Dolce Salon And Spa CULT, federal labor law wages-illegal practice, non payment of overtime, manditory meetings unpayed, illegal firings, COBRA denied employees, ripoff of employees Chandler Arizona

I have reason to believe the ex-employee is correct in that Dolce does practice illegal time reporting, to avoid paying overtime and the reporting and payment of commissions.  The ex-employee may be upset, but they have a legitimate right to be.  

Dolce also has 4 Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases filed in February of 2014 under 4 different Dolce entities.  This seems a bit suspisious to me in my opinion.  Most likely the real reason the Peoria location was closed.  Who knows which one will be next? 

There are also several more employee complaints to be found regarding the ex-employee's complaint, among others, on the internet.  Employees do not seem to be treated that well at Dolce and the turn over appears to be very high.  As for me, after all my internet research on this Company, I would never work there or go there for services.

All of Dolces progressives, which are classes, are mandatory, and some of us have to drive over an hour to get there with no compensation what so ever! We don't get paid for any meetings, and I was told we are only allowed to miss one progressive and it must be an emergency. The fact that the owner feels the need to respond with the same statements over and over and is as defensive as she is, tells me something about this company is just not right.

I was a laundry attendant at Dolce salon in Chandler. I decided to quit my job to pursue beauty school on there makeup scholarship. I'm not stupid, I wouldn't have quit my job assuming things would play out the way I wanted them to. After sitting down with corporate going over the scholarship contract I signed it and from there put in my 2 weeks notice. I sat down with my boss signed a form stating I'm quiting, temporarily because I was pursuing the makeup scholarship but will be back to work when school is done. In other words I'm also eligible for re hire. For 2 months the company kept moving my start date for school and kept making up excuses why I couldn't start school. As time went on I was getting very concerned and impatient. I tried finding a job to pass the time till school started but jobs are hard to find these days. I actually was considering working part time while going to school full time but my boss advised me that I  should make school my first priority and she didn't think I could handle doing both. Still I asked if she could find a way to work it out to where I can work 16 hrs a week. I live at home with my parents so it's not like I have to pay as much rent or other bills compared to if I lived on my own. She told me she would try but not long after that she told me she couldn't work out the schedule. So, I took her advise thinking she had best intentions for me. Honestly I don't think it's her fault, she has told many of my co workers to file for unemployment because she knows just as well as most of us that Dolce corporation is crooked. I know It's not just Dolce almost all corporations are crooked. Another thing the same day I signed that form stating I temporarily quit she hired someone else to replace me but she told me she couldn't work the schedule giving me 16 hrs a week. I tried getting unemployment but at the appeals hearing I was denied because not only did I quit but I declined a job offer. Corporate offered me a job position in Borgata which is 60 miles one way from my home outside Queen Creek. I drove up there a few times and clocked it on a good day it takes an hour and 20 minutes. On a bad day where there's traffic and possible accidents an hour and 40 minutes. The attendant director there couldn't promise me 35-40 hrs that I wanted,she couldn't promise me 30. If I get paid $8 an hour, lets say I work 25 hrs a week and get a check every two weeks I wouldn't have money to pay my bills or be able to save a little, it would all go to gas alone. According to corporate they mapquest my home address to Borgata and it takes 30-35 mins. Hahaha that's funny maybe if I drove 90 all the way there, hit every green and cut people off in the process. It takes me 40-50 mins to get to the Chandler location depending on traffic and possible accidents along the way. Another thing that sounds shady is corporate thought I quit Dolce which would disqualify me from the scholarship. I thought companies kept records and documentation on who quits and who was terminated. I asked human resources for a copy of the form I signed stating I quit and that I'm eligible for re hire. So far I haven't received my copy of it Now she is claiming I'm no longer eligible for re hire because I lied to DES to get unemployment wages. I was 100% truthful to DES and I was nothing but cooperative. They wanted copies of pay stubs, w2, the contract and emails they got it.I can't lie if the proof is there.  Human resources also stated in an email to me that this isn't retaliation against me for pursuing unemployment. Wow! When I say wow I mean you must think I'm stupid when really it's you (H.R) Obviously this is retaliation because I'm trying to get what I'm entitled to, retribution. I will be taking my copy of the contract and emails with me when I meet with a lawyer. Dolce breached a contract, breached an employment agreement and wrongful retaliation. Brandi hopes to open up more Dolce spa's, I think at this rate if she did open a 4th one it wouldn't prosper. So many current, ex employees and even customers have a lot of negative experiences. I never knew a company that went through employers like they change underwear. I speak on behalf of a few laundry attendants, they don't receive any raises and if it weren't for us/them, the ones beneath you the spas wouldn't be up to "dolce standards". Not like Brandi or any of the stylist, techs, artist or therapist are going to do laundry, sweep, mop, clean bathrooms. No of course not they're too good for that. Don't get me wrong I know we chose to have the job title but most of the time we don't get treated with respect. You might think all were doing is easy labor, again don't get me wrong it is but doing it 6-8 hours a day, five days a week it's exhausting doing so much to keep the salon looking immaculate and management still complains. The laundry director in Chandler always complains how we need new washers and dryer and it's been put off for the last 2 yrs or so because the owner doesn't want to shell out the money. Aren't we greedy, how do you expect you're salon to bring in more customers so you can make more $$$$ if you don't shell out some to get back more in the end. Saturdays are the busiest days, we constantly run out of laundry and when the machines go out we're basically screwed, leaving stylist, therapist, techs out of luck when it comes to having clean laundry and when things come to a stop customers aren't happy. Sorry I just thought I would add that in to for thought, maybe, maybe not.... 

