All artists must follow salon community policies in order to conduct business at The Network.

Table of Contents:

• Culture Contract
• Artist & Team Health Policies
• Artist Policies Expanded
• Salon Policies for Clients

The Network Salon Culture Contract

(Copyright The Network Salon)

All artists working at The Network Salon are required to sign our company culture contract, which outlines the expectations and standards for how we conduct ourselves as a team. By creating a culture contract, we establish a baseline for our salon's culture, allowing us to foster a positive and respectful working environment. We value each individual's uniqueness and respect their right to operate their own business within our salon community. It is important that all renters and employees familiarize themselves with this agreement, ask any necessary questions, and sign it only if they fully understand and agree to its contents.

At The Network, our priorities are:

1. Providing a safe, comfortable, and non-toxic work environment for our artists and employees. We prioritize this above occupancy rates and will do everything necessary to protect our culture.

The reasons why this comes first are:

• Walking our talk: Our mission is to elevate the beauty industry, and we lead by example. By creating an amazing workplace at The Network, we set a standard not only in Connecticut but also worldwide.
• Good Vibes = Great Business: When artists stay with us for extended periods, our team and overall atmosphere grow stronger, making our space even more special for our artists, team, and guests.
• Being part of your story: We hope to be a positive influence in your career journey, helping you achieve your dreams. Our goal is for you to speak highly of our salon, recommend us to others, and always consider The Network as a supportive part of your professional path.
• Building a true community: When our artists are happy and trust one another, we encourage referrals among team members. This helps in situations where you may need a day off, have niche-specific requests, or experience client overflow.

What you can expect from our leadership team:

• Consistently maintaining a clean, organized, and safe salon environment. We hold everyone accountable for cleaning up after themselves, conduct regular deep cleanings, and have dedicated support staff for common areas.
• Ensuring effective communication flows so that no one feels left out or out of the loop. We utilize verbal check-ins, salon surveys, feedback forms, monthly virtual "town hall" meetings with open Q&A sessions, optional coaching/check-ins, and a dedicated guest care team. As salon owners, we are committed to being attentive and invested in addressing any concerns.
• Respecting the boundaries set by each artist. Please let us know what makes you comfortable, including areas where you prefer not to receive support, to ensure we strike the right balance without being intrusive.

What we owe to our artists:

• A safe and non-toxic work environment.
• A clean and organized space.
• A culture of kindness.
• Care, concern, and attention to all issues.
• Swift action and response to all feedback.

What our artists owe to The Network:

• Timely payment of rent.
• Respect for the boundaries, clients, personal space, and property of fellow renters and the salon.
• Maintaining cleanliness, organization, and safety in the shared space.
• Practicing kindness consistently.
• Being mindful of working in a community setting, where our actions impact those around us.
• Providing feedback and honestly communicating any issues that require immediate attention within the salon.
• Giving The Network 30 days' notice before vacating your station, allowing us time to fill the vacancy.

Possible warning signs that this contract is being violated:

For our leaders:

• Neglecting to acknowledge obvious issues.
• Failing to address feedback or problems in a timely manner.
• Engaging in gossip about other team members.
• Not holding artists accountable for clear violations.
• Failing to maintain the promised cleanliness and organization of the salon.

For artists:

• Late rent payments
• Disrespect towards other artists' areas and belongings
• Stealing or failing to return borrowed items
• Neglecting to clean up after themselves
• Failure to maintain personal areas and equipment
• Engaging in unkind statements or gossip about salon/fellow artists
• Allowing problems to persist without reporting them to leadership
• Disregarding salon mandates and rules outlined in the contract

If you believe this contract has been seriously violated:

1. Initiate a direct conversation with the involved parties within 24 hours to clarify any misunderstandings. 
2. AND/OR report the issue to leadership (Lauren, or Gina).

If the issue is determined to be beyond a misunderstanding, the company will conduct an investigation and transparently share the process and findings with the entire team.

Consequences for violating our culture contract:

Verbal warning for the first offense

Written warning for the second offense

On the third recorded offense, the lessee will receive a 14-day notice to vacate their station and transition out of the salon.

We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for illegal drug use, alcohol consumption during working hours, sexual harassment, violence, fraud, as well as any form of racial, gender, or LGBTQ+ discrimination.

We reserve the right to modify this contract at any time and communicate changes to the team through written memos.

Here at The Network we take everyone’s health and well-being seriously. 

