Massage Envy experiences...

until you've been in the shoes of a rape victim do not judge. You have no idea what they went through and they have every right as a human to refuse characteristics of an individual that would remind them of a horrible incident. If that makes them racist in your eyes I'm sure they wouldn't give a rat's behind. They've been through physical trauma; don't think they'd care about your judgments. God will judge them and you as well for being so insensitive. The racist card needs to be put to rest already. We're all humans and NO ONE is perfect.

DadMike in Maryland said: Sorry-- if you choose strictly based on race, you're a racist.
That's the definition of a racist-- judging folks by their ethnicity, not their individual qualities. "I don't want no black folks touching me"....that's pretty blatant.
If you believe you have a right to be a racist under private enterprise, well, you do, really-- no law can stop you from shopping around until you find a store with the "correct" staff for you. Even if you were raped by a black person- so now EVERY black person is a rapist? That means you need mental health assistance immediately, becaue you can't go through life productively assuming everyone of a particular ethnicity will rape you.
But it's still racist. Whether you want to admit it or not. And I'm happy that branch of ME refused a racial-based request. Just as a customer can choose a racist company, a business can refuse bigoted narrow-minded customers. Most folks ARE opened minded, and the bigots can go fester away from the rest of us.
If I ever found out the ME I went to honored a race-based request, I'd drop out immediately.

You better drop out.........I found one that did honor my request and I will use them again.......and NO it's not a racist request and yes,more blacks commit crimes in this country even though they are the smallest %

If you judge anyone strictly by race, you're a racist.
That's not the "race card", it's a fact.
The "race card" is blaming everything on race- I can't get a job because I'm black/Mexican/etc, and that IS a lazy and lame excuse. May be true sometimes- as these posts so blatantly show- if you're a black MT having a hard time getting a job, after reading these posts you have a valid point.
My MT IS black, as is the majority of front desk staff and at least half the MTs at the ME I go to. I'm not.
If you've suffered trauma to the degree that you can't be around an entire segment of the population, you need mental health assistance or your life will be limited, and you will likely suffer further suffering. In Baltimore area, where 60% of the population is of African desecent in the City, you wouldn't be able to leave your house.

bear in Columbia, South Carolina said: You better drop out.........I found one that did honor my request and I will use them again.......and NO it's not a racist request and yes,more blacks commit crimes in this country even though they are the smallest %

So why is it so hard to you to admit you're racist?
My ME DOESN'T do that- but we're not deep South, either.

Yes, more blacks DO commit crimes based on numbers: I've worked in corrections. But the vast majority of blacks do not commit crimes-- most of the inmates were black; so were most of the wardens, correctional officers, and civilan staff. I'm not, and I was still treated with respect and decency by all.

Life is a somemation of our experiences, thus I dont need some lamb duck liberal telling me I'm a racist if I request who can and will touch me. You claim your not at all effected by race? Really? So when the muslims killed thousands of American's on 9/11 it didn't effect your opinion? Now you want me to seek mental Heath to get over it? I guess I will need a double dose of your wisdom as my cousin was killed in Iraq by the same cultures, all so you can sit there and tell me to suck it up and take what I get? Let me still you in a prison full of vilolent criminals where your the minority and see after thirty days of treatment if your not a tad biases? The world is full of people with agendas, and opinions but I should not be chastised for choosing who I want to massage me.

Coco in Buda, Texas said: Life is a somemation of our experiences, thus I dont need some lamb duck liberal telling me I'm a racist if I request who can and will touch me. You claim your not at all effected by race? Really? So when the muslims killed thousands of American's on 9/11 it didn't effect your opinion? Now you want me to seek mental Heath to get over it? I guess I will need a double dose of your wisdom as my cousin was killed in Iraq by the same cultures, all so you can sit there and tell me to suck it up and take what I get? Let me still you in a prison full of vilolent criminals where your the minority and see after thirty days of treatment if your not a tad biases? The world is full of people with agendas, and opinions but I should not be chastised for choosing who I want to massage me.

I'm a life-time member of the NRA, and a small government Libertarian- Ron Paul was my choice, though his racist associations have disappointed me.

Racism does NOT equal Conservatism, even though some of you folks lump on. Liberals have their racists, too, though.

If you jump in fear and can't leave your house if you see a Muslim, yep, you need therapy. If you are suspicious of Muslim groups due to prior terrorist acts, but still can speak to Muslims and get to know them as individual and form judgements then, you're being sensible.

Using personal experience is not bias- it's common sense. What the heck do you base YOUR judgements on?

