When providing domestic staff we focus on gaining a full understanding of your needs so that we can place the best candidate to ensure your satisfaction. We aim to take away your everyday worries, whether that’s making sure the children have been collected from school, that there is a wonderful meal ready for that evening’s little soirée, or that an elderly relative is able to continue living safely in their own home.
We like to establish from you exactly the type of person you are seeking. For this reason, we ask you to provide as much information as possible about the position, remuneration, accommodation (if applicable) and other details.
If you wish to submit details of your requirements for domestic staff, please get in touch using the form on the right-hand side, or through our email or telephone. Once we have received your enquiry, we’ll contact you to discuss how we may help in your search for domestic staff.
If a member of your domestic or household staff ask for time off to go to a doctor, what is your rea...
While the number of job adverts in the UK is well above pre-pandemic levels, the number of those see...
In the current employment situation, with furlough ending and changes in the air, it may well be you...
A high proportion of employees in the domestic and household service are women, and as such, dep...
With the UK opening up and relaxing some Covid-19 rules, many employers are still concerned that e...
As the date for ending Furlough nears (Sept 30) the great gold rush for jobs is already starting. Ma...
If you ask for time off to go to a doctor, what is your boss’s reaction? Do they say to take the t...
In the present situation of the UK opening up, but with continuing Covid-19 infections, there are qu...
In the current employment situation, with furlough ending and changes in the air, it is a possibilit...
There has been a lot of publicity about the new rules on Isolation, so what does it mean if you are ...
We have had a summer with heat-waves, and the hot weather may well stay with us for a while. So, w...
As England has now moved into stage 4 of the government’s roadmap many employees just like you a...
We have had a summer with heat-waves, and the hot weather may well stay with us for a while. So, w...
As England has now moved into stage 4 of the government’s roadmap many employers are asking, wha...
At the time of writing, some 1.7 million people are thought to be isolating after receiving an alert...
A number of employment tribunal cases are coming under scrutiny now where Covid-19 -19 concerns ar...
The scheme, which has protected millions of jobs, is due to close at the end of September. According...
If you or any friends are still suffering following a Covid-19 infection, you or they could w...
Of course you chat with friends about new jobs, pay and pay rises, and one topic doing the rounds at...
There has been considerable publicity recently about an employee who won at an Employment Tribuna...
As more employers offer equal parenthood leave and paid leave for employees who experience the loss ...
If your domestic or household staff are continuing to be ill following a Covid-19 infection, they co...
An employee of yours is off sick and is spotted by a friend of yours drinking in a local pub…D...
An applicant for new domestic staff position says: “Well you know that the figures show salaries a...
What Does A Domestic Couple Do? A domestic couple will usually offer services that cover two sides o...
Your Responsibility As An Employer If you are considering hiring private staff, it is important to b...
June 30th is a vital deadline for those EU workers who have not applied for Pre-settled or Settled s...
What are the chances that you have, or are suffering from stress as a result of the Covid-19 pande...
Once again, fraudsters on the internet have found a new way to take money off unsuspecting people &#...
As the UK government has extended parental and other leave right for employees, another London-based...
We have relayed in the past the cost of wrongful dismissals and the potential cost of getting wrong,...
There are many sources of information about understanding and managing staff stress as a result of t...
Things are on the move again, with job recruitment at a eight year high as the UK starts the recover...
What Does A Domestic Couple Do? A domestic couple will usually offer services that cover two sides o...
Your Responsibility As An Employer If you are considering hiring private staff, it is important to b...
A domestic couple is a couple who may be together as a romantic couple or could be close friends who...
If you are considering taking on extra domestic and household staff, it appears that now would be a ...
Wrapping up a racial comment as a joke can be costly, as one employer recently discovered. It’s a ...
One of the most important issues today for all employers, including those of domestic and household ...
During the pandemic employers, including those of domestic and household staff, have been allowed to...
Consultations are under way between the government, unions and care homes, which may see care home s...
