Questions and topics that relate to all categories of household staff

 

The questions and topics set out below are meant as a guideline both to prospective employers and candidates seeking work in private service. They are representative of questions and issues that should be included and discussed in the interview process of a candidate and when preparing a contract of employment. They can be used both to help in preparing an interview and to help candidates prepare themselves for an upcoming interview.

The questions one should ask at interview should not be based only on the examples used below as each home will have it's own set of needs and requirements and so when preparing to interview domestic staff for your household, please take your individual requirements into account.

Whilst many of the questions below are applicable to many different categories of household staff, included under each section are points to consider that will only be applicable to employing a housekeeper/butler/chauffeur/etc/etc. Browse each separate category of household staff to find points to consider that pertain to those specific categories of domestic staff.

The hours of work that a housekeeper will be required to keep will be discussed at interview and these must also be kept fair and within legal requirements.

The days of the year that a housekeeper will be required to work should be discussed and this should include the candidate's holiday entitlement each year and whether or not they will be required to work on public holidays or on weekends. Some households will require that a housekeeper take their time off when the principal is away from the property.

Will the housekeeper be employed on a live in or live out basis? If they are required to live in, what accommodation will be provided and will the utility or other bills be covered by the employer?

Issues relating to salary should be covered with the candidate at interview. The employer will need to make clear whether the salary quoted is gross or net of tax and national insurance. Any employer of full time staff in the United Kingdom is usually required to pay the candidates tax and national insurance on their behalf as part of a PAYE (pay as you earn) scheme.

Will the housekeeper be required to where a uniform at work?

In order to work in a private household many candidates will be required to submit an application for a CRB check. Marshall Harber is able to process these applications on the candidates behalf. Not all households find it necessary for a candidate to submit a CRB check, but we recommend that all candidates obtain one anyway.

Specific topics to take into consideration for individual categories

Housekeeper

• Will the housekeeper be responsible for doing laundry in the household? If so, are there any specific requirements necessary, such as knowledge of caring for couture clothing?
• Will the housekeeper be required to babysit in the evenings and will they be paid extra for this service?
• Are there any cooking skills that are required of the housekeeper and will this be to dinner party standard or simple family cooking?
• Housekeepers may be required to run errands for a household or collect the children from school; in this case, would a car be provided?
• The housekeeper may be required to stay at the property while the principal is away from home. If this is the case, details regarding how often this is expected to happen should be made clear.
• Are there any other staff employed in the household that the housekeeper will report to? This could be in the form of a Butler or House Manager overseeing the affairs of the household.

 

Butler

A Butler's role can vary from household to household. Will any special skills be required in order to fulfil his role? These could include having knowledge of fine wines and cigars or having been trained in Silver Service. A Butler may also be required to serve at formal functions.

• Will the Butler require any cooking skills and if so, to what level?
• Will the Butler be required to carry out any chauffeur duties and will they include school runs or running errands?
• Will the Butler be responsible for any stock control within the household?
• Is the Butler required to travel with the principal and accordingly are travel expenses covered by the employer? One should also consider whether or not the candidate will be spending extended periods of time away from home.
• Will the Butler be responsible for the hiring or dismissing any staff within the household?

 

Chauffeur

Chauffeurs may be required to have experience in close protection depending on the client. This should be taken into consideration when interviewing potential candidates.

• Would the chauffeur be required to hold an advanced or evasive driving qualification?
• The type of vehicles that the chauffeur will be required to drive should be taken into consideration. From time to time a chauffeur may be expected to deliver a vehicle from one place to another. If this to be part of the job description are there any vehicles that are of a special nature or high value and would the candidate be required to have previous experience of driving such vehicles?
• In some instances a chauffeur will be expected to care for a fleet of vehicles. Will any mechanical knowledge be required and would the chauffeur be required to carry out basic maintenance on the cars?
• Will there be school runs involved in the daily routine of the chauffeur?
• Will the chauffeur be expected to move around with the family to different countries and hence would they need experience in driving abroad and driving both left and right hand drive vehicles?
• Will the role involve driving in busy city traffic such as that found in central London and is the candidate required to have previous experience negotiating such situations?