I recently posted my own rip off report expalining more in depth my situation. I hope by posting this maybe someone or myself will be helping others in a similiar situation. I'm also looking for a lawyer to consult with so hopefully (fingers crossed) I will find a lawyer to represent me. Good luck to everybody who has been ripped off and as for Brandi I don't wish you bad but I don't wish you well.

I am so glad I found this. I went to Dolce for a pedicure with a friend. The atmosphere at Dolce is very cold. I am a kind and friendly person and I smiled at the receptionist and laughed at how I hard a hard time finding the place. The salon coordinator (or whoever the woman is who directs you once you come in) cut me off mid-sentence and very rudely asked me "do you have an appointment" as if I were intruding (tone is everything, she was NOT being nice). There were no customers behind us, and yes we did have appointments. I wanted to leave at that point, but stayed for the pedi anyway.

I had hairy legs that day because I did not expect to get a pedi, then my dog died and I felt so bad I wanted some pampering. I was able to get at appointment within a few hours. My tech was nice about my hairly legs. Both our nail techs were very nice but our pedis were done in less than 40 minutes, including soak time. I realize that they have other clients, but a good pedi should take longer (especially on MY feet)! I felt bad complaining because the nail techs were so nice, and I don't want to say who because they do not deserve to get in trouble. A little more time should be allowed for pedi's.

I did not feel pampered. I felt like I was intruding and like I was rushed. My temporary flip-flop broke in the parking lot, but I did not want to go back into the snake pit, so I just hobbled to the car. 

After reading the "Presidents" response, no wonder the place is not welcoming. I had heard not to go there. I once worked with a girl who just graduated from cosmetology school and was pregnant. According to her she had to interview with a group of women and one told her "your job has to be your life... and we don't like people with children." I didn't want to believe that, I was not sure she didn't take something the wrong way, but after reading the attitude of the "President" I now wonder if maybe she was not mistaken. 

Brandi, the "President" says that "when the respondents run a multi-million dollar company I think we can play on the same field" well, that says it all. She thinks she's better doesn't she? Well, I also heard she received a million dollar loan from rich daddy to start the company, although that is hearsay. That is not something to be proud of and does not make you better, just spoiled, in my opinion. Maybe if you had to start from the bottom you would have a more firm grasp on the world of customer service. Maybe. One thing is for sure - I will never go to Dolce again. 