If racist comments have been made to you at work, wrapped up as a joke to hide the insult, they ar...
For those domestic and caring staff who work in care homes, it may soon be mandatory to have a Covid...
One of the most important issues today, for all employees, in including those of domestic and househ...
When hiring a housekeeper, loyalty is of the utmost importance. As a professional and highly-recomme...
Be Clear About Your Expectations At The Graham Agency, we have been matching household staff with ho...
What’s The Difference Between A Live In and Live Out Housekeeper? The main difference between a li...
Early May Bank holiday Monday, May 3 2021 Spring Bank Holi...
Many employees are eligible for statutory rates of pay for: maternity, paternity, adoption shared pa...
Perhaps you are, or know a friend or colleague classified as Clinically Vulnerable and who has not h...
Early May Bank holiday Monday, May 3 2021 Spring Bank Holi...
Many employers, including those of household and domestic staff may have had some staff classified...
We have often cautioned employers of domestic and household staff of the potential dangers of taking...
A recent Employment Tribunal judgement demonstrates how careful employers need to be when criticisin...
What Is A Domestic Couple? A domestic couple is usually a husband and wife who work for a property...
With all the pressure and confines the Covid 19 pandemic has created, it would be a surprise if you ...
It’s been a very strange time since the Covid-19 pandemic started and we were locked away from fri...
Lay Men And Women To Sit At Tribunals It’s possible that if you have ever considered taking a case...
The debate around vaccine passports continues to develop with the UK still saying that at present th...
If you have experienced an unexpected slump in response to a job advertisement for domestic or house...
News that those deciding, or contributing to a decision you are facing at an Employment Tribunal may...
Under the on-going Covid 19 pandemic, it is not surprising that taking a holiday this year has not b...
What Does A Housekeeper Do? The role of a housekeeper London is a varied role with responsibilities ...
As employers, including those of domestic and household staff, try to navigate their way through our...
From time to time the balance changes between staff seeking a job and employers looking for staff. W...
We have have brought to your attention many times, how excluding a candidate for any work, includi...
From time to time the balance changes between staff seeking a job and employers looking for staff. W...
There are many reasons why you may not be selected for a job after what you thought was a good inter...
It is quite possible that in the near future, you will be faced with a new question at a job intervi...
A growing number of employers of domestic and household staff are considering adding a new question ...
Top Tips For Cleaning Your Home During the winter months, we spend more time indoors and are less li...
Constantine Law are specialist employment lawyers with whom we have worked over the years. Due to ou...
What The Government Guidance Says For Housekeepers in London According to the guidance published by ...
As domestic staff cannot work from home, the employer would need to consider the current public heal...
From January 1st most foreign nationals, including those from the European Union, who want to work...
We all, as employers of domestic/household staff hope and expect them to be trustworthy, and we are ...
A case in which a Saudi diplomat trafficked a woman to the UK and forced to work as his servant fo...
A case in which a Saudi diplomat trafficked a woman to the UK and forced to work as his servant fo...
Does your boss ask you to drive sometimes? It may be OK if the weather is fine, but winter driving i...
As the new national lockdown kicks in, many will have questions about what is allowed and what is ...
From January 1st most foreign nationals, including those from the European Union, who want to work...
Do you have a legal obligation to give your domestic staff time off and pay them? Contrary to what s...
The furlough scheme which was due to end on 31 October 2020 then further extended to 2 December 2020...
Many employers have relied on the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to reveal even minor convicti...
2020 Friday 25th December – Christmas Day Monday 28th December – Boxing Day The big change in ...
2020 Friday 25th December – Christmas Day Monday 28th December – Boxing Day The big change in ...
The question often asked in regard to Public holidays, is “Does my boss have to give me the time o...
London’s New Tier Two Rules – What They Mean London’s 32 boroughs and the City of London, ...
“I carried on working and wasn’t furloughed but it was not possible to take my holidays, so do...