If you want to make judgements based on race alone, that's your choice.
If you want to pretend you're not a racist because of that, well, that's your choice too.

Just don't expect anyone else to be fooled. :)

Now, about that Massage Envy.....

Mike I didnt realize you were a NRA member, that changes everything. If you had just told me you were a Rush fan and not a "Pinhead". I would have coward down right off the bat and admit im part of the "White Brotherhood" and stated "I'm a racist". My bad!

Owner/Clinic Administrator in Atlanta, Georgia said: I'm saddened to see so many massage therapists who feel so negatively about what Massage Envy is trying to accomplish. Our whole goal is to bring massage to the masses and to allow all people to benefit from a therapeutic massage session regardless of whether or not they make a ton of money. How could you expect any business to pay you more than half of what they make on a service? Especially when all you are require to provide is your talent. The Massage Envy's all over the nation are dolling out big bucks to provide you with a safe and professional environment to practice your trade in and you are basically crapping in the hand that feeds you. Not only that, but tell me one other company that goes out of it's way to provide continuing education classes for it's therapists, health insurance at no cost to the employee, and a life insurance policy to be paid out to your loved ones if anything were to happen to you? I find these comments selfish and unwarranted. But luckily for me, and the other owners and operators out there who are interested and extremely invested in bringing this concept to everyone, there are still therapists out there who do work at massage envy and value every client that they have the pleasure of touching. It's not always about the money per massage but the money overall and the abundance of people you get to help. I would love to see a site bashing the people who organize the legal aide branches throughout the country and doctors without borders, I doubt I would see any of their employees complaining about not being paid enough money to pay back their minimum of 8 YEARS of education.

Doctors without borders are helping in war torn areas where people's lives are at risk. There's no comparison!

OMG Owner/Clinic Administrator in Atlanta Georgia, you are SO full if $%#^ and a striate out liar!!! Well mostly, yes ME is bring massage to the masses that can’t pay $60+ for a hour massage, but paying $35 + $15.00 tip, ($50 for a 50 min massage) is not that much of a bargain, when you can get a FULL 60 min for $50. As for the continuing education classes, WHAT classes??? The online ones, all 2 of them? I have taken them and they are JUST Barley basic training! Do you offer classes that are hands on? If so you are one of the ONLY clinics in Atlanta that does that. The 3 I have worked at did not do that in the 4 years I worked for ME. And as for insurance, only one of the clinics offered that and the therapist had to work 35 hours a week and pay half. It was not at no cost to the therapist! Not a one offered life insurance!
Maybe YOUR clinic offered all that, but 90% don’t (here in Atlanta), I have talked to therapist in 17 of the 18 clinics in Atlanta, and you Owners/ administrators have your therapist working when they are sick, in pain and I have even seen therapist told to do modalities they were not trained to do. Maybe if ALL the clinics offered the same benefits things would be better!
To other past and present Massage Envy therapist, email Karen Menehan Editor in Chief of Massage Magazine at kmenehan@massagemag.com with your stories about working at Massage Envy. They want to know the truth about working there, not just what the company wants the people to know.

client said: Hi. I am glad I found this forum.

I have limited financial resources (otherwise I would go to a deluxe spa which includes many amenities far and above the actual massage), but if I feel any pressure whatsoever to tip in addition to paying a membership fee, then I simply will not join Massage Envy.

I am shocked and disappointed to learn that a membership-based entity would even permit you to accept tips, let alone encourage them

Then I suggest you try training, becoming state and nationally certified and performing massage and see if you are not worth tips and on grander scale than waitress or cab driver? The massage may match the tip/no tip you have offered the therapist.

Eric in Toronto, Ontario said: Do the Massage Envy therapists get paid an hourly wage or do they only get paid per massage completed? i.e. Do they get paid $15 per hour for being scheduled for a 8 hour shift ($120) or do they only get paid for every hour of massage they have scheduled in that shift?

I just got back from a ME presentation and you do not get paid the above price unless you have completed a massage.....but was informed that at the end of the day they evaluate and give you the greater amount depending on how long you waited for a client, I am considering becoming part of the ME work force as a therapist and this discussion really makes me feel uncomfortable deciding what to do, it all seemed to make sense until now please can I hear from Massage Therapist currently working and how is the pay going? Im a fairly new graduate and our school strongly supports ME........help ~confused~

not yet ready for this in White Salmon, Washington said: I just got back from a ME presentation and you do not get paid the above price unless you have completed a massage.....but was informed that at the end of the day they evaluate and give you the greater amount depending on how long you waited for a client, I am considering becoming part of the ME work force as a therapist and this discussion really makes me feel uncomfortable deciding what to do, it all seemed to make sense until now please can I hear from Massage Therapist currently working and how is the pay going? Im a fairly new graduate and our school strongly supports ME........help ~confused~

oops I meant they give you either the 15 dollars or min wage which ever one is greater..........how long do you wait there for a client...........really thinking about things right now.

