Clients usually have reasonable expectations. Certainly they are not there for the sole purpose of giving away money. They are thinking about themselves: their comfort, their health, their need to relax. Some think the therapist is there for that purpose foremost. That is what is on their mind. Massage and bodywork, by nature, is a caring profession. The client naturally anticipates the therapist has their best interests at heart. Having the client on the table and trying to up-sell them a product may be exploiting this trust unless the therapist can clearly identify that the client would benefit. In this situation, the therapist should strive not to make the client uncomfortable. The therapist might suggest the client consider the proposed product or service next time. The fact that the suggestion is completely optional should be stressed. The client is probably present for many reasons, but none of which is to perform as a sales prospect.

The therapist has agreements, whether written or implied, with co-workers as well as clients and the same care applies. Gossiping, repeating something told in confidence or disparaging of co-workers undermines the atmosphere of the workplace, causing tension, cattiness and hurt feelings. Being constantly tardy or absent means someone has to be there in the absent therapist's place. This is unfair to the co-workers.

The employer may have agreements with the therapist. This may include a compact that clients acquired through the business may not be re-directed by the therapist if the therapist moves. There are three concerns with violating such a proscription. First, there is the ethical dimension. Second, the industry is a small community and doing so may gain a reputation that would jeopardize future employment opportunities. Third, the employer might sue the therapist. Therapists who sneak clients away from the work place have about a 95% chance the employer will hear about it. While the employer may not fire the therapist (immediately), word is soon spread, damaging the therapist's reputation and opportunities for being hired by another employer.

For example, it is not uncommon for a business owner to call around to other clinics when reviewing an applicant to see if any one has heard of the applicant. In a few short calls, the business owner knows the applicant's reputation. The therapist might be surprised how little things the therapist thought were unnoticed actually made a big impression. In a major urban county, it takes the author a maximum of three phone calls to find out about an applicant who has worked in the county.

On the other hand, having a reputation of getting along with co-workers, treating them fairly, avoiding harmful gossip and being honest will attract employers, who will even attempt to entice the therapist away from present employment. Former co-workers will influence their present employers to do the same.