There are many whose employment within the domestic and household staff world, whose job has either ...
A survey revealed that two-thirds of employees plan to carry over some of their annual leave into ...
As the Covid -19 situation deepens, it is possible that, when implementing staff reductions or job c...
Overclaims fall into two categories; claiming an erroneous amount or claiming a grant to which you w...
To assist our reader, we have gathered the main points regarding the impact of the government’s se...
The government’s Furlough scheme which has helped protect jobs finishes at the end of this month, ...
As a domestic/household employee you may face the possibility of being made redundant if your employ...
As a domestic/household employee you can, of course, choose not go to work, however you can...
As an employer of domestic/household staff you may, in these difficult times, face upto the option o...
If employees refuse to return to work, what are your rights? In “normal” times, an employee can ...
If you are considering annual pay increases for your domestic and household staff it is important to...
As Furlough ends, the government’s Jobs Support Scheme kicks in, but how does it differ from Furlo...
Extremely clinically vulnerable employees who stayed at home to protect themselves from corona virus...
As a domestic/household staff employer, the ability of staff to do their jobs is an issue you keep a...
If you, as an employer of domestic and household staff are asked by employees for a pay rise, then t...
Do you have staff still on furlough? If so, they are part of the 12.5% of UK staff who remain furlou...
If you, as a domestic or household employee are considering asking for a pay rise, the latest trend ...
We all like to think that we are doing our job well, and working in the domestic and househol...
Are you one of the extremely clinically vulnerable people who stayed at home to protect themselves...
Average earnings fell 1.3 per cent, after adjusting for inflation, in the three months to May, the d...
The Law Society is backing the call for the government to increase the time limit in which an indivi...
If you have domestic/household staff on furlough then you need to know the Chancellor is offering a ...
With the present siuation limiting new job possibilities, make sure in an interview that you show ...
Average earnings fell 1.3 per cent, after adjusting for inflation, in the three months to May, the d...
It will come as a shock and disappointment to social care workers that they will not qualify for the...
It has come as a shock to many who are hoping to arrange care in the home for relatives that social ...
8. Q. When is the furlough scheme due to end? A. The scheme ends on 31st October 2020. ...
7. Q. Are there additional furlough changes in October? A. From October, the Government contribution...
6. Q. What are the changes to the furlough scheme in September? A. From September, the Government co...
5. Q. What are the changes to the furlough scheme in August? A. From 1st August employers will have ...
4 . Q I`ve heard that with effect from 1st July the rules governing furlough are changing, can you e...
3. Q I want my furloughed employee to return to work; she`s pregnant & resisting a return on the...
2. Q My employee is shielding & is refusing to return to work as the lockdown eases. What advice...
1. Q. Some staff are being encouraged to return to work but my furloughed employee is refusing to do...
1. Q. Some staff are being encouraged to return to work but my furloughed employee is refusing to do...
My employee says it’s not safe for her to travel on public transport and that it is my responsibil...
I have asked my employee to return to work but she says her childrens’ school isn’t opening and ...
1 Q .Has the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, Furlough, been extended? A. Yes, Chanc...
15 May 2020 Government guidance is now that many of those who cannot work from home should return to...
In this unique period of Covid-19 worry and appropriate restrictions, families are seeking the best ...
As employers of domestic and household staff it is essential that you understand how the UK lockdown...
We have been inundated with important questions from domestic staff desperate for information on the...
Easter and May Bank Holidays are fast approaching. But do you have a legal obligation to give your d...
Here are the rules concerning pay and time off. UK Bank Holidays and how they affect you as an emplo...
Parents of babies born prematurely are to have extra statutory paid leave. The move was announced by...
But how precisely does redundancy differ from dismissal? As an employee the differences are importan...
Major changes to what information your employer has to provide to all new employees and workers come...
Smoking breaks at work hit the news recently as a Spanish court ruled that an organisation there can...
Major changes to what information you have to provide to all employees and workers come into force f...
