Ponsonby Beauty Clinic Staff Left Jobless After Sudden Closure

Staff at the Ponsonby branch of Laser Clinics New Zealand are facing financial uncertainty after the clinic abruptly ceased operations on August 16, 2023. The sudden closure resulted from a franchise dispute, leaving employees in a precarious situation without their expected income.

On that Saturday morning, Behnoosh Bahmanpour, who had served as the clinic manager since 2022, arrived for her shift only to discover that she could not access the clinic’s computer systems. Distressed and confused, she attempted to reach her employer, franchisee Gordon Frykberg. After failing to get a response, she called Michelle Taylor, general manager of Laser Clinics New Zealand. Taylor informed Bahmanpour that the clinic had closed and instructed her to leave immediately, leaving Bahmanpour and her colleagues shocked.

The closure was particularly disheartening for Bahmanpour, as she was navigating a second battle with cancer at the time. The clinic employed four staff members, all of whom had been informed that while the franchise agreement would terminate on August 31, they were not expecting such an abrupt end to their employment. Frykberg had initially communicated plans for the closure verbally to Bahmanpour in late April, but the rest of the team only learned about it during a dinner gathering a month later.

While employees were given some notice regarding the franchise agreement’s termination, the lack of communication and sudden closure raised significant concerns. Many employees are now left uncertain about their wages and future employment opportunities.

The franchise dispute that led to the closure appears to have originated from internal disagreements, but the full details remain unclear. Employees have expressed frustration over the lack of clarity and support during this challenging time. The abrupt decision has not only affected their livelihoods but has also raised questions about the stability of franchise operations within the beauty sector in New Zealand.

As the situation develops, affected staff are seeking clarity on their entitlements and potential compensation following the clinic’s unexpected closure. The fallout from this incident is likely to prompt a broader discussion on franchise governance and employee rights in similar business models.