You may be the largest salon in Arizona, but remember, the bigger they are, the harder they fall.

I worked for Dolce around the time all this was going on by the dates the entries were written and I will say, I never had a problem working there. The company was professional, the employees were great to work with and I never once saw or felt that they were ripping anyone off/treating thempoorlyin any way. It's sad to see people going on here and bad mouthing a company they used to work for, more than likey because they were let go for other reasons they are not listing. I admit, I was let go but for the right reason. It was bad timing for what was going on in my life at the time and I have never bad-mouthed the company for doing so.

If you worked for Dolce and were let go and you feel it was unlawful or unfair in any way, why not try contactingthe owner yourselves instead of taking it apon yourself to go on a site andbash the company with false information to make them look bad? Dolce is a well-knownsalon,I know plenty of people who get services done there, as well as myself (whenI have the money, haha) and never once heard any negativity towards the company. I commend Brandiforreplying to the negative postings on here and defending Dolce. If anything, it makes me want to get a servicedone at one of the salonsrather thanputting a bad taste in my mouth.

Response/corrections to last statements

1. as usual this "report" is hard to follow due to writing skill level.... but I will do my best to address what I think is stated.

2. No one pays for Dolce Education, in fact Dolce pays for all Education. In the case of the initial training period everyone is "offered" and not "allowed" (as was stated) a Financial Loan from Dolce. They do not pay for anything, it is a wash in fact, if they want the loan Dolce pays them during the training and then through check deductions, over a period of time, that person pays back the loan amount to Dolce..i.e LOAN. Again, they do not need to take a loan, there is no interest or any fees on the money (which there could be) and they are not paying for the education. They also sign an agreement stating that they are volunteering to take the loan and how it will be payed back, if they do so.

3. The very statement Alex makes in his report "However, Dolce "allows" the employees to repay the co. for training over time...What a joke.." contradicts that his GF would be paying Dolce. This speaks to the ACTUAL policy of "allowing" someone to take a loan and pay it back. Which, like I said, makes it a wash and no one is paid anything.

4. If all of this is the case with Dolce why would anyone waste their time taking 2 weeks of education? Why would someone WANT to apply and be hired at Dolce and then "pay" for education for 2 weeks? Especially when they feel it is not right and question its grounding, and furthermore the company as a good place to work at all.

5. Alex, I will be sure and notify the appropriate people to look for the "secret" recording device during the 2 week period and immediatly put your gf at ease that she will not be needing to work for such a horrible company that insists on its people being educated, so much so that it spends an incredible amount of money on it, gives loans to make it easier to go through, and has 2 weeks of non-income producing people in class as students and teachers, which is a financial loss to the company.

6. And yes in fact you cannot record this education because in the 2 weeks of education the information being presented is our intellectual property and trade secrets which are being discussed and it is not simply a conversation between 2 people,furthermore it is a group of people involved and additionally if your girlfriend works here she will know she signed a document which was discussed and read that states that this all belongs to Dolce and this document was drafted by our attorney, it is a legal document. We certainly do have control over people coming in and recording anything we do to use however they want without our knowledge.

7. Alex you don't need to worry about Dolce "going down the wrong road." Trust me, we are well researched and represented. The fact that you even think this stuff could possibly bring down a company like Dolce shows your lack of business and legal knowledge... leave that to the experts. Everything you listed is looked at as quite the opposite... these are all "benefits" in the business world and there is nothing illegal about any of it, although YOU might want to be a bit more careful, as it is far more likely a company like Dolce could pursue a missguided person like yourself for doing such unethical things as you have suggested and making such erroneous statements like you have. Fortunetly that is not the way Dolce makes money and it would take much more than this for us to "go down that road."
Perhaps you should also consider more productive and financially rewarding endeavors than planning and sceaming to Possibly find out something that Might be happening that is not right to You Personally.

