Sydney salon boss divides Aussies with the start time rule she ‘hates’ her employees breaking – but does she have a point?

Aussies are divided over whether it’s fair for a business owner to ask her employees to arrive at work early to ensure appointments can start on time.

Jessica Mina asked her staff at Sheshwarz salon in Roselands in Sydney’s south-west to ensure they were punctual in footage of a staff meeting shared to TikTok. 

The hairdresser, who co-owns the business with her father, also asked that phone use be kept to an absolute minimum on the salon floor. 

‘This is one that I’ve said at every staff meeting for the billion years I’ve worked at Sheshwarz, I really hate when you walk in at the time you start,’ Ms Mina said. 

‘If you start at 9.30, if you start at 10, if you start at 12, be here ready to work at 12. 

‘I’m not asking you to come 20 minutes early, but have your bag put down, your coffee put down so you’re ready to start your 9.30 appointment. 

‘That’s such a burn job when you’re walking in and you’re saying hello to everybody at 9.30 and your client is there waiting.

‘Such a burn job, guys. I’m happy to start you later if you need, but when you’re walking in and someone’s waiting, it’s so uncomfortable sometimes, [especially] if your client’s like “I’ve been waiting” and you’re having a chat at the front.’

Some viewers were quick to point out that it was illegal for an employer to ask their staff to start work before they were getting paid. 

‘You can’t legally ask them that. If you are asking them to arrive 5 to 10 minutes early, you have to pay them,’ one person commented. 

‘Unpaid time is illegal, it must be paid whether it’s 5 or 10 minutes. Check your laws before making your own decisions,’ a second agreed. 

Ms Mina was quick to clarify her staff were paid from the moment they sign on. 

‘They are paid to be early, funny [there are] so many comments like this – paid to be early and still don’t come early,’ she replied to a comment.

Others took issue with her sharing footage of a team meeting on TikTok. 

‘Very unprofessional to put this online,’ one person said. 

‘What do you mean, this is so common in every workplace just putting it out there to let other businesses know that they’re not the only one dealing with this,’ she replied. 

Others felt the request for staff to arrive early was completely realistic.    

‘She’s not asking them to have their client in the chair five minutes early, she’s asking them to be ready to work at the time their shift starts,’ one person said. 

‘So if you disagree you are the problem.’

‘You’re paying them to work so they should be there and ready to work from that minute. Just like you don’t pay a break, you pay someone for their working minutes not for every minute they spend in the building,’ a second said. 

‘It’s called a job, so get in and be early as it gives the client a vibe that the place is professional,’ a third agreed. 

Australian Hairdressing Council chief executive Fiona Beamish told the Daily Mail that being ready to work at the start of a rostered shift was a reasonable expectation, but clarified that employees should be paid for all time worked.

‘In a service-based industry like hairdressing, clients often book appointments weeks or even months in advance and expect their service to begin on time,’ she said. 

‘Being organised, prepared and ready to start when a shift begins is part of delivering a professional client experience.’

Ms Beamish, who has been in the industry for over 30 years, explained the importance of being punctual, saying time was ‘incredibly valuable to clients’. 

‘Many are fitting appointments around work, family and other commitments,’ she said.

‘When appointments start late, it can create a ripple effect throughout the day and impact every client who follows, as well as the salon’s schedule. 

‘While clients are generally understanding if delays occur occasionally, consistent lateness can affect the overall customer experience and salon’s brand and potentially influence whether a client chooses to return.’

Ms Beamish said if a stylist is on their phone, it can have consequences for the salon.

‘Clients visit salons not only for the technical service but also for the experience, connection and personal attention,’ she said. 

‘If a stylist appears distracted by their phone during an appointment, some clients may perceive that as disengagement or a lack of focus.’

In some cases, she said customers might choose to take their business elsewhere.    

‘Clients generally expect their service provider to be present, attentive and focused on them. Maintaining that level of engagement is an important part of delivering the high-quality experience that keeps clients coming back,’ Ms Beamish said.