Household Employer Personnel Practices

The household employment industry is working to establish a professional structure around a very informal situation. The perception of the household occupation and the role within the home is often different for employers and employees. Many employers view hiring a nanny or other staff for their home as a personal responsibility, whereas household employees see it as employment. Even though the employment is not in an office or a retail setting, it is a worksite where employment laws prevail. But for the employer, it also is a home and a sanctuary. It will take some effort for a household employer to view his or her home as another’s workplace. Following household employer personnel practices is a good way to achieve this.

Clear communications, respectful treatment, openness to discussion, and adaptability should be what everyone in the household works toward to maintain a satisfying workplace. Like any employer, household employers must establish fair personnel practices and policies, and apply them equally to all staff. Employees must understand that an employer needs to be a manager, which includes establishing initial goals, communicating the philosophy of the home, and fostering household culture, as well as supervising the nanny or other household employees.

Download GTM’s “Personnel Practices Checklist” to ensure that as an employer, you are providing accurate and important information to your employees that will create a mutually beneficial relationship.