Thank you,
Brandi Nuttall

I don't have first hand experience because my gf is already hired onto their Scottsdale location. I am not sure about everything that was said, but a few things are going to make us change our mind. First, I have spoken with dozens of individuals who have left the Dolce because of the way they treat employees.

However, the part this is very suspect, is that the co. wants the employees to train for 2 weeks during business hours and the EMPLOYEE has to pay for the training. How does a professional pulling in $80k with a mortgage have to live off beans to work at Dolce? However, Dolce "allows" the employees to repay the co. for training over time...What a joke..

I can't believe the fastest growing and most profitable salon would have to resort to such tactics. They are surely lining themselves up for a lawsuit... I am for one in law school, father is a lawyer and if my gf goes through with training, rest assured she is going to have a recorder to secretly record conversations'(legal to use in court in AZ) and will document EVERYTHING!

These type of co.'s always get cocky when they start out and learn the hard way.
Dolce, I hope it does not go down this road..

I am a loooong way from Arizona so I'll never visit this salon, but I think the owner did a very good job in defending her business. She was clear, precise, logical and made perfect sense. If I lived in the area, I would not hesitate in stopping by for services.

Brandi,

My wife is a message therapist in Chandler. Maybe I will send her in. As you know you can't leave numbers here and I don't want to put her name out these. Good luck and prosper.

John
Couldn't have said it better myself and I thank you! My only pressure to respond is that when you Google my name or Dolce this stuff can come up and it could be bad PR, which unfortunately I need to monitor for regularly but fortunately have come across very little.

Since you have only had the opportunity to drive by, I would like to send you a Gift Certificate, both to motivate you to stop by and also to show my appreciation for you taking the time to comment on my behalf. Please email me at the info address on our site.

Thank You!

I don't know that I would take someone that is looking forward to unemployment very seriously. Doesn't sound very ambitious to me. I drive by Dolce almost every day. Nice location, nice business. There are no public records in Maricopa for suits or judgments and no negative press. I think that lack of these things speaks volumes in a litigious society.

My advise to Brandi is to stop responding to this as she has nothing to explain. It is much ado about nothing.

The response is detailed because it was addressing false statements concerning legal allegations while naming a company. As a business that is operating above reproach I find it necessary to address all allegations in a clear and factual way, as gossip on the internet is forever recorded and can have influence on the public whether or not it is factual.

It is a shame that I need to take time to address nonsense, not that it shouldn't be allowed.

We have a staff of over 200 and rapidly growing, we have won awards for business practices and ethics, we have no legal issues and non are pending.

We prefer to terminate over allowing a person the quit for internal operations reasons, although neither one effects our company in any negative way that involves unemployment which we would care to attempt to control, as rating is based on overall business percentages and not individual claims.

The employer isn't attempting anything to be nice as Dolce operates with department heads and Directors and they facilitate all separation, with discretion left to them on status.

It wasn't said that there are no such classes, it was stated that they are obviously not mandatory.

As a private business we can recommend any education we feel is a benefit to our company and staff is free to decide whether or not anything that we do is a fit for them, it is not for everyone, just like any other entity.

We are an at-will employer and hold no staff to a contract; they can leave immediately if they ever feel compelled. Our turnover percentage is far under industry average and we are known for our staff's loyalty and dedication. As one of the most successful salon and spas in the country our numbers and history speak for themselves.

This employee was let go and stated so in the letter, as a matter of fact and using the word "fired". I know who it is and I can speak to the situation accurately and specifically. I don't see how these 2 additional commentators can speak to a situation regarding Dolce and its policies and procedure, as neither have worked at Dolce or even been a patron. Again this speaks to my concern for internet falsity and the public's views of it.

