Creating a positive work environment for your domestic staff begins with demonstrating genuine care and professional respect.
Employees who feel safe, comfortable, and heard in their work environment generally have better attitudes and show greater satisfaction with their job.
Establishing a Supportive Work Environment
Create an Effective Onboarding Process
When you hire a new employee, make sure that you train them effectively on the inner-workings of your home and the job they’ll be doing.
Effective onboarding helps them understand more about their role, but also gives them the opportunity to ask questions and familiarize themselves with the things and people they will be working with.
Recognize and Reward a Job Well Done
Providing regular kudos in the form of a handwritten note, monetary bonus, additional paid time off, gift card, or other or can not only show that you appreciate them, but it can also help motivate your employees to continue their good efforts.
Prioritize Open Communication
Great communication is the key to any good working relationship. When your staff feels they can share their feedback – whether that’s positive comments, concerns, or suggestions – they are more likely to feel respected.
Health and Safety Guidelines
Whether it’s an estate manager, a housekeeper, nanny, or private chef to help oversee the details of your busy home, having a qualified household employee is a huge help.
Unfortunately, when your employee gets sick and can’t work, it may feel like everything is coming to a halt.
Here are some things to consider when it comes to creating and following health and safety guidelines for your staff:
Have a Plan in Place Ahead of Time
It’s good to have a back up plan lined up if your employee can’t come to work.
For example, if you rely on the services of a nanny every day and they are sick with a contagious virus, have some family members or friends that you trust available for last minute childcare.
If that’s not an option, do some research ahead of time to find another nanny or daycare that provides drop-in childcare services.
Having alternate plans lined up ahead of time can help alleviate pressure and stress.
Prioritize Your Employee’s Health
It’s important to show understanding and grace when/if your employee is sick. Don’t pressure them to come in or make them feel guilty.
Doing so could make them feel frustrated or resentful and over time, this simply won’t contribute to a positive working relationship.
Promote Work-Life Balance
Our world today is incredibly busy and fast-paced, and it can be difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Your domestic staff plays a crucial role in supporting your household, so if you encourage them to prioritize their physical, emotional, and mental well-being, your home will benefit.
Encourage Boundaries
Make sure your household staff is adhering to guidelines regarding their work hours, breaks, and days off. It’s important that employers respect those boundaries, and don’t ask them to change or add additional hours all the time.
There are certain times that hours or overtime will be required, but those should be communicated in advance.
Provide Benefits That Encourage A Healthy Work-life Balance
- Competitive pay is an important part of attracting and retaining good employees, but benefits are also key.
- Provide healthcare benefits or a reimbursement for the employee to pay for their own healthcare package.
- Offer vacation days, paid holidays, or other paid time off benefits so your employee can rest and recoup.
Showing that you prioritize self-care and personal time can help prevent staff burnout and help them maintain a positive outlook on their job.
