Nail Salon Workers

By Alfred Barrion

Hello! Welcome to the Nail Salon Workers module. Now that you have learned about the biology surrounding EDCS, we are will not be discussing the societal factors that come into play with your exposure to EDCs at work. Nail salon workers like yourself have rich histories of migration and activism, which are important to know when talking about EDCs to your employers. In addition to EDC exposure at work, you might be facing issues such as wage theft and labor violations. This module will allow you to learn more about the history of nail salon workers, as well as your rights and responsibilities as a worker.

A New Beginning

In California, over 80% of manicurists identify themselves as Vietnamese (1). The formation of an ethnic niche of Vietnamese manicurists occurred as a result of migration after the Vietnam War and help from a famous Hollywood star. Actress Tippi Hedren, known for her role in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds (1963), is often credited for the formation of Vietnamese-owned nail salons after a 1975 visit to Camp Hope, a Vietnamese refugee camp. Hedren’s own manicurist came to Camp Hope to teach twenty Vietnamese refugee women about the art of nails, and an industry began to boom (2). These women began to spread the word about the opportunities that nail salons can bring to their friends and family, and led to an industry dominated by Vietnamese manicurists.

Nail Salon Workers Today

While the nail salon industry is dominated by Vietnamese manicurists, Chinese, Korean, Nepali, Tibetan, and Latinx workers also share a large part of the industry, where 86% of nail salon workers are workers of color and 81% women (3). Many foreign-born workers are also present in the nail salon industry, with almost half of foreign-born workers having limited English proficiency (3). The various identities that workers like you identify as is important to understand when advocating for your rights as a worker. Intersectionality is a framework created by Black feminist scholar, Kimberlé Crenshaw, where multiple facets of your identity (race/ethnicity, gender, legal status, sexual orientation, etc) combine and overlap and can be used to understand why certain communities face higher EDC exposures than others (4). By using a lens of intersectionality, you can better understand your rights and responsibilities as a worker at a nail salon.

The Toxic Trio at Work

Be sure to read the ingredients label of your polishes, solvents, and toners carefully, because you never know what you might find!

Hover over the products below to see where you can find the toxic trio when you're at work. You might use some of these products everyday, so knowing what's in them is really important to stay safe at work.

Nail Polish

You can find the entire toxic trio (DBP, toluene, and formaldehyde) in some nail polishes (5). Be sure to look for nail polishes that do not contain these ingredients.

Formaldehyde is used in nail hardener since it binds to the keratin in the nails and makes the nails harder.

Nail Hardener

Nail glue can contain DBP, and is used to adhere acrylics or other accessories to the nail (6).

Nail Glue

Nail glue can contain DBP, and is used to adhere acrylics or other accessories to the nail (6).

Common Workplace Issues

In the workplace, it's common to feel alone about issues you might have with you employer or working conditions. If you face any of these problems commonly faced by nail salon workers, you can reach out to your employer or the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to resolve these issues. Being aware of your rights as a worker is essential when bringing up the topic of EDCs to your coworkers and employer. By knowing these common issues faced by workers, you can create a safer and healthier environment for you, your coworkers, and clients.

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Wage

Theft

Your employer must pay you your state's minimum wage at the least. Over 61% of Vietnamese nail salon workers were paid below minimum wage and 89% did not get overtime pay (3). If you work over 40 hours a week, you are entitled to overtime pay by your employer.

Labor Misclassification

Sometimes, employers will classify you as an independent contractor instead of an employee to avoid giving you benefits such as healthcare and overtime pay (7). Please check our graphic in the next section to determine your employee status.

Health

Hazards

EDCs are a huge health issue in salons, and a lack of personal protective equipment (masks, gloves, etc.) can make you susceptible to negative health effects (8). Access to proper ventilation should also be provided to avoid breathing in airborne particles from salon services (9).

Identifying Your Employee Status

Identifying key issues in your workplace is important when advocating for your rights as a worker. An estimated 30% of workers in Los Angeles are paid under minimum wage, and nail salon owners often use tactics such as classifying you as an independent contractor in order to pay you less (7). Check out our infographic below, adapted from the U.S. Department of Labor nail salon workers flyers to see if you are classified as an independent contractor or employee. This infographic is translated to the following languages: English, Vietnamese, Korean, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese.

CHN IND

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Labor Unions and Worker Centers

Labor unions and worker centers are a great way to organize your workplace and advocate for a workplace that gives you proper wages and safer working conditions. Depending on your current status as a worker (employee or independent contractor) you can join a labor union or workers' center to better advocate for fair wages, a safer workplace, paid overtime and greater benefits as a worker.

What is a labor union? (10,11)

A labor union can be a group of as little as two or more employees in a similar line of work who desire to protect and further their rights as workers. Unions participate in collective bargaining, a contract voted for by union members in collaboration with union members and employers.

What can a labor union do for me? (10)

A labor union can help you resolve workplace issues such as:

Unsafe work conditions such as EDCs
Wage theft
Lack of overtime pay
Unpaid sick leave
Limited health insurance

Who can join a labor union? (10)

Non-managerial manicurists at a nail salon, as long as they are not labeled as an independent contractor
Immigrant workers (see more about immigrant workers here)

How can I start a union? (11)

Check out the graphic to the right by the U.S. National Labor Relations Board to learn about starting a union in your workplace

What is a worker center? (12)

A worker center is a community-based organization that gives low-wage workers a space to advocate for and prevent workplace exploitation. Using an intersectional lens, worker centers go beyond the union framework by also engaging in practices to promote racial equity and economic justice.

Who can join a worker center? (12)

The following groups can join a worker center:

Independent contractors
Non-union workers
Anyone interested in the labor movement

What are the differences between worker centers and labor unions? (10,12)

Worker centers allow membership to those traditionally excluded from unions such as independent contractors. As many nail salon workers are misclassified as independent contractors, a worker center will give you the power to advocate for you and your coworkers. Please not that worker centers do not participate in collective bargaining, as that is exclusive to unions.

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