In trouble with my boss... weird situation, any advice appreciated.

[Ginismedicinal]

I'm a hairdresser with 30 years experience, I'm employed in a salon and FULLY booked up til the end of November, not even room for a cut and blow dry... but, my boss sat me down yesterday to say I'm not earning her enough money, she's having to 'carry me'!
I've been here 2 years and, strangely, they charge about £40 for a full head highlights, toners and cut and blow dry!! I've NEVER worked anywhere that charges less than £90+ for a service like this.
Obviously they can't be charging enough to cover wages/overheads etc, and suddenly, out of nowhere I've been taken asside for this chat that there's not enough money coming in.
I'm the only stylist here, I open up, I close etc, just me. How am I to earn them more money if I'm fully booked up months in advance? I don't even have ANY breaks etc.
Is there something I'm missing? I'm so confused by this sudden 'problem' where the solution is in the owners control, not mine... charge more for the services! 🤦🏻‍♀️

Update;
So I did quit. She's not taking it well and is currently, very rudely demanding I pay her my wage back.
Not sure where I stand on this, so going to seek advice. So far I'm told she actually owes me for unused holidays...??
It's getting messy...

Well done.
Don't pay, you owe her nothing.

She sounds a bit nuts tbh. I would suggest staying out of any messy conversations. Get a reckoning on how much she owes you in holiday pay and hopefully somebody on MN will be able to guide on the wording of a formal request for it. However if it gets really messy just walk away and best of luck in securing a great new job with nice people.

You’re being naive and incrediblly foolish. You need to poach her clients. Send legal letters confirming that you kept records of monies owed to you.

Thanks guys...
She's being very rude, and demanding 'come get your stuff asap, and pay me those wages at the same time' 🤦🏻‍♀️
According to citizens advice, she DOES owe me unused holiday pay!

I'm owed 10 days unused holiday.
How am I being naive and foolish? - genuine question? Have I missed something? It's been stressful and messy so I admit I might have?

I suggest for any future conversations have someone else present to witness. If her business is dodgy, just threatening with small claims court or some such could give the result you are after. How weird.

@timotimoteigirl - yes definitely will keep witnesses with me. She's acting shady as hell.

I assume your wages are paid for work already undertaken so don’t need repaying. Have you got a contract - if so you should be able to calculate how much you are owed.

I hope you still have the keys so you can pick up your stuff without her present? Bring a friend if not.

Why is she saying you owe her money? Have you been paid in advance?

There are many business owners who have no understanding (or pretend not to when suits) of business law, employment law and what to do in a time like this. They use fear as their motivator to get you to fall in line. Be strong.

Your lack of contract could be helpful and cause lots of problems. If there's no documentation to say she pays and owes holidays, I'd be very unsure of the process and be getting legal advice. I'm not sure citizens advice offer enough advice for this.

There's never been a contract - she literally just gave me the shop keys when I started, and left me practically running the place for the last (almost) 2 years... she works in a supermarket.
I considered collecting my stuff while she wasn't there, but she could perhaps claim I took stock etc while I was there? She's dodgy, so I'm not sure what she'd try.

She'll have no evidence. Does she even do stock takes, does she know what is there? Is there CCTV? You could ask a friend to film you picking up your stuff so you have evidence. She's not going to go to the police because she'll be in much bigger trouble with her dodgy dealings. Do you worry she'll send some dodgy people to your home address?

I wouldn't put it past her to send people round, but I have cameras. I know they don't offer 100% protection against things, but it's better than nothing.
Good point... she'd surely have to prove I took things (which of course I'd never do!). Think I'll go after she's gone then... take a witness to video me collecting my things etc. She's getting really nasty, so probably best we avoid each other.

Well done for quitting and realising your worth!

Do not pay your salary back. You’ve earnt that and any legal proceedings will back that up. They’ll just be wasting money.

You would be entitled to holiday that you have accued and not used; go to ACAs and seek advice.

@Ginismedicinal has she given you payslips, a P60 and so on?

@martmartinisforeveryone no and no... 🫤

So, she’s ‘employed you’ but no official records, no NHI deducted or contributed and no PAYE documentation. Hmmmmm, another problematic issue for her.
Ask Citizens Advice where you both stand on that.

@good96 I'm absolutely not paying her the wages back. I have just messaged her stating she actually, legally owes me holiday pay. I've been on citizens advice and ACA's and they both clearly state I'm owed it. I've worked really hard at her salon, practically ran it. Brought in loads of new clients, good reviews etc... I can't understand why she's being like this...

@marmartinisforeveryone as another mner has said - if she is running a dodgy business, she won't want anyone looking into anything 'officially'... I truly don't want a war with her, but if that's what she wants then so be it. I'll contact whoever I need to pursue things. Sad things have to be this way with some people... I always prefer to keep things amicable if possible, there's enough stress in life.

Contact Acas. Do you have wage slips,that would prove what you are normally paid.She is supposed to, by law provide terms and conditions and payslips.Do not do anything without advice. Even if you still have got a key try to go when she is there to get your stuff,take someone with you,that prevents her saying that you have taken stuff that you aren't entitled to. Do not actively poach her clients, they will find you if they want to.Legal advice may get you money owed but it might be how far you want to go. I hope that you have contacted other salons for a job. Good luck

@Ginismedicinal lets face it, I knew what your answer was going to be when I asked. Even though you know she’s not one to cross, by the same token if you’re accurately armed with this kind of information, she has equal reason to be wary of you too. Good luck.

If you didn't already have it downloaded the HMRC app and check she has been paying your tax and NI.

Ok, so her response to my request for my holiday pay is - I've 10 days remaining holiday, 'so let's call it even, we owe each other nothing'...
I'm just about to get the HMRC app and see what's what 🤞

Indeed.
Don't worry about the lack of paper contract, payslips, or method of payment (I presume cash, not to your bank account with a description of 'wages'?). I suspect you'll have evidence in the form of texts from her where she talks about you being an employee, having wages etc. Do consider reporting her to HMRC.

On the upside, you're learning what a proper employer is supposed to do, and you'll know what to avoid for next time :)