A survey of UK-based employees within the fields of spa, beauty and integrated health has revealed that more than 78 per cent of respondents earn less than the UK wage average.

The survey took place between October 2007 and January 2008 and had 33,345 respondents.

The Leisure Database Company and Institute of Sport and Recreation Management supported the development of the survey along with the steering group that included Nigel Wallace, event director of SPATEC.

Respondents were questioned on their satisfaction levels. They were asked to respond to 100 statements using a scale ranging from strong agreement to strong disagreement.

Workers in beauty salons, combined hair and beauty salons, health and leisure centres and spas, as well as suppliers, were asked questions covering eight categories: company, job, personal development, health and safety, salary, team, their manager and happiness/motivation.

A total of 78 per cent of respondents earned less than the UK average while 87 per cent earn less than £25,000 (31,742 euro, US$49,973) per annum. Only 12 per cent of those surveyed had been in the same job for five years or more.

Four Olive Award winners – also part of the survey – were announced. The Best Overall Employer winner and Best Large Company award was Six Senses Spas. The Best Medium Company was Dove Spa in Bromley, Kent, and the Independent Mind Body Soul, an Aveda concept hair and beauty salon in Balham, London, won the small company award.