Finding, recruiting and retaining spa people it is not a walk in the park!

Today I had the pleasure to talk with a potential Collaborator and she sincerely confessed that it has become increasingly more difficult to finding, recruiting, and retaining qualified spa employees, especially spa therapists, which truthfully, I could not have agreed more.

 Working for so many years in this industry I have witnessed this struggle and felt it on my own skin when I had to hire my team in different properties (various countries). In my humble opinion it is more than a major challenge in the wellness industry, its closer to a general crisis. The topic is very deep with numerous layers of intricacies, methods of tackling and actions, having said that, we cannot just not do anything about it hoping that it can be resolved by itself. Also, it is crystal-clear that there is not only miraculous solution to find the right candidates and to retain them, it is a cumulative effort that the Owners, Superior Management, HR Specialists, Director of Spas have to explore, navigate and put it in practice.  

Here are best short & long term strategies that I came across in the last decades to address each stage of the employee journey: 

1. FINDING SPA EMPLOYEES

a. Partner with Spa Schools and Training Centers Build relationships with massage therapy, cosmetology, and spa academies. Offer internships, apprenticeships, or speak at their events. Invite them for a visit in your hotel/ spa and serve them the advantages of working with you. 

b. Leverage Online Platforms Use niche job boards (e.g., WellnessJobs). Post on LinkedIn, Facebook Groups (focused on wellness), and Instagram using location-specific hashtags.

 c. Attend Industry Events Attend spa, beauty, and wellness fairs, expos, and networking events to meet professionals directly. d. Use Employee Referral Programs Offer rewards for employees who refer qualified candidates. 

2. RECRUITING & HIRING SPA EMPLOYEES 

a. Highlight Unique Benefits Promote flexible hours, training opportunities, wellness benefits, or commission-based incentives. Emphasize your spa’s values and working environment. 

b. Streamline the Recruitment Process Make the application process quick and mobile-friendly. Be responsive and communicate clearly during the interview stages. 

c. Prioritize Culture Fit During interviews, assess soft skills (e.g., empathy, communication) as well as technical skills. 

d. Offer Trial Days or ‘’Auditions’’ Give candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a real setting. 

3. RETAINING SPA EMPLOYEES 

a. Invest in Training & Development Provide continuous education and certification (e.g., advanced massage techniques, wellness coaching). Offer opportunities of cross-trainings in other departments. Create growth paths (e.g., therapist to trainer or spa manager). 

b. Build a Positive Work Culture.- guided by a empathetic and knowledgeable leader Recognize achievements regularly (e.g., employee of the month, shinning star). Encourage teamwork and open communication.

c. Offer Competitive Compensation Regularly review salaries and benefits to stay market-relevant. Consider performance-based bonuses and wellness perks. Do not neglect the non-financial offers: vouchers with value. Offer them a discount in the Retail products, or treatments. 

d. Conduct Regular Feedback Sessions Use 1-on-1 meetings to check on employee satisfaction and career goals. Make sure you use Anonymous Surveys to take their open comments if the team is not comfortable to share openly. Act on feedback to show employees their voices matter. 

e. Ensure Work-Life Balance Avoid overbooking therapists/ offer diverse treatments and respect break times. -try not to book more than 4 massages in a raw. Offer mental health support or wellness services to staff.

 f. Have a solid wellbeing plan implemented in your hotel Starting from healthy food, complimentary yoga session for employees, activities in nature etc

In conclusion: by addressing both practical and emotional needs of the spa people, spas can build a loyal, motivated and high performing team that delivers exceptional guest experiences and supports long-term business success.

Good luck everyone!

Larisa Marinica 

Spa & Wellness Consultant