working from home: is it SAFE?

[Dannnnce]

hello,

my last post today and back to work :

do you think it is safe to work as a massage therapist from home? I mean, as a woman, one surely exposes herself to some risks..I can think of a news article last year about a massage therapist having been assaulted (badly) in Bristol. I do not know if she worked from home or if she was going to her clients' homes...anyway, both are a bit risky, no?

So, how do you minimise those risks? Coming to my mind are: advertising massage only to women (and take men only which have been recommended to me), getting a big dog and other radical measures like putting a camera....I know it sounds paranoid, but let's face it, this world is quite twisted; yesterday one of my pupils explained to me the growing phenomenon of "happy slapping" which include assaulting people in the streets and recording it on camera phones (sick, isn't it, where is the world going?).

So, what advice would you have? How can one protect oneself against risky situations when one works alone from home?

And the restriction to women-only treatment might not be a guarantee, you never know...

Any advice welcome!!

 

[pianojazz man]

Hi there

I've been working from home for a year now and like you before I set up I was very concerned. Steps I've taken as follows:

[ul][*]All advertising is aimied at women e.g. 'Dear Madam' 'Ladies, new treatment ..' Everything is pink etc.[*]I have a panic alarm in my room that sets off my house alarm (neighbours know this) - also for approx £150 you can have a telephone box that telephones someones mobile if your alarm goes off.[*]New male clients can only book appointments when my hubbie is in[*]I decline to treat anyone I feel uncomfortable with - see my previous forum entries for some weird happenings where I've told someone not treating them anymore.[*]My appointmets are all 'by appointment only' .. no-one can just drop in as the gate and door would be locked.[/ul]
Hope you find this reasuring, I've not really had any issues so I think if you use common sense then should be ok.

Sally x

 

[DelePyworry]

I agree with Sally - I work fom home, I've never had any problems, and I am very circumspect about my clients.
Sharon.

 

[seamstress]

thanks a lot girls, I did not know about this alarm button - although have seen it in shops. Yes it sounds the only way to do it, toaim massageat women only (I feel sorry for some men, it is a bit unfair..). I wished I could get a doggy too but I have to see about my working hours!
thanks.

 

[hiymuclt]

hello again,
I have not been able to find the dark/weird "happenings" in your previous entries in the forum...which category of the forum, and when?
thanks!

 

[Flirtin Dan Burton]

Hi there

I don't know how to paste the link

It's in massage forum and is called 'Getting rid of unwanted clients ...? and I'm the author

Sally x

 

[Carlito]

Here's the link to the thread SallyH mentioned in her post:

Getting Rid of Unwanted Clients

 

[~ Poca ~]

I agree with the others - advertise yourself as ladies only, and only take male clients if they have been recommended by someone you trust. I used to try to judge new male clients on the phone to see if they were genuine (for Reflexology) - the ones who phoned asking for 'extras' and 2am definitely weren't!!- but this let me down once and although I only saw new male clients in the evening when my husband was at home and very visible, I still felt vulnerable with this particular client. Don't take any risks!

Sarah x