massage therapist

esthetician

spa manager

housekeeper

nurse injector

Hiatus Day Spa + Med Spa

In all of my years of working, I have never encountered such an inhospitable (on management’s part) working environment as Hiatus. If you are looking for the ability to advance, be prepared to deal management giving you the run-around and encounter “mean girl” higher ups from corporate. Management does not communicate directly or effectively with the people they need to be (i.e. their front desk people), so be prepared for a lot of last-minute hiccups to occur because management did not communicate what needed to be fixed. I got hired back in August as Guest Experience Coordinator (GEC) up front with the intention of eventually moving to the back as an esthetician. Within a few weeks of me starting, the manager who hired me quit, and we spent several months without a manager. I spent the next several months doing things WELL above my pay grade to try and pick up the slack, and when the new manager finally started in December, two of the other GECs quit so the other GEC and myself have been doing tasks for other front desk shifts that are not ours due to being short-staffed (they only pay $11 per hour part time and $11.75 full time by the way, which should be a crime in Austin given how expensive this city is now). I kept the new manager in the loop about graduating from school, when I would be taking my practical exam, etc. She gave me full-time hours when I was done with school but kept me at part-time pay. When I reached out to corporate about it, they met with me and said they “couldn’t give me full-time pay or keys because I’m trying to be an esthetician in the back,” even though they’ve done it for other GECs in the past who were trying to do the same thing. I worked very hard and went above and beyond for this company and they decided to metaphorically slap me in the face. The new manager at the spa is rude and condescending in a way that I personally would never behave with employees. On Thursday, I got so stressed because I, once again, had to do someone else’s duties to the point where I threw up in the break room bathroom. The manager had stormed out of the spa earlier in the shift with two other leads, angrily saying she “had to do employee reviews” and aggressively added that “[GECs] were happening next week”, without telling the other GEC or myself where they were going. It was an uncomfortable situation and if she came back in the building, I wouldn’t have known...because I was busy stress barfing in the back...and of course I couldn’t find her when I came out of the bathroom. So, I texted her what happened and she said she would be “documenting me.” I came in today to turn in my two weeks, she rudely and inappropriately told me that “service providers regularly tell her that I seem unhappy” (regardless of how true that is, of which I doubt, what kind of manager says stuff like that to their employees) and when I tried explaining to her what happened on Thursday, she talked over me, saying that I “knew exactly where she was” (no I didn’t, she didn’t tell us where they went) and that I needed to leave, without even letting me explain and shutting down my opportunity to finish out my two weeks. The Better Business Bureau will be hearing from me and I give it another couple of months until the Austin location closes its doors. Poorly managed, from the management they hire all the way to corporate in Dallas. Sad.

Management is an absolute mess, don’t even bother getting to know them, they won’t be there within a few months and then you’re off to the next one or just without one and the whole spa is put on the back burner. Huge lack of communication with all departments. Once you’re there for over a year you start being taken advantage of. Good luck getting any vacation or personal time approved even with 3 month notice. If you’re sick with anything you have to get covid tested & doctors note for ANY little THING, and will not let you return to work until you have negative test which goes against your attendance record. Also no sick leave kr pay compensation for them telling you that you cannot return. 
Spa is usually a mess in the back and highly unorganized. Therapists/esthis don’t clean their rooms over half the time. Expired products all over and won’t be thrown out. Books don’t get balanced NOR does management care to have the front desk maximize your books for you for optimal client retention. 
They force you do ALL services they offer even if that’s not your specialty or you’re not good at it or have medical reasonings for not being able to do so, IE; all body waxing (hard on back), hair tinting, body wraps (hard on back), etc. 
All in all, this company was good 3-4 years ago, then after covid they just focused on themselves and their own growth to make as much money as possible. They don’t give a hoot about their employees and it SHOWS. Most employees are actually miserable and they aren’t shy about it.

What is the best part of working at the company?
You will make money if you are a good service provider. This is a high volume spa. There is money to be made if you are good at your job.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Management has a very HIGH turnover rate so it is a constant state of chaos. They hire highly unqualified managers because they are under paid. They are NOT flexible at all with the work schedules and do not honor time off requests. They also delete employee service appointments whenever you book to receive a service on your day off. They don't care about a work/life balance. They also expect everyone to VOLUNTEER to do laundry when the hourly paid employees call out or feel overwhelmed with attending to the spa. They have MANDATORY UNPAID staff meetings every month. They do NOT follow state cleaniness recommendations/guidelines. You will have to reuse dirty linens for every service per management and spa attendant manager's request.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Toxic. There is money to be made, but at a cost.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Busy. High volume. Chaotic. Supply and personnel shortage. Lots of text messages from management that rarely directly involved you, but they live in the chat inbox.

My experience at Hiatus has been very positive. It’s exciting to work for a company that has grown so much and continues to grow. A typical day is busy, productive, and team-oriented, with a strong focus on creating a great experience and supporting one another behind the scenes.

I’ve learned a lot through my time here, especially about communication, teamwork, adaptability, and what it takes to grow within a fast-moving company. Management is supportive and focused on building a strong business while continuing to improve systems and invest in the team.

