Job offer (IC, Chiropractor, Rub Club)

[yakevinhoo63]

So I want to see everyones opinion on this offer / position that I am stepping into (although not accepted yet, still need to do a practical portion of the interview):

There is a local chiropractor that recently also rented the space next to them and opened a massage clinic. They're doing a rub club (of course... ugh.) and the therapists are all IC's.

Rent for the space is $100/mo, they provide all linens, booking, billing and the room is available at any time. I am able to set my own hours (as little or as many as I want) and still able to come use a room if I have a client that wants to see me (even outside of my "available hours" basically) as they have enough rooms to have 1 for each therapist (at least for now -- 4 rooms, 4 therapists).

They are offering an initial $19 massage to get people in the door, which is awful. The MT gets $10 of that, and if the client signs up for the club, they get another $21.

From that point, every massage you do, you get paid depending on how many you do that pay period. Up to 20, it is $20/hr, 21-30 is $24/hr and 30-40 is $30/hr.

Any thoughts or opinions before I take the job?

 

[xXBlackRoseXx]

Job offer (IC, Chiropractor, Rub Club)

For one, the IRS will look at that situation, say, "Those are employees, not ICs" and fine the hell out of the owners. It may even be shut down, or at least forced to change the way it is set up to a legal business model.

You might want to give the owners a copy of the IRS definitions of Independent Contractors vs Employees, but I'd be cautious about working there. Concepts so poorly mapped out are not likely to be run well.

 

[valir553]

Job offer (IC, Chiropractor, Rub Club)

I must be confused on something on my side then -- why are you saying this is an employee situation not IC?

 

[sweetsinger]

Job offer (IC, Chiropractor, Rub Club)

I guess they are thinking that since they are charging RENT (on top of taking commission - holy rubadubdub, batman!) that you are a "renter" not an employee.
Of course setting your rates would be what an employer would do (controlling how you conduct your business).

The way I see it they are screwing you with the rent thing - the pay structure for actual massages would be in-line, although on the low end - of what IC's get paid. I don't know too many people though that are booking more than 20 massages a week right now. I was maybe doing that many when the economy was better.
They have NO investment in the business by sub-letting space to massage therapists, PLUS everything that you make, or business that YOU bring in is gravy to them. They really have no incentive to do much in the way of marketing because for them, they can't lose. They make money no matter what. In the meantime you work your butt off trying to make it to that next level of commission, just hoping every week that somehow you will "make it".

Is there a limit on how many $19 massages you HAVE to do. Or a time limit on how long they want to run the "special"?
Making $10/hr isn't so hot and a $19 rate will bring all the cheapo's out (ie - no tips). You might get a few that sign up for the "club".
Seems like they are going after the Massage Envy crowd and trying to undercut them but using the same business model. And I think that ME has already snapped up all that they can - the members are starting to cancel their "memberships".

So - bottom line - this is a job so if you do not have one right now, it might be better than nothing. If you are a newer therapist, this is an opportunity to get some practice and improve your skills, and hopefully to interact with other therapists.

If they seem intent on that $100 rent, maybe you can get them to "waive" it for the period of the special - or make it so that you do not have to pay unless you make a minimum amount. And ask for a couple more bucks per massage too - you have nothing to lose.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Job offer (IC, Chiropractor, Rub Club)

Sorry, I left out that "i am a brand new therapist" part of the equation! Yes, I haven't had any other jobs in the field. I graduated in February, took my test in March, waited forever and a day for the state, and got my license in May/June (don't remember the exact date).

I currently have (and have had the entire time, including while going to school) a full time "regular job" that prevents me from doing much massage outside of it, and I just got to the point there (read: pissed at bosses and coworkers ) that I need to move on and get to fowarding my massage career rather than sitting there being treated like crap day to day.

I got a call back yesterday from another chiro in the area and it seems that they must have both been "trained" on this business model by the same person (his words) as he has the exact same set up. $19 massages for first time clients only plus the rub club. I was very excited to hear back from him and have a second option, potentially, and then very saddened to hear him say he was operating the exact same business model.

