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HOUSEKEEPERS
COUPLES BUTLERS HOUSEHOLD MANAGERS NANNIES LADY'S MAIDS HOUSE MATRONS
Greycoat
Placements Limited E-mail:
info@greycoatplacements.co.uk
Getting a good service from your staffing agency
When looking for domestic staff for your household, the rationale in using an agency is primarily to save you time and to eliminate wasted effort in sifting through inappropriate candidates. If you decide to use an agency, you should ensure that the candidates you will see have been through a suitable filtering process and that they match your main criteria and have been checked regarding their skills and qualities. It is worth bearing in mind that candidates who register with agencies also want security and peace of mind they are often a better calibre of candidate, who want the services of an agency to ensure they are being put forward for bona-fide jobs with good employers.
The REC (The Recruitment and Employment Confederation - the professional body to which reputable agencies belong) suggests a check-list of basic principles when using agencies, which indicates that:
Agencies must require candidates to complete an application form to include the following information:
Before putting a candidate forward to a client, the agency should always:
• Make sure the candidate fully understands the job expectations and other relevant information and gain their prior agreement to be put forward • Properly inform the client about all relevant information regarding the candidate A good agency will point out that a contract of employment must be issued to employees, in particular if the employee is living in accommodation provided by the employer and will advise regarding the information which should be included. Agencies should not offer legal advice, but they should be able to help with sample contracts for your reference. Independent legal advice should be sought to confirm each individual situation. Since 1996 all new employees working 8 hours or more per week are entitled to be given a written statement of the main terms and conditions of their employment within 8 weeks of starting. Check with your agency or the REC for the main conditions that must be included.
A contract should be in writing and signed by both parties. This means ambiguities can be ironed out at the beginning of employment and allows a point of reference for the future. Confidentiality and discretion are key qualities sought in domestic staff, and protecting your privacy whilst staff are in your employ and after they have left is an important issue. It is common to insert confidentiality clauses and restrictive covenants in contracts of employment, such as below:
The Employee shall not (except in the proper course of his / her duties) during or at any time after the Employment, divulge to any person whatever, or otherwise make use of any confidential information concerning the business, finances or private affairs of the Employer, which is not in the public domain.'
To run a household smoothly and efficiently, remember: • You need to delegate yet retain control. • Communicate clearly with your employees and get their full co-operation. • Find the best and most appropriate staff for your needs and lifestyle. • Analyse your expectations and the style of your household - make a comprehensive list of the duties of your staff and how you would like these to be achieved. • Remember to reward and appreciate your staff regular verbal thanks and monetary bonuses where appropriate make for motivated and settled staff.
Multi-tasking is the key word these days and as such, staff are being asked to fulfill an ever increasing variety and combination of duties. A good agency will endeavour to find just the right person for your needs a Nanny/ PA, who as good with the children as with a computer and filing? Or a Housekeeper/ Cook - happy to do the hands-on cleaning, as well as whipping up a stunning soufflé? Whether or not you have employed staff before, you may not be aware of the range of talent available. Here are some of the types of staff available, but bear in mind that any combination is possible!
Daily Cleaner Someone you trust with keys to your home who can use initiative to get on with the household duties unsupervised. If necessary a list of duties to complete on each visit can be left.
Household Manager The head of the household, often with responsibility for multiple properties, who will ensure their smooth running including all staffing, administration and accounts. The role can be coupled with any particular field of expertise ~ it is no longer necessarily linked with the role of Butler .
Butler Butlers can range from the traditional English Butler to the new style of a Lifestyle Manager always ensuring service to the highest of standards for the employers, their guests and family.
Under Butler/Houseman A candidate usually with little experience of service, looking for an opportunity to train under a Head Butler.
Couples Couples come in a variety of combinations from formal Butler & Head Housekeepers to Gardeners & part time Housekeepers ~ their function is to ensure the smooth running of all aspects of a household of any size.
Chauffeur Takes responsibility for driving of a principal, guests, staff and children as required, maintenance and administration of all vehicles, some have security training and many will assist with general office administration or basic household maintenance.
Chef/Cooks Take responsibility for the running of a kitchen, planning menus, shopping and ordering of supplies, together with cooking both day-to-day meals and more elaborate fare for dinner parties.
Take care of the newborn baby or babies, usually working 6 days per week, 24 hours per day, to establish sleeping and feeding routines and providing support for all the family. Bookings range from 2weeks-6months.
Personal Assistant To work for an individual taking care of all social and business matters, organising busy schedules and generally being a right hand person to ensure a smooth running of a busy life.
Housekeeper Takes responsibility for the smooth running of a household, to include domestic cleaning duties, laundry, shopping and basic family meals ~ often to include care of pets.
Nanny/Housekeeper As per above, but with additional childcare duties, supporting of the mother.
Nanny Takes responsibility for the children in their care, either working closely with a Mother (Shared care) or in her absence (Sole charge) Nannies should ensure safety and promote the all round development of children either on a live in or a daily basis. They take care of Nursery duties, ie the upkeep of children's rooms and laundry and the preparation of nutritious meals.
Gardener Takes care of all aspects of the garden on a Sole/Single handed basis, or could be a Head Gardener in charge of other staff if for a very large property or estate. May have specialist areas of expertise, such as organic, tree surgery, topiary etc. Some clients also consider multi-skilled individuals who will combine the role of Maintenance Gardener with that of Driver or Handyman.
Short-Term Placements Short Term can be from 1 day up to 6 months and placements could be anything from a Chef for a dinner party to a holiday Nanny.
If you do decide to use an agency, be sure it is a member of the REC (Recruitment and Employment Confederation), the body that governs recruitment practice. Verify that the agency interviews all candidates and checks their references, and fully apprise yourself of the company's Terms and Conditions, fee structure and guarantee provisions before signing on the dotted line.
Whatever your staffing needs, you'll find that most requirements can be satisfied. Especially if you rely on a reputable agency offering a varied database of talented candidates, you should be able to locate an ideal candidate.
The body governing recruitment practice.
Stafftax is the UK 's leading domestic payroll service, offering unlimited advice and information with comprehensive employment law support.
Useful for checking standards and qualifications of childcare staff.
Greycoat Placements offers a professional, bespoke and confidential service to discerning clients seeking high quality private household staff in London, throughout the UK and internationally. Telephone 020 7233 9950 Email info@greycoatplacements.co.uk or visit www.greycoatplacements.co.uk
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Useful Resource Websites
REC website (The Recruitment & Employment Confederation) Inland Revenue New Employer Helpline 0845 6070143 for a starter pack For information on Tax issues and the Nanny Approval Scheme contact Stafftax Tel 0845 226 2203 Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Criminal Records Bureau
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