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What separates a hobby Santa from one that does this as a business...
Posted by Santa Gordon,
08 December 2011
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119 views
To perform in any corporate setting such as a Mall or any retail business, there is now a demand for insurance by the business you will be performing in/at. If you work for a photo company you will have to provide a background check as well. It is the way they do business and is in no way a comment upon you personally.
Like your suit and boots, these two pieces of paper are part of what you need to have to perform as Santa in those environments. Depending on the company, you may have to provide them as you are an independent contractor dealing directly with the business OR the photo company covers the expense for you with their coverage and does the background check as well. In this case these are only valid for working while employed by that company.
There was a time, 30 years ago, when you did not need these forms to perform as Santa but because of problems with child molesters, folks suing the business or mall because Santa did something inappropriate, and the possibility for injuries while handling small children insurance is now demanded of those of us that want to perform in this arena. Don't want to take that step up into the mall or department store Santa leagues? You can still manage to get nice work doing private party work but if anything happens to dissatisfy the customer or one of the guests, you can still find yourself sued. Insurance relieves you of that worry.
There is far more to being Santa than answering the "call" and putting on the Red Suit when you enter the professional world of Santa. Even doing things for charitable events requires insurance and background checks these days. The two pieces of paper last for a year and then have to be renewed again to remain in force. Just like auto insurance and registration.
Along with this there are many other things that while not demanded for performing, should be looked at and considered as part of what you need to do every year to perform as Santa not only to protect the customer but to protect yourself as well just as insurance does.
Yours,
Santa Gordon