 

House Manager

The role of House Manager encompasses many different roles and the candidate will more than likely be expected to have a working knowledge of every aspect of running the household. Taking this into consideration what other members of staff do you currently employ in the household and make sure that the candidate is clear as to who and what they will be responsible for.

• Will the House Manager be responsible for the smooth running of more than one household or property? In turn are the properties based in different countries and will the role therefore entail travel?
• Will the House Manager be the person for stock control within the household?
• The employer will need to consider if they need the House Manager to take care of the households accounts.
• Some households will entertain regularly or host various functions, will the House Manager be responsible for organising such functions and how large are the functions expected to be.
• Will the House Manager be responsible for the hiring and dismissal of other staff employed in the household?
• Will there be any diary management duties and will the candidate be expected to make travel arrangements on behalf of the family?

Nannies

• Will the position be sole charge, or will the nanny share the duties of care with one of the parents?
• Are any special qualifications for childcare necessary such as NNEB, NVQ or Montessori training or will a good background with similar experience be adequate?
• Will the nanny be required to hold a valid First Aid certification?
• Nannies will not normally be required to take on any housekeeping/cooking duties for the family, but they may be responsible for cooking and cleaning up after the children. Take into consideration whether these duties will be required and if so, would any special dietary requirements need to be followed.
• Discuss whether or not the nanny is responsible for planning the children's daily and social activities.
• Would the nanny be driving the children around and if so would the use of a car be provided. Make sure to check that the candidate has a valid driving license and check their level of confidence driving.
• With regards to looking after older children, will the nanny feel comfortable helping them with homework assignments?
• You should take the age of your children into consideration, older children may benefit from a nanny that is able to horse ride and has an interest in sporting activities. Ask a nanny what their interests and hobbies may be as these could be relevant to when it comes to the time they will spend with the children.

Personal Assistants

Consider if the role will be primarily as a private PA or if the position will be more office-based. Some candidates are better suited to more corporate environments based on their previous experience.

• Will the PA be responsible for diary management for the principal?
• If the position is for Personal Assistant in a private household, will the position involve any degree of house management or the overseeing of other staff employed in the household.
• Will the position require the PA to recruit new staff and if so will they be responsible for the interviewing process?
• Will the PA be responsible for budgets, either household or corporate?
• Personal Assistants may be required to make travel arrangements for the principal. Consider this requirement when interviewing and check to see that they have had experience with preparing travel itinerary's and booking accommodation.
• A personal assistant may be required to oversee arrangements for corporate or private entertainment. Consider whether this will form part of the duties that are required of them.
• Verify the typing speed of a candidate as this may be relevant if they are required to take notes or meeting minutes or if you want to dictate letters to the PA.

Ladies Maid

• When employing a ladies maid, the type of wardrobe that they will be responsible for will be relevant and should be discussed at interview. Are there any special clothes or Couture clothing that the candidate will need knowledge of?
• A ladies maid may be required to shop for clothing on behalf of the client. Make sure that the candidate has this sort of experience if this is to be part of their job description.
• Check to see what experience the ladies maid has of cataloguing clothing. Some candidates will use their own computerized cataloguing system. Discuss their processes with them at interview to ascertain whether or not they will be able to handle your individual requirements.
• Will the candidate be required to pack and unpack suitcases for travel?
• If the role involves travel, discuss these requirements with the ladies maid at interview to find out if they will be able to meet the requirements of the position.
• Some ladies maids will have knowledge of providing various spa and beauty treatments. If this is something that will be required discuss the details of these treatments and ascertain what kind of experience or training the candidate has received.
• When travelling to foreign destinations, a ladies maid may be required to have prior knowledge of various local customs or traditions to ensure that the principal is always turned out correctly. Discuss whether or not this will be relevant to the role at interview.