For many households around the country, domestic staff become a core part of their home. They truly aren’t just employees but instead they become trusted members of the household who help keep the home comfortable and running smoothly.
Whether it’s a live-in nanny, full-time housekeeper, private chef, estate manager, personal assistant, or a combination of experienced staff, these individuals often work with families for many years – or even decades. This allows for a meaningful bond to form.
Thoughtful estate planning should include the people that make a house a home. That’s why many families choose to integrate domestic staff into their long-term estate planning.
This is a generous way to demonstrate your appreciation and shows your staff that you respect them and their wellbeing – not just now, but well into the future.
Taking Care of Staff Now
Crafting a Work Agreement
Work agreements are not just a ‘nice-to-have’ in the domestic staffing industry. They instead should serve as a key component of your staff’s work with you.
A contract not only outlines the basics of their role, including their compensation, pay schedule, and benefits – but also other important details like long-term compensation structures, retention bonuses linked to years of service, severance provisions, and transition plans if the home’s structure changes.
It’s important to have a well-structured work agreement drafted and signed at the time of your employees’ onboarding. If things need to be adjusted or modified down the road, have a clear conversation with them so they know what’s in place.
Offering Retirement
Many household employees are deeply passionate about their careers. They aren’t just “jobs”, but reflect who they are as people and what they love most.
While financial stability is important, domestic staff also often become deeply invested in the families that they work with. That’s why many household employers incorporate retirement packages for their staff.
This is evidenced by providing employer-sponsored retirement contributions, long-term bonuses, or deferred compensation plans. By offering this type of benefit, the employees who dedicate years of loyal service have a secure pathway to retirement.
Estate Plans
Some families may choose to provide a one-time financial gift in their estate planning efforts, ongoing housing assistance or funds to find housing amid family transitions, education funding for employees or their children, or guaranteed continued employment under the next generation of family headship.
When meeting with an estate attorney, household employers may want to discuss these types of inclusions, to ensure everything is within compliance legally and for tax purposes.
Leaving A Legacy
Thoughtful planning for your future doesn’t just mean thinking about your valuables and assets. While those things are important, the people in your home are the highest priority, and your domestic staff are part of what makes everything run smoothly.
To leave a strong legacy, taking care of the people in your life – especially your staff – is key. This starts with showing respect and care from day one and being intentional in building a strong professional relationship.
This instills a sense of loyalty in each of your in-home staff members and ultimately, that satisfaction can translate to greater job satisfaction and many years of loyalty.
By integrating your domestic staff into your long-term estate plans goes beyond financial arrangements. It reflects your commitment to respect, integrity, and properly recognizing the people that help make your house a warm and welcoming place to be.
