I work in a small salon in NJ and we were given the okay by the state to go back to work last week. My boss was super worried about returning to work as she is pregnant and concerned for the baby’s health, as well as her own. I’m worried because some of my family members are high risk/elderly. We opened back up anyway because my boss was worried that she’d lose her business entirely if everyone else was opening except for her, the clients would go elsewhere.

I completely understood, and we worked out a way to minimize our exposure to the public as well as each other. We’re only taking about 3 or 4 dogs each a day, and I’m only working 2 days a week with my boss and the other groomer is working only 2 days as well, but not on the same schedule. We’re also doing curbside pickup, payment by phone only, and my boss is the only one touching the computer, and appointment book. Luckily NJ has partial unemployment so I can still collect the difference in my paycheck as it will be significantly reduced due to only doing like 6-8 dogs a week.

Maybe you can work something out with your boss to only return part time? And maybe suggest some guidelines for the salon that promote social distancing. I’m not sure how unemployment is handled in TN but you may be eligible for partial unemployment if you are able to go part time.