Pulse November 2018 | Page 20

PULSE POINTS (CONTINUED FROM PAgE 16) ISPA 2018 U.S. Spa Industry Study: Hiring and Employee Retention Total employment is estimated to have grown ahead of the national trend, up by 1.9% to 372,100. On average, service providers need to work 30 or more hours per week to be considered a full-time employee. 1 in 3 respondents said they intend to create new jobs. Pay was mentioned by 5% of respondents when asked about the most important issue facing spas, typically in two respects. Some spas were concerned about rising wage costs; others felt that pay rates were not always sufficiently attractive to recruit and retain employees. of respondents cited a lack of qualified, experi- enced talent. Staffing and employee development also loom large in spas’ plans for 2018, with 54% saying they intend to introduce new employee training opportunities. 18 PULSE ■ November 2018