Karen Menehan editor in chief at Massage Magazine what’s to know about your time with / at Massage Envy. Email her at kmenehan@massagemag.com. She wants to hear from the therapist that have / are working there. The good, bad and the ugly!!!

You get paid per massage unless you work a full shift and have like 1 client. Then you get hourly. But rest assured they make sure you have the minimum at least amount of clients so they don't have to pay hourly. There will be days you just sit there and do nothing but wait for your next client.

not yet ready for this in White Salmon, Washington said: I just got back from a ME presentation and you do not get paid the above price unless you have completed a massage.....but was informed that at the end of the day they evaluate and give you the greater amount depending on how long you waited for a client, I am considering becoming part of the ME work force as a therapist and this discussion really makes me feel uncomfortable deciding what to do, it all seemed to make sense until now please can I hear from Massage Therapist currently working and how is the pay going? Im a fairly new graduate and our school strongly supports ME........help ~confused~

I would strongly recommend you write out your questions & go into an interview prepared to get answers from the specific clinic you are applying to. Remember the answers here come from a variety of regions & clinics, so all our experiences are not a good indicator of your regions/clinic owners policies. The option of hourly pay is calculated by pay period by all the owners here in STL region. At the end of two weeks, we calculate BOTH the commission you've made per massage for those two weeks & the # of hours you've been "clocked in" (whether you're in a massage or in the break room; you are paid the great of either for that pay period. This guarantees employees a paycheck even if appointments slow down. It seems obvious that neither the employer or the employee would want business to be slow, but it does happen in this business (no matter where you work)The CA/owner that conducts your interview will most likely be able to tell you when they last paid a therapist hourly to give you an idea if this is the "norm" or the exception. I'd also advise asking about other bonus incentives for therapists & when they offer reviews/pay increases. I've worked w/ ME @ 2 different locations for 6 yrs now & still maintain I'll put my W-2 taken home wages up against a private practitioners take home anyday :)

hi, new here. i hear a lot of griping about massage envy type establishments and yet i don't hear how much they pay? Is it per massage or do the therapists get a hourly rate even if they are not massaging. Seems to me that the therapist should get about 8 dollars per hour if not massaging and at least 25 if massaging. What are the going rates for massage envy employees?

Massage Envy pays $15 per massage & NO hourly pay (it's sad really)
A reputable Spa pays between $25-$45 plus tips an hour. I've been at my Spa for 3yrs and am about $47 per massage plus tips. You should look for a Reputable Spa to work at, preferably Spas around convention Hotels. there's no future @ Massage Envy. :0)

The truth is it varies from clinic to clinic and state to state! Some will pay minimum wage per hour if you’re NOT doing massages and from $15 to $18 to start when doing a massage. What gets me is that the “corporate line” is that you get minimum wage if you’re not massaging, BUT it is left up to the owner of the clinic to do this or not (as well as giving the therapist benefits, sick time, health inc ETC). that is why you (if you have worked or are working at a Massage Envy) need to Email Karen Menehan editor in chief at Massage Magazine at kmenehan@massagemag.com. She wants to know about this stuff and if your clinic offers what the “Massage Envy Corporate” is telling therapist in their ads is true or not!!

LMT in Atl in Gainesville, Georgia said: The truth is it varies from clinic to clinic and state to state! Some will pay minimum wage per hour if you’re NOT doing massages and from $15 to $18 to start when doing a massage. What gets me is that the “corporate line” is that you get minimum wage if you’re not massaging, BUT it is left up to the owner of the clinic to do this or not (as well as giving the therapist benefits, sick time, health inc ETC). that is why you (if you have worked or are working at a Massage Envy) need to Email Karen Menehan editor in chief at Massage Magazine at kmenehan@massagemag.com. She wants to know about this stuff and if your clinic offers what the “Massage Envy Corporate” is telling therapist in their ads is true or not!!

I contacted Karen Menehan & she is doing no such article.

This is the E-mail she send to a other Massage Therapy group, and I NEVER said she was doing a article, please READ what people post and not put in it WHAT you want it to say!!!

