Professional Ethics
Domain focus
Professional Ethics tests judgement. It asks what a competent, honest hairdresser does when a client, a colleague or a social media opportunity creates pressure to cut corners.
Core rules
- Confidentiality: client identity, service history, health information and images stay private. No before-and-after posts without written consent.
- Informed consent: explain the service, risks, alternatives, cost and aftercare, and let the client decide without pressure.
- Stay within your competence. Refer colour correction, medical scalp conditions or chemical damage you cannot safely manage.
- Be honest about what is achievable; do not overpromise to win a booking.
- Non-discrimination: service quality and price do not change by ethnicity, gender, disability, age, religion or ability to pay.
- Maintain boundaries: no borrowing from the till, no personal relationships that compromise professional judgement, no gossiping about clients.
- Charge consistently, disclose charges before the service and never add items the client did not agree to.
- Keep records accurate; falsifying a record is misconduct.
Worked example
A client asks you to copy a complex colour correction from a video. Reasoning: assess honestly, explain that the result depends on her base and history, offer a realistic staged plan or refer to a colour specialist. Attempting it without the skill risks damage and breaches the duty of care.
Traps
Posting client photos without consent; gossiping at the desk; accepting a large gift that creates obligation; treating a client differently because of appearance.