For what its worth, ME has a location south where I am but, I'd say that it is "out of the way" though for most, especially for those who live in this area. They don't like to go far or "to town" basically. There is another massage biz in the mall north of us, but again... that is going to the mall (ugh!) and i think most don't want to do that unless absolutely required

I don't think they seem to have issues with getting people in the door and signing up for the club, it sounds to me like they need more therapists as they're turning people away actually.

I'll try to see if they'll defer the rent at least until November and give me an opportunity to see if it is something I want to stick around for or not. They were already going to defer until October, since Sept is half over... but we'll see.

While I mentioned they do the booking, billing, etc - I think I left out that I am able to set my own hours and availability. They simply have an online booking application that we are able to use (and the chiro asst helps with accepting the reservation requests and such) -- not that they're booking people at times and saying "ok, come in." all on their own accord.

 

[Finnegan Vegan Again]

Job offer (IC, Chiropractor, Rub Club)

If you are paying rent, then the whole Employee/IC thing is out the window. You are a renter, and whatever they put into a lease agreement is a contractual issue. They could even state the hours they are renting the room to you.

I would pass just based on the price point alone. NO way to gauge how many full priced customers will result, and chances are $19 to a full price is a hefty jump which will scare off 90% of the initial clientele

 

[How dry a yam]

Job offer (IC, Chiropractor, Rub Club)

If you are paying rent, then the whole Employee/IC thing is out the window. You are a renter, and whatever they put into a lease agreement is a contractual issue. They could even state the hours they are renting the room to you.

I would pass just based on the price point alone. NO way to gauge how many full priced customers will result, and chances are $19 to a full price is a hefty jump which will scare off 90% of the initial clientele

I agree with this 100%.

If you're able to set your own hours and provide massage pretty much the way you want without being told how to do it, then you're not an employee.

I did the same thing as an MT - worked out of a facility for $25/hr per massage (but didn't get paid when I wasn't doing massage). I wasn't expected to do anything other than massage on my downtime (didn't have to answer the phone or do any filing)--although I did anyway just to help out. I got to wear kinda what I wanted, massage how I wanted, and set my own hours. They set the pricing, they booked the appointments, and they provided most of the supplies.

Now that I contract a massage therapist myself, we simply ask for her schedule and pay her when she does a massage. We provide pretty much EVERYTHING. She sets her hours and does the massage how she wants. She wears scrubs, something we mutually agreed upon - they're comfy for her and they're congruent with our clinic's image. She doesn't have to do anything but massage, although she often stocks water in the fridge or straightens stuff up around the office on her own. Of course, hehe it helps to have great morale! Although we only pay per massage, we do pay well. The arrangement works out great for all of us.

I, too, think that $10/hr pay is low - heck, I've never heard anything that low, not even back when I was wet behind the ears - and cost of living has risen considerably since then. I think I'd pass, too. As strained as the job market is, $10/hr seems somewhat predatory; people are often desperate, after all. Of course, it's up to each person to choose, but I would not choose a situation like that. Seriously, you're worth more than that, new or not

 

[Kala]

Job offer (IC, Chiropractor, Rub Club)

I, too, think that $10/hr pay is low - heck, I've never heard anything that low, not even back when I was wet behind the ears - and cost of living has risen considerably since then. I think I'd pass, too. As strained as the job market is, $10/hr seems somewhat predatory; people are often desperate, after all. Of course, it's up to each person to choose, but I would not choose a situation like that. Seriously, you're worth more than that, new or not

I agree with that!

But I wouldn't just pass on it.
Potential employees (or whatever this is) can negotiate a better rate.
You don't just have to take what they offer!

 

[Coolyash]

Job offer (IC, Chiropractor, Rub Club)

"The Rub Club" is a chiropractor-designed profit-maximizing "practice-building" scheme. It assumes that massage is just a feel-good upsell that will keep people coming back to spend more money, and the compensation plan reflects this. Good for the chiropractor, not so good for the MTs.

 

[convana]

Job offer (IC, Chiropractor, Rub Club)

Here's an old thread we had about the "Rub Club". It may be of interest to you:

• Article from The Chiropractic Journal