Building your team of trusted household staff takes time. So, when one of your valued employees gives notice, it can create uncertainty.
Whether it’s an experienced housekeeper, a beloved nanny who has become part of your children’s lives, a detail-oriented estate manager, a long-term personal assistant, or another essential domestic staff member, their transition out of your home can impact your household operations.
Keep reading for practical tips on navigating the notice period and preparing your household for a successful transition.
When Your Employee Gives Notice
Respond with Grace and Professionalism
The decision to leave a job is not always easy. In fact, your employee may have spent a long time considering their options.
So, meeting them with understanding is key, even if their departure seems surprising or causes you stress. Be sure to thank them for their professionalism in providing notice and avoid reacting emotionally.
Acknowledge their decision and express your gratitude and appreciation for their service and valuable contributions to your home.
Maintaining professionalism helps preserve a respectful working relationship, lets the employee know that you care and that you are willing to remain engaged throughout their final days of employment.
Cover the Details
Confirm your employee’s last day of work in writing, then review the details of your work agreement. Make sure to discuss notice requirements or accumulated vacation or PTO days.
In addition, cover details about their final paycheck or benefits continuation. Discussing expectations helps prevent misunderstandings later and can make the transition smoother.
Document Duties
Work with your employee to develop a transition plan, if possible. Consider having them document their daily routines and schedules, specific activities or appointments they oversee while on duty, special preferences or instructions, and any other household systems and procedures that they’re familiar with.
This information can help when you onboard a new employee. Some household employers may also ask their current employee to overlap with their replacement, which can allow the new hire to learn household routines, receive hands-on and practical training, and become more familiar with systems and expectations confidently.
Keep Confidentiality Central
Many domestic employees are privy to sensitive personal information. So, be sure to review what details they have access to including household security protocols/procedures, financial information, alarm codes or online access credentials, family schedules, or personal contact information.
Collect all keys, access cards, devices, or any other property before the employee’s last day, then consider changing passwords or locks, if needed.
Express Gratitude
Having a team of trusted in-home staff is an investment of time and effort and providing a thoughtful goodbye and ‘thank you’ shows that you respect them. Consider writing a letter of recommendation or support, providing a reference when needed, or giving them a final farewell gift or bonus.
Maintaining a positive relationship from the employee’s first day to their final day with you will benefit both you and your staff.
Call the Experts
In today’s competitive household staffing market, outstanding candidates are in high demand.
As soon as you receive notice from our current employee, work on creating a job description, review compensation and benefits and evaluate if your in-home needs have changed.
Then, contact our team at Household Staffing to begin the search process. Don’t wait too long.
Starting early gives you a better chance of securing the best replacement before your employee’s departure date, minimize disruption, and help with a smoother transition for everyone in the home.
