Blog
Holiday Rush Pay: Getting Paid Fairly for the Busiest Weeks
The weeks before the winter holidays can be the best paying of the year, or the most exhausting. Settle the pay terms before the rush starts.
For many salons, the stretch before the winter holidays is the busiest of the year. Owners want their dogs looking good for visitors and photos, the book fills weeks ahead, and groomers are asked to take extra dogs and work longer days. On commission, that can mean some of your best paychecks of the year. It can also mean long hours for less than you expect if the terms are unclear. A short conversation now, before the rush, helps make sure the extra work pays.
Know how extra dogs are paid
If you are on commission, extra dogs should raise your pay directly. Still, confirm the details. Are add ons, dematting and handling fees counted the same way during the rush? Are you paid the same rate on overflow dogs from another groomer's book? If the salon runs holiday packages or specials, find out what price your commission is figured on. The guide on how grooming commission works covers why the base price matters.
Check how longer hours are paid
If you are paid hourly, or hourly plus commission, longer days and extra shifts may change how your hours are counted. Overtime rules vary by location, and how they apply to commission pay can be handled wrongly. The guide to hourly vs. commission pay explains the part of overtime that is often missed. Keep your own record of the hours you actually work, including early starts and late finishes.
Ask about holiday incentives
Some salons offer extra pay for working the rush, such as a per dog bonus above a set count or a payment for working every scheduled day. If yours does, get the terms in writing. If it does not, it is reasonable to ask, especially if you are being asked to take on more than usual. The post on reading the fine print on bonuses covers what to check.
Set a limit you can keep
More dogs means more pay only up to a point. Past that, quality slips, mistakes happen and you risk a redo or an unhappy owner at the busiest time of year. Decide in advance how many dogs a day you can groom well, and ask the front desk to book to that number rather than squeezing in extras. The post on booking your day for commission covers how the mix of dogs affects your day.
Tips often rise, so record them
Many clients tip more generously around the holidays. Make sure tips reach you in full and on time, and keep a note of what you receive. Tips are income, and the guide to tips and taxes for groomers covers how they are usually reported.
Plan for after the rush
Many salons see a slower stretch after the holidays. If your income jumps in late November and December, consider setting some aside to cover quieter weeks in January. Using the commission calculator with a normal week and a rush week side by side shows how much of the extra gross pay, before taxes, you might hold back.
Check your paychecks
Busy weeks are when payroll mistakes are most likely to slip by. Keep a log of every dog, service and tip during the rush, and compare it with your pay stubs as they arrive. If something is off, raise it while the details are fresh.
This is general information, not legal advice. Wage and overtime rules vary by location; check with your state labor agency or a qualified professional.