Parents of babies born prematurely are to have extra statutory paid leave. The move was announced by...
But how precisely does redundancy differ from dismissal? As an employer of domestic and household st...
It may not be convenient for you if your employee becomes pregnant, but her rights are protected i...
Who would have thought a few years ago, that a compensation payout for Age and Race Discrimination w...
The government’s proposed immigration reforms will not affect the status of foreign workers alread...
The government’s proposed immigration reforms will not affect the status of foreign workers alread...
It may not be convenient for your employer if you become pregnant, but your rights are protected in ...
A new law which gives working parents who suffer the loss of a child, the statutory right to two wee...
UK set to introduce ‘Jack’s Law’ – new legal right to paid parentalbereavement leave A new l...
If I lose My Job Before 31st Dec. 2020 Does It Affect My Right To Stay In The UK? This is an importa...
It is important, as domestic/household staff, that you are aware of proposed new statutory pay rates...
Yet again, a recent case in an employment tribunal has shown that unwanted sexual approaches still c...
This could well be your big year as an employee in the domestic/household world. New research shows ...
A major proposed travel change post-Brexit will affect citizens of EU countries – perhaps yo...
You will have seen lots of news of about so called “gagging orders” in recent months that may af...
You may have noticed that the winter months take a heavy toll on your mood and well-being. Well, the...
There will be new rules for EU citizens visiting the UK post-Brexit if they are given approval by pa...
There has been considerable publicity around the issue of confidentiality agreements – so call...
With a recent survey showing that nine in ten care chiefs are worried about how they will cope over ...
A recent case came before an Employment Tribunal where an woman, 89 years old was awarded £200,00...
The question often asked in regard to Public holidays, is “Does my boss have to give me the time o...
UK Below are the remaining Public Holidays for 2020, but in May there is a holiday date change. Engl...
You may have noticed that the winter months take a heavy toll on people’s mood and well-being. Wel...
As an employer of domestic/household staff you will undoubtedly pay considerably more than either th...
A recent case which came before an Employment Tribunal illustrates how careful employers of all staf...
Public Holidays 2019 And 2020 In The UK. Note Change In May The thing about public holidays is that ...
Do you have a legal obligation to give your domestic staff time off and pay them? Contrary to what s...
If you are a EU citizen working in the domestic or household and have already been granted Pre-s...
In the first instance let’s define a “dependant”. A dependant could be a spouse, partner, ch...
What are their rights to time off to deal with it? First of all, let us be clear on what constitut...
If any of your domestic and household staff who are EU citizens and have already been granted Pre-se...
If you are applying for a domestic position through The Graham Agency we can help you through the pr...
While EU laws will still be in force after Brexit, there are no guarantees that they will stay that ...
It’s a question that many employees who have obtained employment tribunal judgements against emplo...
While EU laws will still be in force after Brexit, there are no guarantees that they will stay tha...
It’s a question that some employers who have had employment tribunal judgements given against them...
Where do your domestic and household staff rate on the sickness ladder? Of course staff are off sick...
The answer, as it is in many cases, is …it all depends … in this case on their reason fo...
Don’t be the one in twenty. Despite considerable publicity regarding employer obligations to e...
The £30,000 per annum pre-tax salary threshold for migrant workers post-Brexit may be reviewed, e...
If a new bill does progress through parliament, then being allowed to work flexible working hours ma...
Parents of premature babies could be given “neonatal leave” to spend more time with their childr...
Holiday Time Maybe A Distant Memory But Did You Actually Get Enough Time Off? Holiday time maybe...
Holiday time maybe just a memory, but did you actually get the correct amount of holiday time off?...
Would YOU give special consideration to a female domestic staff member suffering from period pain? C...
Parents of premature babies could be given “neonatal leave” to spend more time with their childr...
Historically employers have been able to check on the criminal backgrounds of those they may employ ...
A new bill is working it’s through parliament that could make flexible working the default positio...
