The right Domestic Staff can transform the way a household operates, but there are many pitfalls during the hiring process that can cause more stress, misunderstandings, and higher costs than intended. We reveal common hiring mistakes and how to avoid them so that you can get the right staff.

Not Having a Clear Idea of What You Require

Lack of clarity about what you seek in a household employee is definitely something to avoid when hiring, as this can cause all sorts of difficulties for everyone involved.

To avoid this, invest some time into important specifics, such as your household dynamics, what you cannot go without, and what can be negotiated. Also, consider listing specific responsibilities to get further clarity on the role you need to fill.

Underestimating the Costs of Domestic Staff

Not understanding the realistic costs of Household Staff, and therefore underestimating those costs is a common mistake of many employers. The reality is that experienced staff command wages commensurate with their experience.

Seek guidance from professional Domestic Staffing Agencies and ensure that your budget allows for the right amount of compensation before you begin the hiring process.

Not Looking Beyond the Resume

When assessing candidates, it is important to consider soft skills and other attributes that may not appear on their resume. Many times, a candidate’s resume may not appear to be as complete as you would like it to be, but their personality may be a perfect match to your own. It is also a good idea to see how they fit in person before making a final decision.

Neglecting to Conduct a Comprehensive Background Check

No matter how qualified an individual may be, they must be thoroughly vetted prior to being hired. Otherwise, you are taking a significant risk bringing them into your home. You can avoid this by ensuring you have conducted vital checks including reference verification, a social security and sex offender trace, and criminal background and motor vehicle investigations.

Not Providing an Offer of Employment Letter

In order to ensure that you have hired a domestic employee legally, you must provide them with an official offer of employment letter. This letter should include details about the responsibilities of their role, as well as when and how they will be compensated and information surrounding benefits and schedule.

This offer letter should be read through and signed by the employee to confirm their understanding of their role.

Not Providing an Employee Manual

Whether you employ a few or many staff members, an employee manual is a wonderful item to offer. Taking the time to create an employee manual can save you hours of time later, because this item contains all the information staff need regarding the operation of your household.

To make the process easier, we offer a comprehensive guide to help you create an effective employee handbook tailored to your needs. Without a manual or handbook, employees have nothing to guide them if you are not there, and the likelihood of errors can increase significantly.

Relying on One Source

If you wish to have several qualified candidates to choose from, it will be important to not rely on just a single source of candidates. The best way to access multiple candidates from multiple sources is to work with an experienced Domestic Staff Agency. Typically, agencies have multiple connections from which candidates can be sourced.

Not Requiring a Trial Period

To ensure that a candidate is the perfect fit, it is important to consider leaving room and time for a brief trial period. The trial period should be structured as a typical day; provide clear instructions and look for issues such as problems with other staff members and punctuality.

Not Communicating

Every working relationship requires good communication to thrive. From the moment you fill your household staff position, ensure they know that you are willing and able to answer their questions. It is also a good idea to provide them with a household manager or chief of staff they can speak with if you are not available.

Not Conducting Performance Reviews

Not giving employees a clear idea of how they are doing can quickly lead to a lack of direction. Avoid this by conducting performance reviews every six months to a year and offering bonuses or increases in salary for employees who are performing well daily.

Are You Ready to Hire Household Staff?

If you need top-quality domestic employees, Staffing at Tiffanie’s is ready to assist you. With over 26 years of experience, we use a unique perspective to source household employees who match your needs, personality, and household dynamic. Visit us to learn more.