Who I Am
I'm Andrew Clelland. I've owned salons. I've run a wholesaler supplying salons. I've worked in this industry from multiple angles, and now I analyse it independently.
This research is not funded by any trade body, membership organisation, government department or commercial sponsor. That leaves me free to report what the data shows, including where it contradicts a narrative I might have expected to support.
Declaration of interest: I develop SalonLogic Pro, a software platform for salons. The data archive and analysis are free to read and are not funded by it, but you should know I have a commercial interest in the sector, and I have set out my sources so that every figure can be checked without relying on me.
The Research
I have spent a long time researching employment status in the UK hair and beauty sector. I am not aware of any other independent analysis that has reviewed as many tribunal cases in this sector. If you know of one, please send it to me.
Over 500 Employment Tribunal Cases Reviewed
I haven't just read summaries or press releases. I've systematically reviewed over 500 employment tribunal cases in the hair and beauty sector, examining:
- Full judgments where available
- Claim types and outcomes
- Legal reasoning and precedents cited
- Patterns in what actually gets disputed
Of the 363 cases logged in my tracker, 28 (7.7%) are flagged as employment status disputes. Tribunal cases are not a complete measure of how people work, because most disputes never reach a tribunal. They are, however, a verifiable public record, and they do not show status disputes at the scale that has been claimed.
The large majority of cases involve unfair dismissal, discrimination and unpaid wages.
The Challenge I Issue
If you think a figure here is wrong, tell me. Send the source and I will check it, and if I am wrong I will correct it publicly and record the change in the Corrections Log.
This applies equally to trade bodies, researchers, government and my own earlier work.
What I Believe
All Trading Models Are Valid
There's salon owners who have never worked in a salon but employ staff to run theirs. There's salon owners who work everyday in their salon with employees. There's licensors who rent space only and some who are both licensors and salon operators. There's mobile services and home based services and some who do both.
All have the right to earn a living.
It's painful to see parts of the industry turn upon and decry other parts to the point that discontent affects vision and rational thinking towards folks who do things differently.
My Position on Employment Models
I have thoughts and opinions on employed/self-employed/home salon setups, but they will never overshadow the right of everyone to earn a living.
People say "do you not agree there should be a levelling of the fiscal burden?" Yes, I do. But just like Amazon, these folks are playing with the hand dealt. Our beef should be with the dealer, not the player.
Accuracy, From All Sides
In 2021 I warned about the dangers of repeating unchecked figures about self-employment. I said such narratives could become self-fulfilling, prompting salons to close or shift their entire model simply because they feel they have no other option.
Figures of that kind are still repeated as fact. I think the answer is to publish sources so readers can check them for themselves.
I am not arguing for self-employed practitioners over employers. I want figures on every side to be accurate and sourced.
Why SalonLogic Pro
Salon Logic was born to allow everyone a voice and for them to find facts and support. We continue to do our factual best for everyone, no matter how they trade.
All are welcome here.
The platform includes:
- Pricing Calculator: Evidence-based tools for sustainable salon pricing
- Management System: Complete business management for salons of all types
- Document Generation: Professional business documentation tools
- Independent Analysis: Research and data, published free with sources
The Methodology
Every analysis I publish follows the same principles:
1. Evidence-Based
Claims backed by official documents, statute law, tribunal judgments, FOI responses, government data, or publicly verifiable sources. Changes to published figures are recorded in the Corrections Log.
2. Transparent Methodology
All sources documented. All data available for verification. All calculations shown. Challenge my methodology in writing and I'll respond in writing.
3. Independent
No trade body or sponsor funds this work. My own commercial interest (SalonLogic Pro) is declared above.
4. Intellectually Honest
If the data contradicts my position, I change my position, and I record the change.
Contact
For analysis questions, corrections, or challenges to my research:
Email: andrew@salonlogic.co.uk
For SalonLogic Pro platform questions:
Email: contact@salonlogicpro.co.uk
If you are an MP, journalist or policymaker looking for sourced data on this sector, I am glad to talk and to share the underlying files.