This is not a legitimate forum, such as the Better Business Bureau, which this site is mocking. On the BBB site they follow a method of research and accountability, you will not see the ranting of an individual venting without sufficient evidence, in fact they follow the claim in a sort of mediation process. They definitely do not have an outlet for onlookers giving their random thoughts on the situation. That is an example of freedom and RESPONSIBILITY of speech which are both important.

Although the hanging on to my every word reference style in response is flattering!

When the respondents run a multi-million dollar company I think we can play on the same field.and I am open to playing defense in an adult game.

The reason the employer is so nice to word the separation document that way is so she does not have an unemployment claim.

It is almost impossible to collect unemployment if you quit. Notice I said almost.

To the OP..file an unemployment claim, then when asked the reason why you quit, say it was due to illegal activities by your employer.

That gets the ball rolling.

FYI..You can still file those wage claims.

Glad I found this....the ex-employee is not entirely wrong. Besides, look how detailed the owner is on her rebuttal.

Actually, the proof would be in the system. If the Federal wage division subpoenaed your records and found the employee time clock records do not match the pay stubs, then there is proof. If an employee is smart and saved those records of their work hours...clocking in and out etc, and pay stubs, that is all that is required by the division. Actually just hand written accord is sufficient. Just as it would show this to be untrue for the business owner if all records are accounted for.

Owner points out....
#8. this is written by someone who did not attend these so called classes. HUH? If they don't exist...how did that person NOT attend them?
#14. Law enforcement would be looking into other activity, or following up if a complaint is made within the police department. For some people that is the first place they go when making a complaint.
#17. Smarter than who? / They may be saying it's not fair that there are people taking advantage of young people entering, or in, the work force? That would be my guess.
#18. Is an immature response if you are the adult business owner.

Again this person stated they were fired but their file was altered to say they quit...why do you consider them a terminated employee just because they complained on this website as an ex-employee. I am not ...I was a patron, well, I was waiting for my cousin and we happened to hear about these so called "personality" classes.....stylists, massage therapists, etc. are like Bartenders.....people talk to each other and confide. We also heard about the "mandatory meetings" and actually being required to not clock in for their shift until AFTER attending them.

It's too bad the owner doesn't favor platforms like this. It is called freedom of speech. Everyone's right. THAT IS WHY YOU WERE ALLOWED A REBUTTAL. As far as other platforms....hope this ex-employee does some of what I stated above if the accusations are true. Sometimes it only takes one to stand up for what is right. Maybe others will finally join in. Those who don't are condoning it. If the ex-employee is not truthful...the vent is a vent and your response was a bit of extra drama for something you say is a NON SENSICAL LETTER. But I don't think so. You were a little TOO DEFENSIVE.

Besides, all anyone needs to do to verify it is talk to a current employee. Seems like not too many of the employees are too happy their, or they wouldn't complain infront of customers about this stuff.

If you are mad enough and gotten screwed by people you tend to need to vent....why do you think I have found this website?!!

Although this complaint is far beyond logic and sense, and therefore difficult to rebuttal with a rational demeanor, I feel compelled to attempt it. Needless to say the entire article was false and beyond reason, except for perhaps the status of it being written by an ex, and furthermore terminated, employee of Dolce Salon & Spa. A name is not given with the complaint although the language and pretense of the file makes it easy to conclude who the author is. I could include the true circumstances of this person's termination but will refrain from doing so since it was in fact not authored officially by this individual. My commitment to writing a factual and first hand perspective rebuttal excludes me from including anything that cannot be proven and this is the first of many differences between me and my opponent.

1.Training for hourly and salary staff is paid by Dolce Salon & Spa.

2.If a meeting is unpaid it is NOT Mandatory

3.We calculate overtime on a weekly basis, going by a 40 hour work week and we pay every 2 weeks. We have let people who are taking days off work extra the following week or before their vacation in order to make up hours, overtime is still paid. This is how someone would be working over 40 hours 1 week and under 40 hours the next, it is on their own accord that this is done.