Karen Menehan
•

Karen Menehan
kmenehan@massagemag.com
•
• Send email
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Add to contacts
To MEworker Employ
From: Karen Menehan (kmenehan@massagemag.com)
Sent: Tue 12/27/11 1:59 PM
To: MEworker Employ (meempgroup@hotmail.com)
Hi,

Thanks for your message. We appreciate your input.

Are all 82 of you working together to improve the ME experience, or in some other context? I'm curious to know how you are networking. If you could have other Massage Envy employees contact me with their stories?

Thanks,
Karen

Karen Menehan
Editor in Chief
MASSAGE Magazine
• www.massagemag.com
• www.facebook.com/MassageMagazine
• kmenehan@massagemag.com

MASSAGE Magazine is a monthly trade publication for massage therapists. We are the only monthly massage magazine, and the only magazine massage therapists pay to read. We have been in publication since 1985.

LOL, she might have to if enough peopl contact her.

As I can’t post the full email on here I will in parts:
On Dec 24, 2011, at 10:20 AM, MEworker Employ wrote:

Dear Massage magazine,
I am HIGHLY disappointed in the article “Trends & Opportunities” Dec 2011 more so that CG Funk from Massage Envy was one of the “Experts” that you had. As someone that works at a Massage Envy (I have now worked at 6 in the last 7 years and just found one that treats there therapist RIGHT), you need to know and print more about what really happens in there clinics. While the “corporate rigmarole” is what most therapists see in the ads, what they don’t tell you are far more important! They don’t highlight that each clinics in independently owned and operated. And as such a lot of what the “corporate line” offers, benefits, steady work, flexible schedules, etc are NOT OFFERD!
Benefits: Most Massage Envy’s have their therapist work 4, 5 or 6 hours in a row (that is 4, 5 or 6 hours of hands on massage back to back, 3 or 4 days a week) and only offer benefits to FULL TIME (31 to 35 hours a week), most only have 4 or 5 therapist that work more than 30 hours a week. Some M.E’s only consider you Full time of you do 31 to 35 Hours of HANDS ON massages a week, some if you are “at work” 31 to 35 hours a week. What therapist is capable of doing 31 to 35 hours of HANDS ON work a week? More so when you are right out of school! I have been doing Massage for 18 years and there is no way I could do it. This is burn out waiting to happen!

Flexible Schedules: this does vary from clinic to clinic, but if you tell your therapist that they can only work 3, 4 or 5 hours a day 3 or 4 days a week that is not overly flexible. Steady work: this varies as well, a LOT of the clinics we have seen will have therapist on the books for 6 hours and they will only have 1 or 2 massages that day, on top of that, most clinic owners do not pay their therapist a hourly wage, they only get paid when they DO A MASSAGE, the only clinics that we have found that do pay the therapist a hourly wage when they are not doing massages are in states that require it. Most states don’t for a “commissioned employ”. Supplies: they do offer some, BUT some clinics only offer lotion, some just gel, some cream, once more it is up to the OWNER of the clinic, very few offer oil to use. Daily Operational Tasks: just about all the clinics we talked to require there therapist to do “tasks” when not doing massages, from laundry to cleaning the clinic. And as stated before, without an hourly wage therapist are working for free.
A trend that we are seeing now is therapist calling out of work and being taken off the books for the next day or two. We have talked to therapist that had to come into work with colds or the flu, with hand, arm or back pain, with migraines, runny nose, coughing and sensing. They have been told that if they get a doctor’s note they will be put back on the books, BUT without health insurance who can afford to spend $175 to $200 to go see a doctor for a cold?

CEU’s: you see a lot of M.E’s ads talking about them offering CEU’s, all 3 of them that they offer are on line, very seldom will a owner put out the money for hands on, and with the extremely restrictions on what types of massage are allowed at M.E. 99% of what a therapist can take as CEU’s they cannot even do at their clinics. And the hot stone and per-natal CEU’s they offer are very basic.

