What Would You Do: Not Getting Credit For Your Work
When it comes to a collab, it’s an unspoken rule that all involved should be credited on any and all social media posts. But what if your partner consistently takes credit for your skills, no matter how many times you call her out on it? One member of the #btcfam is dealing with this exact situation, and isn’t sure what more she can do. So we posed the question to the BTC community for some advice—see what they had to say!
“I work in a departmentalized salon as a colorist. One of the stylists has been taking pictures of OUR (meaning I do the color, she does cut and style) work and posts them without giving me any credit. She also includes hashtags concerning the color, and she does cutting and styling in another salon. I confronted her about this and she refused to acknowledge the problem and ended up insulting me. Am I being overly sensitive or is this situation screwed up?”
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Be Proactive And Credit Yourself
“Heck. No. That’s false advertising on her part! Definitely start taking your own pictures and credit her for the cut so that maybe she’ll see/feel why it matters. I personally try to kill everything with kindness first. You might have to be a little more assertive with her.” – @tiffanymhair
“Hashtag yourself in the comments. People will notice and she’ll have to pick up the slack. Or you can be politely aggressive about it by making comments like, ‘We do great work together, don’t we! Loved the shape you chose for the color technique I used.’” – Marina Sheppard
“You are 100 percent right. I’d screenshot the images and post them on your own Instagram page. I’d also comment on all her photos which you have done the color to make her followers aware. But don’t be nasty. Just comment things like, ‘Loved seeing the finished result by you after doing the color transformation!’ She’ll soon realize you’re not going to back down.” – @milliemaydaviesxo
“Go on her social media and credit the color yourself. It is plagiarism to an extent! It is illegal if she is benefiting monetarily from your work by posing as if it’s hers. Perhaps if you let her know that she could get sued, she’ll stop.” – Kari Wilson
“You need to start taking pictures yourself and posting them, making sure you’re giving yourself the credit. I would try to talk to her again telling her that you are going to start posting pictures of your work and you would appreciate it if she would start giving you the credit. If she doesn’t, I would honestly start to report those pictures on Instagram. If she wants to be sour you can too.” – @accordingtomyhairdresser
“Take your own photos, and put them up on the salons page with your credits. Then tag her! Let the owner know what she is doing and suggest she work at her other salon since she is not the professional team player your salon needs.” – Lisa Lichacz Dawson Marshall
“I would do as others mentioned and take pictures yourself. Don’t spend energy worrying about her taking credit for your work. When clients do go to her, it will quickly become apparent that she cannot color hair like the photos she is posting. Unfortunately, the internet does not recognize copyrights or protections unless it’s a trademarked logo or name.” – @jasonjamiel
Don’t Hesitate To Get Management Involved
“Bring it to the attention of management! It’s absolutely screwed up to not be giving you credit for your work, and since you’ve already called it to her attention and she did nothing to remedy it, it’s time to go to a higher up.” – Cassandra Leann Straw
“I’ve never tried but can’t you delete comments on your own post? If so, tagging yourself won’t help…I think the only option you have is to go to management. If management doesn’t work then go above that. If that doesn’t work, I would think about getting your clients and cards and going elsewhere because that should NOT be happening. If management can’t see that, I wouldn’t want to work there!” – Andrea Hawk
“Talk to management and have her sign an agreement to tag you and mention you in all photos concerning colors that you did. Then you’ll have that connection in the photo. I’m assuming you work at a great salon where management would not want to confuse a potential client with work that is not represented by the person posting the photo.” – @megandiezsalon
“You could sue for false representation, but I’d get a manager involved first before sending a cease and desist letter.” – @polarisdnw
“If she isn’t crediting your work, she shouldn’t post it at all. Bring it up to management and make sure she’s called out for that and any other infractions. It seems like she’s the type to get away with everything and anything—especially if she’s working at two salons at once.” – Caitlin Sharkey
“What she is doing is wrong. This needs to be clarified at a higher level as I’m sure she is doing it to everyone at work. Ask for the company social media policy, and if you don’t have one create one. Clear lines of do’s and don’ts in relation to social media is critical in establishing a positive and productive work place.” – @charliandkate
“She must have some self-esteem issues. Talk to your manager or salon owner. I wouldn’t do any more services with her until she handles herself in a more professional way. Clearly she knows your amazing so don’t lose yourself or your value dealing with such childish behavior.” – Myia Vertigan
“You are completely 110 percent allowed to feel angry! She has no right to do that. I would immediately stop collaborating or letting her take pictures and tell management. If it doesn’t get resolved, I would start looking at other places to work. Know your worth!” – @thecampbellstylist
It’s Not Right, But Ultimately It’s Her Page
“It’s screwed up but if it’s her Instagram page, you really can’t force her. I would work toward doing your own work—it’s hard to share equally.” – @dreycolehairstudio
“That’s so wrong in my opinion, but it is their page and they have the right to tag or not tag the other stylist. But it’s a generous preference to want to help build your co-worker’s craft and share the credit of a collaboration.” – @lrstyles
“It’s screwed up period, but take your own photos as well—problem solved. She’s building her brand as you should do the same.” – Jennifer Turner
“Who cares? Don’t worry, the truth is in her work. Keep doing your best work and you will come out winning the same.” – Ornella Femia Centofanti
“If your work is really good then don’t worry about it. She can’t do the work like you can, and when people or clients ask her for something you did it won’t look the same. Tagging yourself on the picture is only an ego boost, so just keep doing your best and she’ll never be able to be you.” – @360_hair_u
