Household Employment Blog
Understanding What it Means to be a Household Employer
Minnesota Minimum Wage Increase
The Minnesota minimum wage increase takes effect tomorrow, August 1, 2014. This is the first of several planned increases over the next two years. For large employers (businesses with $500,000 or more in gross annual sales) the minimum wage will increase to $8.00 an...
Nanny Policies: Discipline and Severance
Two nanny policies that commonly arise during the employment relationship are that of disciplining an employee, and whether or not to provide severance pay should a nanny quit or be terminated. While household employment is largely at-will employment in most states,...
Penalties for Violating Wage and Hour Laws
Ensuring fair compensation is one of the keys to retaining a nanny or other household employee. To combat the double threat of an employee feeling underpaid or being pursued by another family, employers must make sure that their employees are paid for all hours...
Work Agreement Benefits
A work agreement benefits both the employer and nanny; it helps establish clear standards, rules, and procedures for the household and for the job. From listing the hours the nanny is expected to work and what his or her salary is, to explaining what a nanny must do...
Arranging Senior Care for a Family Member
The responsibility of finding outside care for an elderly parent or disabled loved one is not an easy task, but careful planning and consultations with specialists can ease the situation. The first step is to answer three basic questions: What level of senior care...
Hiring a Foreign Nanny or Other Employee
Since nearly one-quarter of the household industry’s employees are noncitizens, immigration is a very real consideration for hiring household help. Hiring a foreign nanny (or other household employee) is a complex process that involves a number of government...
Recordkeeping Requirements for Employers
According to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employers – including household employers - are required to keep records on wages, hours, and other items as specified by DOL recordkeeping regulations. No particular form is required, but certain identifying...
July 1st Minimum Wage Increases
On July 1st, 2014, one week from today, two minimum wage increases will take effect: California - the minimum wage will rise from $8 to $9 per hour for all employees, with some exceptions. All employers in California must adhere to the new state law; this includes...
Household Emergency Plan
It is important for families to prepare for natural disasters and other types of emergencies by having a plan in place for everyone to follow. Below are steps to creating a household emergency plan provided by the State of New York: Meet with your family members and...
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