Avoiding Legal Problems When Managing a Household Staff

Read this over the weekend in the NYT and thought I would share it.

HOUSEKEEPERS have been in the news lately. Look no further than former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, who recently admitted that he had a child more than 10 years ago with his former housekeeper.

But this column is for the other people who employ household help — housekeepers, nannies, chefs, butlers and estate managers. Their problems are more about being compliant with employment and tax laws and ensuring low turnover.

“There is no rocket science in our business,” said Travis Dommert, chief operating officer of the Lindquist Group, one of the oldest placement firms for household help in the country. “It’s about how you hire, manage and retain good people and not get sued in the process.”

Yet otherwise smart, wealthy people seem to have a harder time managing their household employees than the people they work with in their day jobs. Here are some tips for people planning to hire household help…Read entire story here

Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency

NYS Set to Pass New Law Offering Certain Protections to Nannies & Other Domestic Workers

New York Expected to Give Protections to Nannies

The NYS State Senate this week passed a bill that would require paid holidays, sick days and vacation days for domestic workers, along with overtime wages. It would require 14 days’ notice, or termination pay, before firing a domestic worker.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/03/nyregion/03nanny.html?pagewanted=1&hp

Wee Care Nanny has long encouraged our clients to offer these workplace guarantees to their nannies, housekeepers and other domestic workers. In fact, we strongly advise and help clients put together a Family/Nanny Worker Agreement that covers the particulars of each job, responsibilities, salary, vacation time, sick days, overtime and notice of termination. This helps to ensure there is no ambiguity going forward which could lead to misunderstandings, resentment, poor job performance, absenteeism and resignation or termination. Moreover, we have found that such measures are in both parties best interests for several reasons:

  • It reduces turnover significantly and helps to retain experienced and professional caregivers and other domestics.
  • It makes for a better employer/employee relationship-and the dividends get passed onto the children in the form of unconditional love and care.
  • If you treat someone like a professional they are more apt to act professionally and really engage, motivate and help educate their charges.
  • It’s simply the right thing to do for a person you entrust to care for your most valuable and irreplaceable “possessions“.

    Fortunately, most of our clients already understand the importance of offering basic workplace guarantees and reap the benefits such protections help to ensure for their loved ones.

    Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency