A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is a very common document used in the household staffing industry. That’s because your home – and your family – have the right to your privacy and when you’re hiring staff, they often have access to some of the more personal parts of your life.
The Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
Whether they see sensitive documents, witness the daily routines of your children, or know passwords or have access codes, there is information that you as the employer will want to keep confidential and safe.
Do you need one?
It’s up to you to decide if you want an NDA or not. If you do want one, it’s usually seen as a condition of employment and is signed when the candidate accepts the job. This is a separate document from a work agreement. A non-disclosure agreement is a legal document and if the employee violates something in it, you can pursue legal action.
What should you include?
You can provide general information in this document, or you can get very specific about what you want to keep confidential. This depends on your unique circumstances and can be adjusted accordingly.
For example, a high-profile business executive or celebrities will likely have very detailed information about what can be shared about their home – both online or even in conversations.
For other households, a generic NDA can suffice and just include disclosures that are pertinent to their role and your home. In addition, be sure to include details about what will happen if the agreement is violated. For example, immediate termination, legal action, etc.
Can NDAs be specific to each employee?
Yes. If you have multiple staff members working in your home, you may want unique NDAs for each one.
For example, if you hire a nanny who works closely with your children, their NDA may have different requirements than an estate manager who has direct access to your financial information or bank statements.
Know what’s included.
Talk to a legal professional when drafting it to determine what should be included. Then, keep in mind that it’s essential you and your employees both understand the innerworkings of the document and what repercussions there are if it isn’t followed.
Be sure to ask your employees if they have specific questions about the agreement. Keeping an open line of communication is the key to avoiding misunderstandings.
What if I’m the Employee?
If you’re a household employee looking for your next long-term role, you may be asked to sign an NDA. Even if you’re not working in a high-net-worth home or with a Hollywood A-lister, it is common for other household employers to have their staff sign one.
Be prepared to read the document carefully. Don’t just blindly sign it – ask questions if you’re not sure about anything listed, do some research on language you aren’t sure of, and if you are not comfortable signing it, it’s okay to walk away.
Don’t feel intimidated to find something that you don’t fully grasp. But keep in mind that usually, the overall intent of an NDA is to ensure that there are healthy boundaries in place so everyone is kept safe, secure, and protected.
We’re Here for You
If you are thinking about hiring staff for your home in 2025, let us help! We’ll help you find the ideal candidates for your home with the specific expertise and experience you’re looking for.
Once you find the right person to hire, you can work to create a well-rounded NDA to put in place before their first day of work. Doing this will help you feel more secure and confident in your home and with your staff.
Contact our attentive and experienced team at Household Staffing today, so we can help you find a great match!
