What’s Your Attendance Policy
Instead of a typical informative blog post, I want to ask readers a question: What’s your attendance policy? Everyone is different. I’m curious about how others do it. What works best for you? What have been some mistakes you made and learned from in the past?
Currently, my policy is students pay me at the beginning of the month, in advance. If they cancel on the day of, no refund is given. If they give me 24 hours notice, they will be refunded on the following bill cycle. I always wonder if I could be doing something better. The current policy has protected me from last minute flakes, and set a tone that makes people think twice about canceling without notice. But I still have one complaint. There are a few students who seem to cancel once a month. This is a little frustrating, because I budget my life according to income I should be earning each week. If a student misses at least once a month, what do I do? Do I do anything at all or just let it go? Should there be a policy in place to protect me from this?
Tell me, dear teachers and studio owners. How do you tackle this issue? What has and has not worked for you?
studiohelper
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Adam
We have a similar policy with one exception. Missed lessons do not excuse payment. To me if your reserving a spot you deserve to expect that spot to be paid for. So if 24 hr notice is given, they can rebook. If they choose not to rebook they still pay for it (so the vast majority make it up) I have found this has really helped create steady and reliable income
Bella Payne
Adam- Thanks for your response. What do you do if you don’t have space for a make up? I have such a full schedule, so that is my concern.
studiohelper
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Adam
That is a little more tricky. We have a studio of 10 teachers or so. So there is always a spot open. We also have a few advanced students that are training to become teachers at some point that can do make up lessons. Handy as the original teacher can still dictate how the lesson should go. Might be an option if you have some students that might make a good fit. I have also seen other teachers/studios allow for 2 absences a semester or year (or whatever time frame) Will add to the admin work but might cut down on the absences.
Bella
Thanks, Adam. I was also thinking of giving the makeup lesson a 2 week window instead of 1? Meaning, we have 2 weeks to make up for that missed lesson before they lose their payment entirely. That gives me a better chance to find options.