A recent Employment Tribunal has backed a pregnant care worker who was sacked when she wanted to opt...
As the hot summer continues many employees, including domestic and household, some of whentom work o...
A pregnant care assistant sacked after wanting to opt out of a 48 hour plus working week has won...
EU Migrant Post Brexit Salary Threshold May Be Reviewed. The £30.000 per annum pre-tax salary thres...
A potentially huge increase in paternity leave for fathers that could affect many employers, is on t...
In a legal judgement this month (June 2019 ) the Court of Appeal has ruled that paid voluntary overt...
In a major development in the on-going issue of non-disclosure agreements, a committee of MPs is now...
A survey by the Equality and Human Rights Commission has found that 41% of pregnant workers feel tha...
There has been considerable publicity recently about the stress of work on women and how many more...
Under UK law, employees do not have the legal right to attend medical appointments in work time, so ...
The issue of Mental Health has been in the spotlight recently with Mental Health Awareness Week runn...
Is there a domestic answer to womens’ workplace stress? Some revealing figures in new research...
Sometimes a case arises that illustrates how careful an employer – including those with one ...
It sounds a good idea… perhaps when you are about to leave your job as domestic or household...
As one of Britain’s largest care home groups goes into administration, residents are awaiting th...
Major Compensation Changes You should be aware of…. As a domestic or household staff member yo...
The Hidden Dangers Of Finding A Domestic/Household Staff Replacement Through Reccommendation. It sou...
If you are mother, or father, or could be in the future, this month, May 2019, there are some develo...
If You Are Told ‘You Are Too Old For Your Job’ – Better Read This.. If you are tol...
This month, May 2019, the government is set to publish its first consultation on the extension of sh...
There are some important changes to compensation awards that employment tribunals can apply recently...
If you reach the stage where you, as an employer of domestic staff, may consider an employee is too ...
As a domestic staff worker, you work in the home of your employer and the hope is that everyone resp...
We have told you before that Employment Tribunal Fees have been removed, leaving you free to take a ...
We have written before on the impact of removing Employment Tribunal Fees. Now former domestic staff...
Check your payslip after April 6th 2019 New rules come into force regarding payslips from April 6th ...
April 6th – Or 7th Which is The Date For Changes April 6th generally brings some changes whi...
Rules on Non-Disclosure Agreements May Be About To Change Non-Disclosure Agreements are not uncomm...
If you are employed and earning more than £10,000 a year as a housekeeper, or indeed any job, you a...
Has Your Employer Ever Reduced Your Holiday Entitlement Because You Were Off Sick If so, it was not ...
If so, then life may be easier for you in the future, thanks to a Supreme Court Ruling. Until now, i...
Care of elderly in the spotlight again. New research shows that almost half a million carers for eld...
Massive rise in fines for pension auto-enrolment errors During the last financial year the number of...
A report by London Fire Brigade on fire safety in London residential care homes has highlighted a se...
It’s only fair isn’t it, a member of your domestic staff has been off sick for a while, so can y...
Information on past old and minor offences has, until now, been given to employers and potential emp...
Pay is on the increase….it’s official, so has yours gone up recently? Pay in the ...
Greater Protection For Pregnant Women. When a pregnant woman or new parents return to work – a...
Does your boss ask you to drive sometimes? It may be OK if the weather is fine, but winter driving i...
If you are going to ask your boss for a salary increase, there are a couple of things you need to th...
Many housekeepers, nannies and other domestic staff drive when employers ask, sometimes for a school...
Wow Thanks For The Pay Rise – I Didn’t Even Notice. As you know (or should do) your empl...
The wearing of religious symbols by staff at work can sometimes be a vexing issue for employers, and...
If your domestic staff ask for a salary increase, would yes or no be your immediate response? Actual...
Employers today have to be aware of risk of discrimination against employees in a range of areas and...
UK public holidays 2019 1 January Tuesday, New Year’s Day 19 April Friday, Good Friday 22 April Mo...
