Personnel Practices for Household Employers

While household employment is highly customizable, it is often mistakenly handled as an informal work situation. In fact, as a household employer, it is a professional endeavor requiring formal personnel practices and policies. Follow these personnel practices to ensure that as a household employer, you are creating a mutually beneficial relationship with your employee.

• Write and update employee job descriptions.
• Establish household policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain a household employee handbook detailing all policies, work schedules, performance reviews, dismissal, severance, and references.
• Include an at-will statement with your household employee handbook.
• Provide an orientation during the first few days of employment with on-the-job training for your employee.
• Establish a performance review schedule for the first year and keep to it.
• Ensure your employee has all the necessary forms and releases they may need to perform their job (e.g. medical release form, expense report form).
• Inform your schools, neighbors, doctor’s office, special needs staff, and other relevant people and services about your employee’s start date.

We are here to help with your personnel practices. Feel free to call us at (800) 929-9213 or email [email protected] with your questions about personnel practices, policies, procedures, and more.

Also, download The Complete Guide to Household Payroll. It will help you every step of the way and explain everything you need to do to pay your nanny the right way and properly withhold and remit taxes. There is even a handy checklist and payroll calendar at the end of the guide to use as references.