When hiring a household employee, follow these guidelines to ensure that you bring on board the best employees to work in your home, allowing you a more manageable balance between life and work.
- Create a detailed job description that identifies required knowledge, skills, and experience.
- Calculate the available compensation, including pay and benefits.
- Practice conducting effective interviews.
- Be sure to explicitly state in the job description where, when, and to whom application materials should be sent.
- Contact and interview top candidates’ references.
- Obtain and file a signed release from the job applicant to complete background checks, then conduct them.
- If you’re working with a placement agency, contact the agency to determine if additional actions need to be completed prior to a hiring decision.
- Decide on the best applicant and present the offer letter.
- Schedule another meeting with the applicant to address any outstanding issues and finalize the hiring process (i.e., start date, work hours, etc.) with a nanny contract or work agreement.
- Be aware of and abide by all federal, state, and local employment and labor laws.
- Keep all new hire paperwork with the employee’s file.
Top Five Household Employee Hiring Tips
- Use a job description to communicate the essential job functions and expectations.
- Require candidates to complete and sign an employment application instead of using only the applicant’s resume.
- Avoid asking illegal interview questions and focus on those based on successful behaviors.
- Follow up with an offer letter noting a “respond to offer” date, hire date, compensation, and any preconditions to employment.
- Conduct reference and relevant background checks to assess the candidate’s integrity.
For information on how to pay your household employee the right way, download The Complete Guide to Household Payroll.
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