Safety in the Workplace

Our employees are very important to us.

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Not only do you deliver the actual product that we sell, we value you as the kind of human that would choose a job where you help people, and you desire to participate in the lives of our members as one who contributes to their wellbeing. Beyond that, here at Stretch Zone Utah, we maintain a culture of humans that care about the happiness and safety of other humans. 

 

YOU SHOULD ALWAYS FEEL SAFE AND COMFORTABLE AT YOUR WORKPLACE.  It is important for you to know that management and leadership will NOT tolerate situations that place our employees in danger, or present any kind of interpersonal discomfort associated with coming to work.

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IF you ever find yourself in an uncomfortable situations:​

• Your safety is our top priority!  If ever you feel your safety is compromised, exit the studio and get to safety or call 911. 

• Immediately bring ANY kind of uncomfortable situation to the attention of your studio lead or regional manager.  You can report it through the "Tell Your Regional Manager" form at the bottom of this web page, or call, text or send a Slack message.  For your safety and that of others, we need to be aware if something doesn't feel right.  Report what has happened, even if you don't think it's a big deal, even if you don't realize it until after thinking about it for a bit.  If it bothers you, we want to be aware of the issue so we can help handle it.

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To help prevent uncomfortable situations for taking place, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Be the professional.  Be pleasant and helpful, and yet it's fine to be clinical and reserved, especially if it feels like an interaction may be becoming more friendly than you would like.  Bring out your inner "librarian".

• ​Do not share personal details about yourself or where you live, and do not give out your personal phone number or other personal information.  The only reason members or prospects would need to interact with you is to manage an account issue or schedule an appointment, which anyone in studio can help them with, or can be done through their app.

• Keep conversations in studio centered on the member; It's great to get to know members and ask about their life to build rapport, but if the conversation takes an uncomfortable turn, change the subject by bringing the topic back to the 3/5/7 intensity scale, or talking about the anatomy of which muscles are being worked on and how that can help them function better.  Stay away from controversial topics like politics, religion, or sports teams.

• Keep conversations clean, professional and on the right path.  Do not make jokes or comments that could be interpreted as suggestive or flirtatious about the strapping systems or the body positioning of the stretches.  Maintain professionalism at all times.  If the person makes a joke or comment that might be considered inappropriate, ignore it and move on, redirect the conversation, or say something like "let's stay focused on your stretch - where are you feeling this is doing the most good for your range of motion?"...  If it continues, see below.

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Talking Points:

Practitioners work in close physical proximity with members, and sales associates receive sometimes deeply personal information from clients in studio.  If ever there is perceived unwanted attention, it is helpful for the employee to send a clear message that they are not interested in personal interactions outside of the studio if they are comfortable doing so. 

 

Employees should never feel pressure share things about their personal life, go anywhere with a member, meet outside the studio, or perform a stretch that is not part of the Stretch Zone Method.  Here are just a few ways to communicate that an interaction should change course.

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• If someone asks for you phone number or personal social media you can say "I don't give those out" or "I don't date clients".  You can even site our policy "I'm not allowed to give out any personal information."

• If someone asks for a hug and it doesn't feel right, you can place your hands up between you as a polite barrier and say "oh, I'm not a hugger".

• Do not accept a tip that makes you feel uncomfortable or that implies that anything else is expected.

• You can bring attention to the fact that there are cameras all throughout the studio for everyone's safety.

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If called for (if there is an inappropriate interaction, or a client does not keep their hands to themselves), a stretch session can be concluded early by the practitioner... "that will be all for today".  Know that management will stand behind our employees, and there is a zero tolerance policy for harrassment.  

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In this situation, report immediately to your studio lead or regional manager and either of us can leave detailed notes.  Management will handle the details of the member and the account. 

 

Solutions could include things like that practitioner not working with that member again, having the member only work with people of a specific gender, or be stretched at a time when multiple people are in the studio, or in extreme cases our business can choose to no longer serve that member.  Know that we've got your back!​

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• Keep an eye on each other 

• When opening or closing the studio alone, be aware of your surroundings. 

• When possible, especially after dark, see that your closing co-workers get safely to their cars.  Or you can make a phone call so someone is aware of where you are as you lock up.  

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NOTE: This post is centered on the wellbeing of our employees, however it must be said that our members and guests also have the right to and expect a harrassment-free experience in our studios.  It is not appropriate or permissable for studio staff to contact Stretch Zone members or guests for personal matters, through the company communication tools and/or especially not from a personal phone.  Just don't do it.

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It's great to be in the business of health and wellness!  We are glad you are on our team and we are committed to your safety!

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~the Stretch Zone Utah leadership team