CEU’s: you see a lot of M.E’s ads talking about them offering CEU’s, all 3 of them that they offer are on line, very seldom will a owner put out the money for hands on, and with the extremely restrictions on what types of massage are allowed at M.E. 99% of what a therapist can take as CEU’s they cannot even do at their clinics. And the hot stone and per-natal CEU’s they offer are very basic.
Now let’s talk about a day in a Massage Envy Clinic. You session starts on the hour or half hour mark depending, the sessions can be 30 min, 60 min, 90 min or 120 min. with 5 min before to talk to the client and 5 min after, and so you get a 20, 50, 80 or 110 min of hands on work. We are told that we have 5 min between clients, or so they like you to believe. With filling out paper work (SOAP notes, were you have a 1” x 1” box to put notes in), talking to the clients about what they should do at home and when to come back or talking about the “wellness program” then changing out the room and at times going to a different room, there is NO TIME to rest between clients

Most time you are getting the client into the room at the time the massage is to start. You might have 1 or 2 min to talk to the client about what brings them in if that and never have the time to do a true and good assessment. On top of this 90% of the time the client has been given miss information about what type of massage there therapist dose, what a massage modality really is and how it is performed. Then the therapist has to explain what the massage the client wanted is and find out what they really wanted (this all cuts into their hands on time). At the 6 clinics I worked at before, the therapist were TOLD they had to do a modality that they did not have the training to do. Putting the client in danger as well as opening the therapist up to law suits if they do something wrong and hurt the client. We have also seen therapist told to do a massage on clients when it was contraindicated and if they therapist refused they were written up and the client given to someone that would do the massage.

On top of all this the clinics take very little care in there therapist health, most do not offer massages to their therapist, some have therapist pay full price for one or offer a discount for massages but only on a very limited (only between this and that time, on this or that day, only 30 or 60 min ETC.) and when the therapist start to get hand, arm or back pain they are chastised for it, and seen as a substandard therapist.
A new thing we just heard of is that more and more if the ME clinics are taking out the therapist ability to have hot foods. Of all the clinics we have talked to only 4 had a way for a therapist to heat up food, and now 6 have told there therapist they cannot bring hot foods into the clinic. When asked way, we were told that this was for the “smell”, that they don’t want food smells in the clinic. So if a therapist wants a hot meal at work they have to go someplace to eat, or eat outside of the clinic.
We could go on and on with things like this and give you pages and pages to read. The corporate office takes very little interest in what happened in the clinics and all in all this makes for poor quality massages and client care.
We hope you take the time to look at all of this and let other therapist out there know what working at some Massage Envy’s can be like.
Thank you
82 Massage Envy Therapist, from 12 different clinics

that is the full E-mail we got from Karen Menehan Editor in Chief MASSAGE Magazine. and is why i posted it all here so you all know!!!!

All ME's ARE DIFFERENT DIFFERENT DIFFERENT!!!!

Yeah, like most big companies they have some flaws and they can be misleading, but that has to do I think with the corporate ideas VS the individual clinic. Pay is lower, but volume is there and not to mention, we shouldn't expect people to pay a ton for a massage if you are a business with monthly visits and a clinic atmosphere. our schedules are flexible, we set our limits and they are almost always followed, and i feel respected at my job. it is a great atmosphere. yeah, you could make more on your own or if you're lucky and want to work at a high-end spa type place...but it's nice to just do your notes, do your massages, throw your sheets in a bin, collect your tips and go home!

OK. ME is a franchise. As such, just like Great Clips, Fantastic Sams, etc they exist to bring reasonably priced services to the marketplace AND make their franchisees (that usually aren't licensed in the services they provide) money. Just like anything else, the quality of the service depends on who's providing it, NOT where it is received.
The pay is not spectacular on a base level BUT I don't have to market, bring/ pay for supplies, do laundry (& provide the supplies for that plus the machine & time to do it) answer the phone & worry about a client booking with someone else because I didn't return their call fast enough. As for them taxing your tips, we are supposed to claim a percentage and if they tax the cc ones who knows if you received any in cash...and that also means that they are your bookkeeper/ accountant.
On a licensing note, I am in Missouri and just to put an LMTs personal costs into perspective: I pay $200 + for liability insurance every year that is required by the state, I pay $100+ every 2 years for my license and I am required to learn at least 12 CE hours every year. A Registered Nurse in MO pays half that much for their license and none of the rest is required at this point.
If you have read this far, I wold like to say that the one thing I would love to see M.E. change is their turnaround time. Maybe 15 min between clients if the therapists wanted it. If not, book 'em Dano. It would go a long way towards increasing therapists health, decreasing burnout and would help the clients get a better service as well.
It's a good place to get more hands on time for a therapist and you can work as much or as little as you want, depending on what hours your store has available and if you have extra time, my store almost always needs coverage for people calling in, etc.so you can have an extra shift if you want it.
There is almost always someplace worse to be than where you are but if you are that miserable, it's time to find a new space

Please keep in mind that a tip is a gratuity. This is from Wikipedia:
"A tip (also called a gratuity) is a sum of money tendered to certain service sector workers for a service performed or anticipated. Such payments and their size are a matter of social custom. Tipping varies among cultures and by service industry. Though a tip is seldom required, and its amount is usually at the discretion of the patron being served, in some circumstances failing to give an adequate tip when one is expected is a serious faux pas, and may be considered very miserly, a violation of etiquette, or unethical. In some other cultures or situations, giving a tip is not expected and offering one would be considered at best odd and at worst condescending or demeaning."
Get it? As much as I like & anticipate a great tip, a tip is NOT mandatory. You may rock a massage & get nothing or you may do a crummy job & get a fabulous tip but please remember that it is a gratuity.