We expect our artists to use their best judgement and respect their fellow artists and the support team's health when they are not feeling well or become sick. Please consider staying home if you have the following symptoms:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Muscle or body aches
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

What if I test positive for COVID-19:

Artists who test positive for COVID-19 should follow current CDC guidelines. Management is not responsible for COVID-19 testing fees. Rent must still be paid during quarantine.

Do I have to be vaccinated to work at The Network?

The Network does not discriminate against anyone based on their vaccination status. It is up to each individual to decide their medical choices. Any shaming, bullying or gossip about another person’s vaccination status or lack thereof will be flagged and given 1 warning that could lead to being asked to leave the community. Gossip or discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.

Do I have to wear a mask at The Network?

Masks are optional at The Network unless you are returning from having COVID and follow. If your client wants you to wear a mask please wear a mask for the best professional experience possible.

Clear is kind, unclear is unkind. Please read our policies so you know exactly what we mean when we share them. Most policies have stayed the same but some have been updated for more clarification and to help adjust to more artists in the salon.

Paying rent on time: All rent is deducted via direct debit on Tuesdays. Rental amount is $300/week. Retail commissions are 10% and may be used towards rent, product purchases or banked for time off. Payment plans can be created to help you save for paternity leave or vacations please contact Lauren.

Network Survey and Town Hall Meeting: Need support or have an issue you need to discuss? Schedule time directly with Lauren. If you would like an appointment with Gina schedule here: https://calendly.com/ginabianca/meeting | Town Hall Meetings are held quarterly.

Community Phone Number: All artists must be subscribed to our Community texting platform so they can receive urgent messages when they come about.

How to subscribe: text "networkfam" to (203) 587-8741 Save this number as The Network Community.

Management Hours: Part of your Network membership is over 100 hours of support from Gina, Lauren & additional support staff. Ask the front desk for support first for basic salon needs, then Lauren. If you need mentorship/guidance, Gina is available. If there is an urgent need for something (building issue and nobody is there) please text Gina - (203) 592-6515 or Steve - (860) 605-8643.

Respecting the boundaries, clients, personal space and property of fellow renters and the salon: Artists are allowed to use their station, a metal tray and 1 rolling chair. The rolling chair and trays must never be stored or left in between stations blocking the walking path. Artist must store their rolling chair in front of their regular chair when not in use and be sure to sanitize all metal trays and store them in designated areas (not in another artist's space). Artists must never enter another artist's station or cabinet without permission and when borrowing with permission, return anything borrowed right away and in the same condition they found it. Backbar is available to all artists, but must be returned to the proper place directly after use.

Double Booking Policy: Artists are allowed to use a maximum two salon seats at one time. Artists may, for example, have one guest in their chair and one guest at the color bar or sink. Artists may not use two sinks at one time. Artists may double book a maximum of two clients at one time and may on occasion work with an assistant who stays out of the walkways and out of the way in general. Assistants must abide by all Network Salon Policies and must be introduced to the team so it's not like there is a random person in the salon working. Assistants may not take their own clients without paying $100 day rent. Artists may only blow-dry at their station and nowhere else in the salon.

Clients must come to their appointment alone. If your client shows up with an entourage, family or friends they must stay off the salon floor. It's up to the artist to communicate this policy to each client before they arrive and if the client shows up not alone, it is up to the artist to share this policy with them. Management will have the conversation if needed, however if the artist is clearly not communicating this there will be a conversation between management and the artist. Multiple violations will result in losing your chair.

Children are welcome in the salon by appointment only. Clients are not allowed to bring children to their appointment. It's up to the artist to communicate this policy to each client before they arrive and if the client shows up with children, it is up to the artist to share this policy with them. Management will have the conversation if needed, however if the artist is clearly not communicating this there will be a conversation between management and the artist. Multiple violations will result in losing your chair.

Friends and Family Policy: Friends and family are NOT allowed in the break room, behind the desk or dispensary. Only artists are allowed in these areas. Friends and family may not hang out on the salon floor and are welcome to relax in reception as long as they are not in groups of two or more. Family and friends in groups of more than two must wait outside in the car or in the building common area to reduce the amount of people inside the salon.

Scope of services: Artists at The Network are primarily hair artists. We prefer hair be the only services provided however artists are allowed to do eyebrow waxing or threading. You must have all clients fill out a liability waiver releasing the Network of any and all liability. If you are waxing eyebrows in the salon please share your waiver with management for confirmation. Brow waxing must be performed in the most sanitary way possible and approved by management. We are willing to offer extra cart space for an additional $25/month per artist. If there are more than 2 warnings about wax sanitation the privilege will be taken away. Artists are allowed to use 1 sink at a time. Lash services including lifts and tints and lash extensions are not permitted at The Network.

