Domestic help 101 questions

[Anonymous]

We are just beginning to explore what kind of help we need/want/can afford. We have a 4, and 1.5 and another arriving later this year. Daw is sah but soon to return to work. I travel a fair amount for the job. Thinking live-in. Plead mixed reviews of AP agencies, and thought we might sponsor someone from abroad, as one option. Hiring locally another. Seeking mostly child care help but a bit of housekeeping, errand running or cooking from time to time would help. We are flexible and pretty easy going. Would appreciate general advice on any/all related matters.

Does everyone pay above board, taxes, health insurance, etc?

TIA

[Anonymous]

You should plan to pay on the books so you can spare yourself the stress of getting caught.
I recommend you ask around your friends and neighbors to see if they know of someone for you. Often their nannies or housekeepers will know someone who's looking. Insist on several excellent references.

[Anonymous]

Start talking to everyone you know who has a nanny or housekeeper. Find out how they do it and what lessons they've learned.

Do it legally (hire someone legal to work, or sponsor them legally, pay all appropriate taxes, overtime, etc...).

Be realistic about reasonable workloads and expectations. Think seriously about the balance of household maintenance and childcare - what are your most critical needs and which are optional. That will help you describe the position appropriately and hire more effectively.

Do a lot of research.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Start talking to everyone you know who has a nanny or housekeeper. Find out how they do it and what lessons they've learned.

Do it legally (hire someone legal to work, or sponsor them legally, pay all appropriate taxes, overtime, etc...).

Be realistic about reasonable workloads and expectations. Think seriously about the balance of household maintenance and childcare - what are your most critical needs and which are optional. That will help you describe the position appropriately and hire more effectively.

Do a lot of research.

Good luck.

Just a note that you can't sponsor domestic help unless you a diplomat in A2 status or an employee of an international organization in G4 status. These domestic workers will then be in A3 or G5 status. There is no option for employers to sponsor green cards for domestic employees.

[Anonymous]

Paying legally is important. Paying for health insurance between 100-200 a month is very common also offering 2 weeks paid vacation and 2-5 paid sick days is very standard. If your looking at a live in nanny I would expect you to need to pay between 12-15 per hr to get a good candidate. Most nannies taking care of a newborn, 1 yr old and 4 yr old will only do light cleaning like children's laundry and unloading and reloading the dishwasher. Also most will not cook the evening meal for you but will make breakfast and lunch for the children.

[Anonymous]

I would not hire an AP for a newborn or 3 little kids so I think you should look for an experienced nanny.

"Does everyone pay above board, taxes, health insurance, etc? "

above board - yes.
Taxes - we take out payroll taxes as legally required; nanny handles her own income taxes since that part's optional.
Insurance - we don't offer insurance or a stipend.
Benefits - we do offer guaranteed hours (same pay each week provided she's available to work even if we don't use her for part of them), 2.5 weeks VAC with 1 week at our pick; 3 sick days. She restores order to the day's mess (and we leave house in reasonable order in AM too) and occassionally does the floors but mostly just cleans up after the mess made while she's on the clock. 3 kids is a lot of work especailly with a newborn - be cautious on how much housework is reasonable to expect.