Regardless of whether or not it's "mandatory" your own definition explains that in a situation where gratuity is expected, failing to provide such for good service is a no-no.

Also, to clarify, I think working at a place like ME where you have therapists being paid below the industry standard is very much appropriate, similar to waiters at a restaurant. The only difference is waiters usually have a short orientation class and they're working, not at all like the money and time a LMT invests to become knowledgeable in their profession.

Obviously LMTs working in a more clinical environment shouldn't expect or receive tips, as they're typically compensated much more fairly. (Also, you may say that ME can pay less because they provide the tools of the trade, but so do many chiropractors, hospitals, and physical therapists - and they pay a lot more than ME.)

The Mc Donald's or Walmart of massage
First off the therapists' starting salary is $15 for 1 hour of massage performed(before gratituity). The membership dues are $59 per month which includes a 1 hour massage. This is around 25% of what is charged for the massage. Massage Envy aren't requiered to give their employees raises annually or bi-annually in salary or if they do it is very minimal $0.50 - $0.75 per one hour massage. Also to clarify another thing the therapist is either paid their commission or Fedral Minimum Wage which ever is more for that two week period. If a therapist isn't that busy then they make very little money for their skills. Also if someone cancels who is not a member then the therapist lost out on that hour of work as well as that hour of pay (though this also happens when a member cancels at last second and tries not to pay the cancelation fee as well)

Each one being a franchise the owners aren't required to provide health benifits or sick or vacation time to their therapists and usually they don't. They expect you to do many massages in a row. During your down time therapists are usually expected to help with laundry, stock supplies in the clinic (this varies from owner to owner) (which they are not paid for).

If a client cancels that is a member they are usually not charged for their massage because of people being afraid to upset the client so the therapist ends up losing out on that booking and pay. You pay cancelation policies for a reason people... (not to say that emergencies don't happen)

Some of the posatives though are you make massage available for more people, at an affordable rate. The therapist gets a higher volume of clientelle than they might have if they worked for themself. Your taxes are taken out of your earnings for you. You don't have to handle bookings. You don't have to pay for your own supplies.

I agree with everything you say... however, in my opinion the cons far outweigh the pros to working there. I have my own business. My own clients, I work a corporate job during the day and my clients, I schedule outside of that, when they're available. I have my own table, that I do not mind bringing about, otherwise my clients are welcome to come to my home for their session. I do not require a tip since I'm getting the fee for the massage anyway. I have my own sheets and blankets and can pay for my biotone massage cream with the money I make on my own. It's much better than the crap Hand and Stone and ME supply. My clients know me and are loyal and they help promote my business for me.

Just saying people.. weigh your options. Mine suited me better as having my own business.

Eric in Toronto, Ontario said: Do the Massage Envy therapists get paid an hourly wage or do they only get paid per massage completed? i.e. Do they get paid $15 per hour for being scheduled for a 8 hour shift ($120) or do they only get paid for every hour of massage they have scheduled in that shift?

Massage Envy pays $15.00 per massage not hourly. Yes they do pay minimum wage when you are not working but you are expected to scrub toilets, mop, take out the trash etc etc. The catch is you get paid whichever is greater amount for end of day. Meaning if you did 4 massage made sixty bucks you don't get paid for the time you were getting minimum. To get the discount packages you have to pay $49.00 a month if you don't you pay normal fee you'd pay at a Spa. It is a total ripoff.

massagepoohbah in Toronto, Ontario said: I'm surprised by the level of negativity as well. It would be interesting to hear from more therapists who work at Massage Envy and get their firsthand take on it.

I used to work at Massage Envy. I actually gave my notice and was told my services were no longer needed that way I wouldn't have the opportunity to actually speak to my fellow employees or clients I had for years. It is sad but truly as a therapist it is more about quantity and less about quality. The focus is on getting people in and out as quickly as possible the mentality becomes very similar to working a production line in a factory. Guest are treated kindly as they are the bread and butter. Therapist are surrounded by fear, did I get enough request? Did I sign up enough new members? If not their jobs are on the line and they will fire you even if you have good numbers and lots of people who like you..Very sad I think the concept was once good but the bottom line is fear is driven by the almighty dollar.

