By Tom Ineichen, CARII President, CSLEA Unit B Vice President
On August 8, 2024, Tom Ineichen, president of the California Association of Regulatory Investigators and Inspectors (CARII), along with California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) Senior Legal Counsel Jim Vitko, held an important and long overdue meeting with the inspectors of the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (BBC). Assisting in the meeting and leading the call to the issues at hand, were our two BBC Site Representatives Bryan Stranahan and Michelle Mendoza. At the heart of this meeting was the urgent discussion surrounding inspector safety, lack of management support, and training—issues that have risen to the forefront of regulatory inspections in an increasingly challenging environment.
Key Concerns Raised
As inspectors shared their disturbing experiences, the gravity of the situation became apparent. The safety of inspectors has emerged as a primary concern, with reports of harassment, assaults, and even instances of being locked in rooms against their will by licensees. The atmosphere in certain establishments has proven to be unsafe or dangerous in some circumstances, leaving inspectors not only to question their safety but also to work in a fearful environment while performing their duties and in some cases needing to call 911.
“I was quite surprised at the apparent lack of seriousness with which management appears to treat these concerns,” said Ineichen. “The fact that management does not seem to take these concerns seriously, highlights a disconnect between those on the frontlines and the leadership responsible for their welfare.”
Training Deficiencies
Another striking takeaway from the meeting was learning of the turnover in experience levels of the inspectors. Several inspectors present were relatively new, with less than a year or a few years under their belts, contrasting sharply with the seasoned inspectors of the past who often had a wealth of experience—some exceeding 25 years. This influx of less experienced inspectors raises concerns about the effectiveness of their training, and the turnover or recruitment and retention of the inspectors.
The discussion of the state of training itself was unsettling. While mandatory training on HR-related issues such as sexual harassment, discrimination and D.E.I. is provided regularly and immediately, there is a glaring absence of field-specific training. Inspectors lamented the lack of formal instruction on how to navigate hostile environments, deal with unlicensed operators, and manage compliance challenges. The narrative unfolded of inspectors relying heavily on their colleagues for guidance, many of whom are also grappling with their learning curves.
Evolving Workload and Challenges
Diving deeper into the evolving role of inspectors, it was apparent that there has been a noted shift in focus. Inspections are now increasingly directed toward establishments with complaints or unlicensed activities, a stark contrast to the minimal numbers of these types of inspections in previous years. As a result, repeated inspections have become common, raising the stakes for inspectors working in potentially hazardous conditions.
While many establishments may appear to the public or patrons as ordinary and harmless, inspectors shared stories of encounters with establishments that had drugs and alcohol readily in use, unscrupulous situations, massage parlors and locked rooms providing unknown services, hostile owners or employees and situations with heightened risks associated with their inspections. This alarming trend underscores the need for increased support and strategic adjustments to ensure the safety and effectiveness of all inspectors.
In conclusion, the meeting served as a wake-up call, illuminating significant challenges faced by inspectors of the BBC. As CARII and CSLEA, in conjunction with the inspectors, seek to motivate management to take actionable steps toward improving safety, training, and a concerted responsiveness, the commitment to the well-being of inspectors remains crystal clear. We are seeking to implement changes and an urgency of addressing these pressing concerns with the hope for better regulatory inspections that will promise a safer workplace and empowered inspectors ready to uphold the standards of the industry with confidence and support.
