Creating a Family Handbook for Your Domestic Staff
Creating a clear and simple family handbook for your domestic staff is one of the best ways to set expectations, improve communication, and help your household run smoothly. This document lays out your home’s routines, rules, and values. It also helps build a professional and respectful work environment for everyone.
Why a Family Handbook Matters
A well-organized handbook offers many benefits:
- Clarity and Consistency: It explains each person’s role, responsibilities, and your household’s way of doing things. This helps everyone stay on the same page.
- Helpful Reference: Your staff can use the handbook as a go-to guide, which can cut down on questions and misunderstandings while making day-to-day tasks easier.
What to Include in Your Family Handbook
When writing your handbook, try to include these important sections:
- Welcome and Household Philosophy: Start with a warm welcome and a short note about your family’s values. Share how much you appreciate the staff’s role in your home.
- Job Descriptions and Expectations: Write out what each position involves. Be clear about tasks, performance standards, and who staff members report to.
- Schedules and Routines: Include daily and weekly routines, work hours, and anything else that helps your home run on time.
- Household Rules and Procedures: This section should cover things like confidentiality, dress code, use of household items, and what to do in an emergency.
- Pay and Benefits: List salary details, paid time off, any bonuses or benefits, and how performance reviews will work. You can read more about that here.
- Health and Safety Plans: Provide clear steps for handling medical emergencies. Include contact info for doctors or other emergency contacts. This is especially helpful if you have children in the home.
Tips for Making It Work
Once your handbook is written, here are a few ways to make sure it works well:
- Make It Personal: Adjust your handbook so it fits your household’s unique needs and preferences.
- Keep It Simple: Use plain, direct language so it’s easy to understand.
- Review It Often: Update your handbook when your household needs or laws change.
- Get It Signed: Have each staff member sign a form that says they’ve read and understood the handbook.
For more in-depth help, consider the book How to Hire & Retain Your Household Help: A Household HR Handbook by Guy Maddalone. It’s a great resource for anyone managing a professional home.
A well-written family handbook builds trust and keeps your home running smoothly. It also shows your domestic staff that you value their work and want to set them up for success.
At Town + Country Resources, we’re here to help you create a home that’s both well-managed and welcoming. If you’re hiring or currently managing domestic staff and want expert support, we’re just a call or click away. Contact us today to get started.