Did you know you’re likely to give your staff a disguised rise from April? As January heralds ...
When your housekeeper or other domestic staff employee has an illness, it’s often easy to see and ...
Look how lucky you could be! Do you feel lucky today ? well you could if you just pick up the phone....
If you suddenly find CCTV cameras where you are working as a housekeeper, do you have the right to k...
All national minimum wage rates are set to rise again, with the Living Wage – the statutory na...
Recently in Singapore an employer used CCTV to monitor his domestic staff and when he saw his child ...
In many situations, women’s Menopause is still a taboo subject, but in the workplace, inclu...
In 2020, the government will introduce a new leave entitlement, bereavement leave, being a statutory...
Despite repeated publicity promotions and warnings to employers – including of course those of...
You would like to think that when your domestic/Household staff are working for you, that even on th...
With some claims by employees and former employees of discrimination at Employment Tribunals, one ca...
Continued exposure of deficiencies in care homes in England will yet again focus the minds of famili...
When you start looking for a new job, an employment agency or prospective employer may well make a l...
Some time ago, we reported on the case of an employee who won a landmark battle when the European Co...
When your new domestic worker, nanny, or carer has been cleared by police checks to work with childr...
‘The times they are a-changing’ sang Dylan, and in the case of robots in the home, yes they are,...
A recent court case has highlighted how a professional carer looking after a vulnerable elderly woma...
A massive drop of 95% in EU nationals coming to the UK for work is causing employment problems with ...
Maybe you have a bad cold, a virus or have hurt your back, but you still turn up for work, not wishi...
Summer holidays are over, and back at work as a member of domestic/household staff, you are proud of...
It would seem that on the face of it that staff are even healthier that ever as they take less and l...
Many employers of domestic staff undoubtedly feel, from time to time, that staff holidays are inconv...
Summer holidays are over and as an employer or prospective employer of domestic staff you may well b...
Usually, when seeking employment you are expected to provide two references, one of these usually be...
Shared Parental leave? What’s that? If that’s your reaction as an employed parent, then ...
The numbers of people visiting city parks and open spaces has soared by 25% from 2010 – 2016. ...
Completely free movement of people will end when the UK leaves the EU, according to a new government...
Were you totally honest in your job application? Did you stretch the truth and can your employer fir...
Easter and May Bank Holidays are fast approaching. But do you have a legal obligation to give your d...
The numbers of people visiting city parks and open spaces has soared by 25% from 2010 to 2016. Accor...
Completely free movement of people will end when the UK leaves the EU, according a new government ...
Summer time and August Bank Holiday is fast approaching. Just to remind you, the date is 27th August...
As an employer of domestic staff you will either have been asked to provide a reference to a staff m...
Despite a campaign launched earlier in the year to raise awareness of the shared parental leave sche...
If you discover that a member of domestic/household staff lied in their CV when applying for a job, ...
Before using electrical equipment, you should always check the electric cord for frays, breaks and d...
Cleanliness in kitchens is essential to prevent the spread of potentially harmful bacteria. Your emp...
If you, as an employer of Domestic/Household staff pay enhanced Maternity pay, but not enhanced Shar...
Top Holiday Tips It’s that time again, summer and the holiday period, so we have put together so...
If you leave your home unoccupied while you are on holiday, it can be an irresistible target for thi...
If staff only have a domestic visa, then they cannot travel. if they have indefinite leave to remain...
In order to sponsor someone to work here, employers must be licensed by UK Visas and Immigration and...
With all the uncertainty around staff employment at present, some employers experiencing recruiting...
It’s that time again, Summer and people are thinking about holidays. But as an employer of Dom...
How To Beat The Worst Wage Squeeze In Modern History The UK’s real wage squeeze is the worst i...
If you, as an employer of Domestic/Household staff pay enhanced Maternity pay, but not enhanced Shar...
Organisations with 250 staff or more are being urged to publish their shared parental leave on their...