Yeah... and on top of that they pay SH|+!!!!

Hi! What do you as massage therapists expect as a tip at ME? If we do 20% - thats 11.40 for a 1.5 hour massage...There are signs posted based on "industry standards" - but I dont know anywhere but high end massage spas (where I cant afford to go!! :) that charge THAT much - paying top dollar for tea, fuzzy robe, pretty decorations etc. I choose me because the good massage is what I'm looking for.

I do empathize with the hopes and dreams of Massage therapists to make a decent living - so what is that? Should I ask my massage thereapist how long they were in school? or go strictly on "quality" of massage...which can be subjective based on personal preference? I actually love being able to compensate people for a job well done - and wish that would happen to other profesions (voting with the wallet...) I would love it if anyone ever tipped me! but its just not standard in my profession! A lot of people - unfortunately with plenty of degrees are makein 15 n hour ...with no hope of tips (tougheconomy)

I guess - ME HAS lowered the price of a decent massage - and they have gotten more people hooked on massages with the lower price point. If they raised the price - well - they wouldl loose clients - no doubt...I would have to go less! So - which is worse - more MTs getting work or less MTs getting paid more. In a "non-essential" service (nobody will die without a massage) and a bad economy...I think the latter is the answer for now if the MTs want to work...sad but true...but there are probably as many economic theorists and labor activists and so on with further opinions on that?
So-how do I do my part w my wallet on the way out the door? 20 bucks an hour(15 + 5 buck tip seems like good money for someone with several months investment in a trade? 25 bucks an hour for more training - maybe a year? 30 bucks? a 20 tip seems a lot to me - am I cheap? I dont make that much and I spent ten yrs in school and 100K on education! Help me out! :)

Even if a cheap rate for customers brings more people in the door a low rate of pay after paying $3,000 to $5,000 for massage school isn't worth it.A $10 tip would seem normal.When corporate takes over business,cheap pay and no benefits are the result.

Client in Denver, Colorado said: Hi! What do you as massage therapists expect as a tip at ME? If we do 20% - thats 11.40 for a 1.5 hour massage...There are signs posted based on "industry standards" - but I dont know anywhere but high end massage spas (where I cant afford to go!! :) that charge THAT much - paying top dollar for tea, fuzzy robe, pretty decorations etc. I choose me because the good massage is what I'm looking for.

I do empathize with the hopes and dreams of Massage therapists to make a decent living - so what is that? Should I ask my massage thereapist how long they were in school? or go strictly on "quality" of massage...which can be subjective based on personal preference? I actually love being able to compensate people for a job well done - and wish that would happen to other profesions (voting with the wallet...) I would love it if anyone ever tipped me! but its just not standard in my profession! A lot of people - unfortunately with plenty of degrees are makein 15 n hour ...with no hope of tips (tougheconomy)

I guess - ME HAS lowered the price of a decent massage - and they have gotten more people hooked on massages with the lower price point. If they raised the price - well - they wouldl loose clients - no doubt...I would have to go less! So - which is worse - more MTs getting work or less MTs getting paid more. In a "non-essential" service (nobody will die without a massage) and a bad economy...I think the latter is the answer for now if the MTs want to work...sad but true...but there are probably as many economic theorists and labor activists and so on with further opinions on that?

I suggest this: Knowing from prior shopping around, I learned the average price in my area for an hour of professional massage- apx. 100. I tip based on that, acknowledging ME gives me a discount rate.
So for an hour, I tip 20 bucks; for 1.5 I tip 30.
It's still a bargin to pay 79 for an hour, including tip, vs. 120!

In most reputable Spas the average massage therapist makes no less than $50 an hour, believe me when I say massage therapist were able to make around $100 an hour back in the 90's being self employed.
If you can't afford a decent spa at least support your local massage therapist not that blood sucking company Massage Envy which pays therapist $15 dollars an hour, treat their therapist like trash and slaves for their own profit & are slowly destroying this industry by recruiting new therapist that have no self respect and don't know any better.

$3-5K??? pfft... I paid $10,000 for my education plus drove 80 miles a day to attend a reputable school for Massage Therapy.. for a YEAR.

I guess we should all leave the massage industry altogether,like myself. I think ME will lower the Massage Therapists wage to almost nothing. I have worked at a location here in Southern California that actually gave their therapists a PAY CUT!!

