For ultra-high net worth homes or high-profile homes, privacy isn’t just a ‘want’ – it’s a critical part of keeping their homes, families, and businesses safe and secure.
Because domestic staff working at the home are often privy to sensitive information, it’s imperative that confidentiality agreements are in place at the time of hire.
The Confidentiality Agreement
What’s a Confidentiality Agreement?
Sometimes called a nondisclosure agreement (NDA), a confidentiality agreement clearly outlines what information an employee is expected to keep private.
It will detail the employees’ duties and responsibilities, outline what information should be kept strictly confidential, and cover what happens if the information is disclosed or leaked.
Why is this important?
Simply because sometimes information that may not ‘seem’ confidential actually might be. For example, a nanny might know where a family is traveling or an estate manager knows where a family’s additional residences are.
There may be security procedures and specific vendors that the home uses that may not seem out of the ordinary to discuss but might truly be something very important to keep private.
Important Must-Knows About Having a Confidentiality Agreement in Place
It protects family privacy.
Everyone deserves privacy – even people who live in the public eye. Having a confidentiality agreement in place ensures that employees don’t advertently or inadvertently make personal information public conversation.
It minimizes security concerns.
Even the most seemingly harmless leaked information could lead to big security concerns for a high-profile of UHNW home. For example, knowing where a child goes to school, what type of cars the family drives or owns, or where a vacation is scheduled is private information and if it gets out, could lead to a breach of security.
Consider social media.
In-person conversations are one thing, but with social media, confidentiality becomes even more complicated. An employee may not reveal sensitive information but if they post a photo that leads to details of a location or background, there could be a problem with privacy or security.
A strong NDA should outline clear expectations about posting photos or sharing locations, in addition to what type of information should be shared about household activities.
Include information that’s unique to your home or estate.
Each household is different. That means your confidentiality agreement might be different than another home’s or could be dependent on the type of employee you hire.
Generally, a confidentiality agreement should address these key details:
- Family and personal information
- Family schedules, including travel plans or itineraries
- Home addresses and property information
- Financial or business information
- Medical records
- Security protocol
- Passwords, access codes, etc.
- Photographs and videos
- Social media rules
- Guest and visitor information
- Termination clause
Also keep in mind that NDAs or confidentiality agreements are legal documents, and requirements and enforceability can vary by state. That’s why it is important to work with a legal professional to create or review an agreement appropriate for your estate.
Last, remember that privacy should be at the forefront of your hiring process – beginning before you even find the right candidate.
Our team at Household Staffing recognizes how important it is to hire people you trust. We work to carefully vet candidates, check references, complete background checks, and learn what household policies and expectations are the most important for you.
Once we find a match, we start the introduction process so you can get to know the candidate and determine if their expertise is a good fit. We understand that the best household employees know that discretion is a key part of their job.
Ready to start the hiring process for an outstanding employee you can trust? Contact us today or complete our New Hire Request Form to get started.