All workers (and therefore all employees) by law have a right to a minimum of 5.6 weeks paid annual ...
When you’re looking for a new job, two of the most important questions are: what is the...
It isn’t the best parting of the ways, so you decide to make a payment to the employee ...
With spring here (finally) and summer on the way, it is the time when there are extra jobs to be don...
While it is true that payments to staff for aspects such as Maternity Leave and Sick Pay are general...
We all expect the standards of care homes to protect our ageing relatives but new figures cast doubt...
As an employer of domestic staff you need to be aware of rulings on Parental Leave, as it may affect...
Once the worker starts with a new employer they can ask to see a copy of a reference. They have no r...
We have reported recently, the massive rise in cases being taken to Employment Tribunal fees were ru...
This month, May 2018 sees the first consultation of extending shared Parental Leave to Grandparents....
The Minimum contributions that you, as an employer of staff – including domestic and household...
Take some advice to help you perform to the best of your potential at an interview. These interview ...
Here are the rules concerning pay and time off. UK Bank Holidays and how they affect you as an emplo...
It is often emotionally difficult for all concerned when an aged relative enters a care home, and on...
Tribunal cases have continued to soar since fees were ruled unlawful, a trend which holds implicatio...
Even more opportunities are potentially opening up for housekeeping jobs as working parents struggle...
Yet again, international news regarding treatment of Filipino domestic staff in Kuwait has highlight...
The Government’s Fit for Work scheme which was aimed at streamlining the system of getting tho...
As an employer of domestic/household staff, you may well have house rules relating to smoking at wor...
It is human nature to expect that at the top of the tree where prices are highest, highest quality i...
If an employee commits an act which you consider unacceptable, would your first reaction be to suspe...
Employment tribunal claims have soared in recent month since fees were abolished following a Supreme...
It’s some way off yet, but we can see the way it’s going, even 18 year old employees wil...
Increases in statutory pay rates for a range of staff conditions have been announced by the governme...
Wages are squeezed and it looks like another five years of the same before earnings are even anywher...
There has been a major development that could affect many domestic staff, now and in the future If y...
Increases in the minimum wages which should be paid to workers in the UK are due to take affect in t...
Increases in statutory pay rates staff recently announced by the government will affect a whole rang...
A recent court case illustrates just how important it is for employers of domestic and household sta...
Fees for residential and nursing homes have risen at their fastest rate to reach an average of ￡33...
The Government’s scheme for individuals to apply for tribunal fees refunds has been rolled o...
This new year heralds probably of some of the greatest changes in the UK for decades. The big issue ...
To remind you of important dates coming up. Firstly, this year’s remaining Bank holidays for E...
Over 150,000 UK workers are set to receive a pay rise, and it’s all voluntary on the part of t...
New research shows how difficult it is in the UK for many to break out of poorly paid jobs, in direc...
An appalling list of deficiencies in a residential care home which charged between ￡680 and ￡1,3...
We are all aware that changes are in the air regarding Brexit and freedom of movement for EU nationa...
A legal case currently going though the European Court of Justice (ECJ) may impact employers who hav...
Parents who suffer the death of a child may soon have the statutory right to paid leave. This will a...
A bill currently going through parliament will lay down new regulations on payment for work experien...
Employment Tribunal Claims May Rise After Ruling Employers of domestic and household staff need to b...
Domestic staff need to be aware when considering a job in the Gulf countries that maids there have b...
If the recommendations of an independent review of the treatment of black, Asian and minority ethnic...
The internet tutorial programme provided by HMRC (HM Revenue and Customs) continues to expand and of...
A suggested new deal which may be offered to fathers by the government would, of course, apply to th...
Almost 190,000 more people aged 65 years or older will require care by 2035 to cope with the rise in...
In a major ruling for employers – including those of domestic and household staff – employme...
Employers of staff, including domestic and household, may well find post-Brexit, that the rights of ...
Part One. The Contract of Employment you must give your staff should spell out their duties and obli...