4.Any problems with clients would be totally unrelated to hours worked and clocking in and out.

5.Any client concern is clearly documented as this is how we file and track any issues, for both managerial reasons as well as accounting. In fact we have a client concern form that is filled out in the case of any client complaints and this is what is used in any discussions. All of our booking is done through a very high end computer software program and EVERY action on this system is recorded, therefore any booking mistakes would be clearly demonstrated. A fine would mean there was money missed as a result of a staff member and this would only come from a report.

6.We do not require attendance to any outside classes and would surely not require anyone to PAY for such a class. In fact Dolce as a company pays full class tuition, hotel and airfare to any outside Dolce sponsored education classes.

7.We have no mandatory classes outside of Dolce and no classes at all that staff would pay to attend.

8.This complaint is written by someone who did not attend this so called mandatory and furthermore re-programming class, so I do not know how they would obtain such information and in addition how it could be shown as mandatory.

9.We would never let anyone go for any reasons unrelated to business operations and the hindrance of such by their personal actions.


10.We will give a copy of paperwork to any terminated individual, as it is a document they are personally signing and in fact do not have to sign. We do this so that there is an understanding of the reasons for which they are being let go, this is a choice by the said individual and something we do above and beyond what we are required to do by law as a company.

11.Marking quit on a separation form is again an option to the individual being let go we allow under some circumstances, this is something we offer so they are not slowed down in finding further work due to being fired from a previous employer. This is to help the individual to move on and is an option given to the terminated individual and not something we pick for them, if they say they would rather have it filed as a termination then we will do so. Again, we do not need to do this; it is something we do above and beyond for our staff.

12.If a paycheck was mailed it was because, again, they selected that option, any returned mail and address correction is out of our hands as it is a post office and or correct/current address issue. As soon as we would receive the mail back the person would be called and told of the issue and asked what to do from there, this is obviously what happened in this case and there is apparently no issue with us not getting the paycheck to them.

13.Cobra paperwork is only sent to eligible former staff members and if denied any such paperwork than this individual was not eligible, although I have no way to verify if this even happened as we have no complaints and this person did not attach their name to this internet declaration.

14.Law Enforcement operates completely out of any wage and employment law issues, in fact they would not have anything to do with such a case and furthermore would not know anything about our company and it's practices as we are a private business with no legal issues in our history.

15.Who is our local channel KTVK and what would they have to do with a salon and spa business? They certainly have no affiliation with Dolce in any shape or form and this person's claims seem to get more fantastical as they do long and incorrect.

16.A raise for going to a personality class? This was not mentioned in the letter until now. We have very extensive paperwork on all of our previous staff promotions and none are tied to attending such a class and many who have received raises have never even been to an outside class, never mind the nature of the class.

17.In the end it is mentioned by the individual that this is not fair! seems to me that this is what this complaint is really about, a feeling of not wanting to be let go by Dolce Salon & Spa, but getting terminated due to performance issues, which they deem to be unfair. This is, unfortunately, a routine part of business and something we often expect, as terminated individuals are not typically on the same page in their work performance, we do whatever we can to prevent this, but it still happens. This individual also put this in the terms of them being smarter than everyone elseneed I say more?

18.If all of these issues were happening during this person's employment, why would they continue to stay employed? Seems like we had to ask this person to leave in order to get rid of him. A very odd ending for such a distraught and unfairly compensated individual I would think.

This is simply a case of a disgruntled ex-employee and I am not in favor of a platform like this being available to any and everyone who feels compelled to write a nonsensical letter about a company. Although I am thankful for the opportunity to rebuttal, I really don't think that every business should have to make the time and effort to search out and respond to these sorts of announcements. There are legal formats for the very same issues and it is a red flag when it is this type of forum is chosen instead of the proper arena for such a complaint.

Consider a little more private due process on your site before displaying any individuals passionate, but false opinions about a business and their practices.

Thank you,
Brandi Nuttall
President Dolce & Companies Corporation