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So My Degree Means Nothing???
Let me first say, that if I mumble and ramble in this blog, excuse me. I am pretty upset about this and would like some feed back.
Now I work for a company where everything was all rosy in the beginning; offering better opportunities than the competition, which seemed to plan out at first. But as time has passed by, and this location has not been open for a year yet, the cons are beginning to show up. Anyone every working at companies like this always run into a problem with the front desk people and "corporate" because of their lack of knowledge about massage and their concern more about money than the therapist. But now, the place I work is offering CEU courses for the modalities that they offer, but the problem arises when not only is the course a lame deep tissue deal, but they are making it mandatory to take.
I just graduated in August from a fourteen plus month program in massage with an Associates degree were deep tissue was covered greatly. Pllus, I have 48 CEUs, so I have 4 years before I would need more. My whole complaint is that they want us to take this course and follow their routine. I would never get as many repeat request as I have dong this routine, or any other for that matter, so I am conflicted. I'm not the only one that feels this way, and other therapist have opt not to do it because we have to do 6 massages outside work, and one on a manager. It wouldn't be too bad if we had the option to do it, but we don't, and we are on a less than thirty day time limit to do it. Ok, so now I am rambling. What's your opinion my community?
Now I work for a company where everything was all rosy in the beginning; offering better opportunities than the competition, which seemed to plan out at first. But as time has passed by, and this location has not been open for a year yet, the cons are beginning to show up. Anyone every working at companies like this always run into a problem with the front desk people and "corporate" because of their lack of knowledge about massage and their concern more about money than the therapist. But now, the place I work is offering CEU courses for the modalities that they offer, but the problem arises when not only is the course a lame deep tissue deal, but they are making it mandatory to take.
I just graduated in August from a fourteen plus month program in massage with an Associates degree were deep tissue was covered greatly. Pllus, I have 48 CEUs, so I have 4 years before I would need more. My whole complaint is that they want us to take this course and follow their routine. I would never get as many repeat request as I have dong this routine, or any other for that matter, so I am conflicted. I'm not the only one that feels this way, and other therapist have opt not to do it because we have to do 6 massages outside work, and one on a manager. It wouldn't be too bad if we had the option to do it, but we don't, and we are on a less than thirty day time limit to do it. Ok, so now I am rambling. What's your opinion my community?
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Comment
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Comment by JB Harding, III LMT A.A.S. on February 22, 2010 at 12:17am
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Hello everyone that commented. Yes, they basically treat us like employees. I have come to accept that it is just a step and as long as they dont start taking money out my pocket, then I am not going to fuss too much. They say that they want our advise ,but oh well. It could be worse. I been hearing some horror stories.
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Comment by Vivian Madison Mahoney on February 12, 2010 at 8:06pm
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Just another note. I had all LMT's who applied for work with me to give either myself or an employee a massage in order to see (feel) the type of massage they gave. Because I knew basically what my clients/patients were looking for in a massage. If they needed a little tweaking in their procedures I or other qualified therapists helped.
The new therapists' seemed to appreciate this because they were always willing to learn new things. Every client, every massage, every class, teaches new things and you NEVER know what little new thing learned can be a part of your "bag of healing or improving tricks" for some client in the future.
Of course any training or help they received was not charged for, nor was a therapist who worked for me ever required to provide unpaid massages. Not for those I personally received, not promotionals and not those I wasn't paid for. They were paid for EVERY massage they provided.
I just read some of the responses here and each seems to hold a lot of value JB. Most of all now and always you have to follow your instincts. If unhappy, talk to management and try to iron out the situation. If it does not work, there is a big ole wide world out there with a whole lot of bodies needing quality massages.
Good luck for your future now and always
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One question JB? Are you working as an independent contractor or employee? If as an independent contractor, do you and the hiring firm have an independent contractor agreement?
If not as an employee, they are treating you as such it appears to me. As an independent contractor, they cannot make you do what they ask as you explain. However, if you do not, they may say they don't need you.
And if that's the case, maybe that is good news before things get worse.