The culture is welcoming, professional, and collaborative. People care about the work they do, and there is a shared commitment to high standards. The hardest part can be navigating the pace that comes with growth, but that also brings opportunity and keeps things exciting.

The most enjoyable part of the job is the people and the feeling of being part of something that is continuing to expand and improve. Overall, Hiatus has been a great place to learn, contribute, and grow.

If you're a hard worker, you will not be recognized. Pay is low and work load is HIGH. Our Spa Manager was way too young to be in the position she was and worked to the bone. I felt bad for her but, she along with other managers had this "better than thou" attitude towards service providers and the front desk. I always felt like a burden if I asked for help. In the interview, they make it out to be something it really isn't. There was no real training, or tools to prepare me for the job but, I made it work. Every time I reached out for help to get us the tools we needed, even just written instructions for our day to day stuff, it was never acknowledged. In the time I was there, turn over was high and, nobody left on good terms or happy. They cared more about their personal projects then helping us do our jobs correctly. Never have I worked for such an unorganized place in my life. The owners are absentee ones who are usually out of pocket or, busy vacationing.It's clear that this business was a rich white woman's project to keep her pockets full and her pay-rolled friends busy. This place is sad...

What is the best part of working at the company?
The hours and the flexibility and the free parking and location.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The front staff that checks clients out has to know how to calculate 20% tips, on the original price. Also when clients would ask how much to tip the front staff always said 10 to 15 percent and I’ve heard one person say‘ ‘just tip what you feel is appropriate’.  Just say 20 percent!  And, you had to rely on the front to apply commission of products sold honestly and so many times they don’t.  Also, you have to wash bowls and carry product trays from back room to treatment room.  Waste of time and agonizing.  Doing these foot soaks in every facial service is painstaking to an aesthetician.  Awful.  

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
When I was there it was fun then we lost manager and assistant manager and it went downhill.  They have cameras with microphones in the break room and other areas.  They watch you and it’s a creepy feeing.   

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Easy place to work.  In and out like all spas.  15 minute turnaround time between clients.  Hopefully you will have retail products stocked to sell.  Pretty easy daily work.

Management was often late opening this business. Threatening staffs pay. Would schedule therapists over 9 hours a day with no breaks or lunch. If you brought these problems to management attention, you were made to feel like your job was in jeopardy. I came from a 4 diamond resort out of state and have never had to endure such an irresponsible team lead. Every weekend, we ran out of linens. We sometimes had to run to the store to get ingredients to make treatment products in the middle of the day because the management had no idea about spa business. Every day, all the employees would talk about discussing all of these issues with the owners, and when i did, the owner said that if i had a problem with my manager, i could take it up with her. Of course she never resolved our company problems. The most bizarre thing i have ever been asked to do as a therapist was to get on a latter prior to my shift, and fix a/c vents. This place could really be great, but they need a more experienced management team.

I’ve had a great experience working at Hiatus. The company truly focuses on guest experience while also supporting team growth and development. There is a strong emphasis on education, which helps providers build confidence in their services and product knowledge.

Leadership is very goal-oriented and encourages the team to succeed through clear expectations around performance, guest retention, and retail. It can be a fast-paced environment, but it creates opportunities to grow professionally and build strong client relationships.

One of the highlights is the team culture—when everyone is aligned, it really feels like a collaborative and supportive environment. Like any service-based role, success depends on staying proactive with bookings, enhancements, and retail, but the tools and support are there to help you succeed.

Overall, it’s a great place for someone who is motivated, enjoys working with guests, and wants to grow within the spa and wellness industry.

When they hire you they tell you they offer insurance but don't tell you you have to 32 hours a week of HANDS ON massage! They have a complex job rate and bonus system. If you under preform according to this system they will lower your job rate. You have 15 minute turn over between services. You are required to do a basket with product recommendations. They never have the most popular items in stock but you are really pushed to sell. You do a foot treatment with each service which cuts into the client's service time but it is nice to massage clean feet. You are booked all shift long and it's a membership spa so you develop relationships with clients seeing them monthly. Steady income but they make sure to keep your hours at part time. You are also required to attend staff meetings and fill in a online document weekly and a meeting monthly to help you with your sales. You aren't paid for the time you do all that.

This place is beautiful but you get paid next to nothing. Massage Therapist should be respected and paid at least 40% of services rendered but they only give you a lousy 24 dollars.  They also do Groupon which hurts the company more and hurts the employees due to the fact that after all is said and done you will get nothing. Also Groupon clients don’t tip and they are the worst clients. Some days you will have no clients and you will have to sit there on your butt all day.  Clients are always late and never told to arrive earlier for paperwork. They expect you to do 50 minute massages and do foot scrubs for people or a warm neck  pillow. I am sorry if I was a client I would expect to get my 60 minutes I paid for not a foot bath. At my old spa, we did foot baths before the massage while they waited in the relaxation room and the spa attendants took care of that. Spa attendants constantly quit due to ridiculous expectations.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Massage therapist 15 salaries reported	$43.80 per hour
Esthetician 14 salaries reported	$42.86 per hour
Spa manager 11 salaries reported	$82,318 per year
Housekeeper 1 salary reported	$14.50 per hour
Nurse injector 17 salaries reported	$145,735 per year

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