Cleaning up after themselves and keeping our space organized, clean and safe:

Artists are responsible for cleaning up after themselves including but not limited to:

• Sanitizing their stations completely before they leave work: sweeping entire station including underneath, wiping down entire chair and station, cleaning their mirror with windex and a clean paper towel
• Sanitizing every sink they use immediately after use
• Washing, drying and putting away ALL dishes (if you don't have time to clean right away, put the dirty dishes in your cabinet and clean later but under no circumstances are dishes to be left in the sink)
• Cleaning out their food from the fridge daily
• Cleaning up their messes in the break room
• Sanitizing any common areas they use including: stainless steel color bar tables, barrel work tables in the hallway, chairs, lamps, and trays in the processing area and all other common areas

Artists will be notified via text message from management if they leave their space in an unacceptable way.

Practicing kindness no matter what. We feel this is self explanatory.

Gossip is not acceptable in the Network. If you have a challenge with a member of the community please bring it to them directly within 24 hours of any incident or keep it to yourself. We urge Artists to report any gossip immediately so management can speak to the Artist directly.

Practicing mindfulness: All artists must have a comprehensive understanding of the fact that we work in a community setting. What you do affects those around you and we are all sharing a space together. Be mindful of the volume you speak at, the policies in place, our culture agreement, the space you take up and the effect you have on those around you.

Providing feedback and being honest about how you feel, especially if there is an issue within the salon that needs immediate attention. We only know what we see and what is communicated to us, so if you see policies being broken you are letting the entire community down by not reporting it right away so we can handle it within 24 hours. Artists who bottle up frustrations and wait until problems have gone on a long time are not helping the community.

1. Assumption of Risk:
   We just want to let you know that while we do everything we can to make sure you love your hair, there are some small risks involved with hair coloring. Things like allergies or not getting the exact shade you wanted are possible. We're here to help if anything comes up.
2. Our Promise to You:
   We stand behind our work. If there's anything you're not happy with within 14 days of your appointment, just reach out to us. We'll set up a free consultation and make any necessary adjustments.
3. Fixing Mistakes:
   If we goofed up, don't worry. We'll fix it for free within 14 days. However, if you change your mind or need extra sessions, there may be some fees involved. Color corrections can be a bit tricky, so they don't qualify for free adjustments.
4. Rescheduling and Cancellations:
   We don't require a credit card or deposit to hold your time slot. We'll do our part to confirm your appointment in advance. If anything comes up and you can't make it, we ask that you give us 24 hours' notice. If you no-show an appointment after confirming, we're sorry, but we won't be able to service you again. If you have to cancel last minute (less than 24 hours before your service), we understand mistakes happen. We'll make a note - if you have to cancel last minute again, we're sorry, but we'll only be able to book you again if you pay for your service in full with a non-refundable deposit. However, if you'd like to book in advance, we'll be happy to accommodate you for last-minute openings to book the same day if they're available.
5. Running Late:
   We know traffic jams and unexpected things can make you late. If you're running behind, let us know. We might need to adjust your appointment to keep things running smoothly for everyone.
6. Kids Welcome by Appointment Only:
   As much as we love little ones, our salon isn't the best place for them. It can get a bit hectic, so it's best to leave them at home if possible. Of course, they're more than welcome if they're getting a service too! Please note there is no special pricing for children - all haircuts and color services are the same price regardless of age.
7. Payment:
   Payment is due when you're all done with your service. We accept cash, card, and digital payments. Gratuities are always appreciated but never required and may be accepted in cash or Venmo.
8. Product Returns:
   We want you to love everything you take home from us. If you're not happy with a retail product, bring it back within 30 days. Unopened items can be refunded, and opened ones can be exchanged for something else.
9. Allergies:
   If you have any allergies or sensitivities, please let us know before we start. We want to make sure you're comfortable and safe during your time with us.
10. Hair Color Guarantee and Products:
    We stand by our hair color, but to keep your hair looking its best, we recommend using professional shampoo and conditioner from us. Guests who do not invest in recommended at home maintenance shampoo and conditioner do not qualify for any complimentary redo services if their hair color shifts after their visit.
11. Release of Liability:
    By signing below, you acknowledge that The Network Salon is not liable for any allergic reactions, failure to achieve desired goals, hair breakage, or chemical reactions. You agree to release The Network Salon from any responsibility for such issues.