This is all based on not knowing all the details. I get calls and emails such as this from LMT's across the nation. We all need to stand up for our rights because more and more it seems others are "using" us for their financial benefit and not ultimately for the patient's improvement.
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Thank you everyone for your comments. I spoke with the staff and it was explained to me in a better way than before. It is still required, but not as bad as previously told.
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Comment by Ann Ross on February 8, 2010 at 2:08pm
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Hi JB,
I can empathize with what you are saying. It seems to me that the underlying issue going on here is that this company that you work for has all of the control and power over any decisions you would like to make. I have been in your exact position. This is when I realized that self employment was the better option for me. My advice for you is to take your frustrations and use that energy to gain the control back and possibly look into creating your own business. You will be able to provide the type of massage that you want to, when you want to, including CEU's. I don't want to put too much energy into bashing your current employer or necessarily saying what they are doing wrong. I think it's important to take these moments of frustration as opportunities to look at ourselves and find what makes us happy. I promise that you will be much happier if you listen to what your heart is telling you.
Best,
Ann Ross
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Comment by Julie Onofrio on February 6, 2010 at 9:45pm
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Yes it is hard when employers don't see you for what your training is and lump you in with everyone else. Maybe they don't know the difference in your training. Have you explained it to them? They probably also want everyone to be doing the same thing so clients get the same treatment from everyone to create a signature service or something like that.
I don't think you can ever have enough deep tissue classes. There is always something new to learn and even if it seems like repeat material, you can learn from working on people.
If you really do feel skilled in deep tissue I would approach the management and tell them you will give them a massage to see if you can get out of it or you can choose to go and tell them you already know deep tissue but would love to help others be more proficient at it and tell them you want to be a team lead or something to work with others....make lemonade...
Julie
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Comment by Darcy Neibaur on February 5, 2010 at 9:36pm
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JB The owner of the Massage Envy where I work paid for mine and several others to take this Hot Stones course.
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Comment by Monica Reno, LMT, NCTMB on February 5, 2010 at 6:06pm
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JB-my assumption is that you are an employee of this company. If that is the case you should gladly accept the opportunity to learn another perspective of deep tissue massage. I hope they are not charging you for the course? I am glad to hear that you feel as if your school prepared you well for the work place, but remember this career is a continuous learning experience. With any luck, it never ends...and that's the good news. Just so you understand where I am coming from, I have been practicing massage for over 25 years. The last time someone showed me something new I could use was about 7 months ago. One more thing, if you are working in a facility that has a menu. It is critical that the protocol is the same. If I as a consumer, buy a treatment and am happy, and next week return and buy the same thing but get a different therapist, it better be a very similar experience. This is one of the key purposes for protocol driven trainings. Last, let me say this as gently as I can. You graduated in August, it is February, the many facets of operating a business whose main product is massage is so much more complex then you think. The expenses, I can guarantee you are much more then you could guess. Your best shot at success in the long haul is remain calm, love your work, help your co-workers understand your needs (even the front desk people) show respect for the people who have made the monetary investment, and do the best deep tissue routine they have ever seen. This is my opinion. Thanks for asking.
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Also JB, when I did the Hot Stones Course for Massage Envy I was able to complete it in 2 1/2 hours one Saturday afternoon. It really is quite easy and simple. You might be pleasently surprised as to the benefit Hots Stones will be for you as a therapist. Stay open minded and you will go far. Close the mind and you are done. Also, Massage Envy has Lead Therapist positions. Sounds like you might make a good one. Let it begin with you!
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JB, We also had to do the last Hot Stones practical on the manager or the owner one time too in the end. It is all about being ready to meet the public. Now at the Massage Envy that I work at, I am that person that the last Hot Stones Practical has to be done on. I am now over the Hot Stones CEU course for the Center i work at. I like the benefit. Nothing wrong with doing Practicals to be certified. You will find it is a must with any new modality you learn in this profession.
I hope your Degreee means the world to you. I have a Bachlor's degree and it means the world to me.
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