposed to be for New Customers only . I get the same people using coupons time after time, one lady haasn't paid full price in 2yrs because she knows if she asks for a coupon she will get one. I pay $2.50 on the coupon as does the owner, at the end of the week sometimes they really take a bite out of my ck. Recently I took 4days off because i really needed it , work 6days a week including sat and sun. My only day off is wed. You would have thought i had committed the ultimate crime. Tried to hire my 18yr old daughter out from under me at 10 % less than she makes now and when she basically told him to go fly a kite, he told her not to come back into his kennel because he didn't need her. Now tell me, how can you fire someone who doesnot work for you ,never has and NEVER will. I make good money but boy do I have to take a lot of ****.

[hairdevil]

granny? why do you stay at such a place? you should be able to find a good job at a decent place! don't take that ****...move onto higher ground! lol

[groomingranny]

employees or IC's

man I wish I had the courage to leave there. I am sooo afraid that I won't be able to make that amount of money elsewhere and my family needs me to make that kind of money, I would love to open my awn shop again and have a few boarding clients of my own but the cheapest place I have found was $4800 a month and I just don't see that kind of income just starting out. He has me between a rock and a really hard place and he knows it.

[blhickson]

Shop Owner needs feedback re: IC opinions

I appreciate this information from groomers who feel like they're getting shafted by shop owners. I own my own shop, bought 4 yrs. ago, had to learn how to groom since the groomers who came and went were more interested in making fast money than developing a clientele. I've had 3 complaints from my grooming in 3 1/2 yrs. People like the way we turn out their dogs and I take pride in making all of them look ready for Westminster. We have an upper end clientele who don't mind paying the price for good service and style, but I've had a hard time keeping another groomer. Any groomer that brings her/his own clients can charge whatever they like; established customers have pretty much fixed prices for the time being, but I always solicited input on price from the IC groomer if she groomed that pet and considered price increase strategies if it was necessary. If the shop pays for all shampoos, conditioners, finishing sprays, fluff-out, and we charge extra for special shampoos and conditioners, should a contract groomer get a percentage of the "special" shampoo price when the charge is added to the grooming bill? Our bather/dryers de-mat the pets pre-bath, so should the IC get commission for the shop's de-matting charge? The groomers don't have to bathe or dry their dogs unless they want to. The groomers here have made good money, according to them, as much as the other places they've groomed. One groomer had been a shop manager at a national chain for several years in 2 different cities.
It seems groomers "move on" when business gets lean, after Christmas and New Year's, and can't be guaranteed a certain number of grooms every day. I have never "guaranteed" a number of grooms for any groomer. Are there any guarantees in life? Am I doing something wrong here?
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Business is so good that if I had a groomer/manager to help me, I could open another shop. Thanks.

[hairdevil]

an IC should not get any money from the backbar. that is the house. some people will give them a certain percentage I think..like the chain stores do hairdressers.