Blow the Whistle or Bite Your Tongue?
Ask the Expert
By Nina McIntosh
Originally published in Skin Deep, October/November 2004.
Copyright 2004. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. All rights reserved.
Q: I'm a licensed esthetician in California working as an independent contractor in a spa. There are certain practices that only licensed cosmetologists are allowed to do here, such as eyelash perming or dying. Consequently, I do not offer these services. However, other contracted estheticians do. When I confronted them and the spa owners, they downplayed it and said they weren't hurting anyone. Should I report them to the regulating boards?
A: I agree with you that such work is very risky for the client and also for the spa that allows it. One mistake and they could be shut down and facing big lawsuits.
It's clear you feel strongly about this, and it's a serious violation. However, I would give them a chance to clean up their act before you report them. Perhaps you could point out that they are putting themselves (not to mention the clients) in grave danger. You might then explain that you feel they are in serious violation and that you are considering reporting them to the regulating boards. Of course, this might be the end of your business relationship with them.
Another option would be to write an anonymous letter to them with the same information, as a warning, and see if they change their practices. But remember, you've already expressed concern, so they might suspect the letter is from you.
Either way, you risk losing your job. But you have to consider what it does to your sense of integrity to work at a place that is doing something you so strongly
disagree with.
Nina McIntosh, author of The Educated Heart: Professional Guidelines for Massage Therapists, Bodyworkers and Movement Teachers, is an industry consultant specializing in ethics issues.
Copyright 2004. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. All rights reserved.
Q: I'm a licensed esthetician in California working as an independent contractor in a spa. There are certain practices that only licensed cosmetologists are allowed to do here, such as eyelash perming or dying. Consequently, I do not offer these services. However, other contracted estheticians do. When I confronted them and the spa owners, they downplayed it and said they weren't hurting anyone. Should I report them to the regulating boards?
A: I agree with you that such work is very risky for the client and also for the spa that allows it. One mistake and they could be shut down and facing big lawsuits.
It's clear you feel strongly about this, and it's a serious violation. However, I would give them a chance to clean up their act before you report them. Perhaps you could point out that they are putting themselves (not to mention the clients) in grave danger. You might then explain that you feel they are in serious violation and that you are considering reporting them to the regulating boards. Of course, this might be the end of your business relationship with them.
Another option would be to write an anonymous letter to them with the same information, as a warning, and see if they change their practices. But remember, you've already expressed concern, so they might suspect the letter is from you.
Either way, you risk losing your job. But you have to consider what it does to your sense of integrity to work at a place that is doing something you so strongly
disagree with.
Nina McIntosh, author of The Educated Heart: Professional Guidelines for Massage Therapists, Bodyworkers and Movement Teachers, is an industry consultant specializing in ethics issues.
