How to deal with a cash management error?

Find out what to do in the event of a cash register error for your hairdressing salon.

In a hair salon or beauty salon, cash register errors can happen. We tell you all about the penalties and risks incurred by the employee and the employer according to the law, but above all, find out how the application of the law is applied. Wavy allows you to avoid mistakes ;)

What is the origin of the cash register errors in my living room?

Today, when you sell services or products in your beauty establishment, you are obliged to keep a digital or paper cash register journal (if you are computerized, see the blog article Wavy about the certification of cash register software in January 2018). When it's time to add up the day's receipts, you'll see a surplus or deficit.  

1- In the first case it's rather positive, but we advise you to find the origin of it by going through the receipts and contact the customer. Suggest, for example, that the overpayment be deducted at the next consultation. And there you have a loyal customer!

2- In the case of a deficit, it is more complicated because the origins can be diverse.

  • You simply miscounted, always check the result a second time (phew!)
  • An employee made a mistake at the time of collection (error is human!)
  • A customer stole from the cash register
  • An employee gave himself a small bonus (worst case scenario...)

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How to react when an employee has made a cash register error?

If the cash register error does not exceed a few euros and is exceptional, we advise you to simply notify it. There is no minimum amount mentioned by law, but if your employee turns against you judging the amount to be derisory, you risk giving your hairdressing or beauty salon bad press. You may even lose at the labour court if you ever hire a dismissal that could easily be deemed abusive.

Can the offending employee be asked to pay out of pocket or deduct the missing amount from his or her salary?

NO. This option is totally prohibited by law: Article L. 1 331-2 of the Labour Code states that "fines or other pecuniary penalties are prohibited".  

In case of non-compliance with these provisions, you may be sanctioned by article L 1334-1 which states that "the fact of imposing a fine or a pecuniary penalty in disregard of the provisions of article L 1331 is punishable by a fine of €3,750".

What are the possible and legal sanctions?

If theft is detected or if there are regular checkout errors, there are several possibilities:

  • Issue a written warning or reprimand to the employee at fault (by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt valid for 3 years)
  • Transfer or demotion (if the demotion involves a reduction in salary it is not a financial penalty because the reduction in salary is a consequence of the penalty).
  • Disciplinary dismissal
  • Consider dismissal for professional incompetence or serious misconduct in the event of theft being detected.

In all cases we advise you to be assisted by a qualified professional (lawyers, accountants, etc.).


How does the checkout system in the Wavy app help you avoid checkout errors?

If you are not computerized, opting for Wavy is a first step into the digital world with a secure checkout system that will save you time. All transactions are recorded on the cash register software and the cash register journal is updated instantly. In the evening, all you have to do is check that the amounts recorded by type of payment are identical to what you have received. The cash drawer is secure and no customer will be able to open it. So all you have to do is count the cash present at the end of the day.  

To go further, a dashboard offers you your daily, weekly, monthly or annual statistics (by type of service or employee). To save even more time, these reports can be sent directly to your accountant, in one click!

Written by
Aurélie Pauker
Always attracted by the world of hairdressing and beauty, today I answer the problems you may have.

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