J.D. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida said: In most reputable Spas the average massage therapist makes no less than $50 an hour, believe me when I say massage therapist were able to make around $100 an hour back in the 90's being self employed.
If you can't afford a decent spa at least support your local massage therapist not that blood sucking company Massage Envy which pays therapist $15 dollars an hour, treat their therapist like trash and slaves for their own profit & are slowly destroying this industry by recruiting new therapist that have no self respect and don't know any better.

The problem you have with this-- Wal-Mart Example. Vast majority of people will not change shopping habits due to feeling bad for employees. My personal opinion- if my current MT leaves I'll follow her; but if she goes someplace where I can't, I'll stay with ME. I've seen no difference in quality between ME therapists and spa or private practioners; the best ones I've been to have been Asian acupressure guys at the mall- clothes on, storefront, 50 bucks an hour, barely any English, could squeeze oil out of a lump of coal...they got shut down when mall up-scaled. And if those MTs at ME hate it, they should quit. If I have no one to choose from, or only lousy folks, I'll quit ME as a customer. But until then...why pay more for same thing? Esp. when folks are willing to work for it, and count on it for their income.

As long as workers have no choice than to work cheap or go homeless,the big bad employer will take advantage of them.People will learn to do without the extras in life.They will learn to live by cash only.Buy food,rent and clothes once a year.Many jobs will no longer be needed,massage,hair dresser,nail tech,ect.Many day spas have all ready shut down due to a slowdown in business.Even jobs that are hiring are low paid and overworked such as CNA.( Check CNA forum)America the new 3rd world country.

anonymous anonmous in Freehold, New Jersey said: Dear Client,
I am a professional massage therapist against Massage Envy. What does what we pay to learn our skill have to do with a corporation undermining the field by paying less than traditional compensation?
Also, regarding your quandry of disliking massage envy, but having limited financial resources, you might want to consider going for a massage at a student clinic at a school if there is one near you -- this way you are benefiting from a massage at a reduced cost and benefiting the student who is getting a person to practice on. I used to volunteer at such a place and often got tips there too. You won't be turned away for not tippping, but tipping is expected in the field of massage similar to the way tipping is expected when you are in a restaurant; however, the massage therapist spent considerable time and money on learning his/her skill. Feel free to Google massage schools to see what massage therapists accomplish to get where they are and to see if there is a school in your area to help you get a low cost massage. The clinics are not always open every week -- to get regular care from the same massage therapist, you may be better off saving up for appointment and going when you can -- a quality over quantity thing. The Massage Envy I worked in refused to provide me ice for a client who needed an ice massage for his medical massage -- you could compromise your safety going to Massage Envy as there main concern is their bottom line -- not the clients and not the MTs.

I provided my own Ice by taking a cup putting water in it and freezing it!! They are not required to provide you with it!! Daaahhh!!!

I don't work here anymore. I worked at the front desk and it was the most awful experience I've had in a long time. They push you to sell these memberships in a robotic non personal way, and look down on you if you don't sell them that way. Then there is the "board of shame" I call it... Where everyone can see the percentage of who got what for each day and month, and it is all anyone can talk about. There were about 3 people I actually liked in this job, and everyone stabs everyone in the back. Don't expect to make any friends, and don't trust anyone. Not worth the pay... not worth the stress.. glad to be out.

Gray Neher in Littleton, Colorado said: My therapists make $25 - $30 per hour session. That includes commission, bonus, spif and gratuity. Sorry but the IRS requires tips to be reported and, hence, they appear on the paycheck.

I was therapist there and I sure your lying about the 20 - 30..plus at ME MT dont get paid by the hour.wow

Actually from my understanding, the ME that my instructor works at (i'm a recent grad) pays 14 an hr. to start per massage, plus 20 is an average tip. That's coming from someone who's been there for a long time.

client said: Hi. I am glad I found this forum.

I have limited financial resources (otherwise I would go to a deluxe spa which includes many amenities far and above the actual massage), but if I feel any pressure whatsoever to tip in addition to paying a membership fee, then I simply will not join Massage Envy.

I am shocked and disappointed to learn that a membership-based entity would even permit you to accept tips, let alone encourage them

The membership you hold pays the corporation. The one who is doing your luxurious and physically taxing massage is only receiving $15 for that one massage! Do not get confused here...the therapist is NOT paid by the hour...only per massage! So in four hours of exhausting physical work so you members can " relax" the LMT only only makes $ 60! You are concerned with tipping them? Really? I wonder what happens to your Waiter. At least they get minimum wage + tips. Unbelievable