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Before using electrical equipment, the user should check the electric cord for ...
This is a question which often arises with domestic and household staff, and some expert advice woul...
The tragic death of an elderly care home resident once again brings caring options into consideratio...
We have been asked this question by an employer who already has a Housekeeper but requires extra hel...
Once again, the risks to domestic staff, including housekeepers, of working in the United Arab Emira...
It has become patently obvious just how powerful are today’s social media platforms. Facebook...
As part of the government’s on-going series “webinars” (web based seminars) HM Revenue and...
With the holiday period now on us, many employers will take domestic staff, particularly housekeeper...
If you already employ, or are considering employing domestic and household staff on a so-called “z...
By law, you cannot discriminate against your workers because of their age; disability; gender reassi...
Statutory Maternity Pay, Ordinary and Additional Statutory Paternity Pay or Adoption Pay and Shared ...
Holiday time is here again and some you will be going off on a family trip leaving domestic staff st...
It’s really bad winter weather-or there are public transport strikes – and your househol...
We have written previously about the need to ensure the safety of your domestic and household staff ...
One of your employees, either domestic or household, is really dedicated and never takes a break, ev...
We all know that health care in the UK is rarely free and is often taken for granted. What many do ...
Unless you have an agreed wage increase policy with your domestic and or household staff, it is quit...
Confrontation with employees is always to be avoided if possible, and the last thing you should do i...
A court case in the news has highlighted yet again, how careful Housekeepers must be when accepting ...
The government is poised to consider extending leave rights for family members of new mothers. The o...
There has recently been publicity of a case where the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that a c...
Employers providing accommodation for Housekeepers and Household staff will have to await the outcom...
A high percentage of domestic and household staff are women, and in the course of their employment, ...
It is a simple request ‘Will you change that light bulb for me?’ ‘Would you get a ...
It may be that one of your domestic/household staff is either a new or expectant mum, OR, that you y...
Even if you haven’t heard of Uber, or CitySprint, it is possible that recent employment tribun...
A recent tragic death of an elderly patient at a care home has highlighted the need for special inst...
Citizens Advice recently advised employees, including domestic and household staff, to check their w...
Mounting pressure on Britain’s care for the elderly has opened a potential area of risk for th...
The UK government has an easy to use tool for checking someone’s right to work, available at https...
There are special rules for deciding if someone is employed or self- employed. This is called their ...
A domestic staff member, housekeeper, carer, nanny, etc. can very quickly become someone who is he...
What is the Living Wage, what is the amount and do you have to pay it? There is often confusion abou...
The perils of flexible working requests can prove a difficult maze to negotiate; there are lessons t...
Whenever a bank holiday, as Public holidays are termed, falls on a weekend, a “substitute...
If you wish to terminate an employee’s employment, to avoid a claim for unfair dismissal, it must ...
This could happen to you…a real life scenario. Three weeks after engaging a new housekeeper yo...
A new report by Age UK shows that two out of five ・ 41% of residents in independent care homes are...
As an employer of domestic/household staff it is important you understand the obligations of the Sha...
As an employer of domestic/household staff are you up-to-date with the new tax laws on expenses and ...
When there is a seasonal demand for extra staff, offering students or others a zero hours contract m...
As an employer, or prospective employer of domestic/household staff it is important that you keep up...
Some recent court cases have highlighted the affect of heavier penalties since the implementation of...
When you have cause to consider suspending a domestic/household member of staff due to a perceived a...
When you ask your domestic/household staff member to nip down the road in the car for you how do you...
Just a bit of banter…? Just where is the line you can’t step over? A major report shines...
When care home costs rise by more than 10 times the increase in pensioner incomes, rocketing by 5.2%...
There are more tax changes in the pipeline which you as an en employer, or prospective employer of d...
If your domestic/household employee returns from maternity leave and asks to work part-time do you h...
How does the government’s Pension auto-enrolment scheme affect you, as an employer of domestic...
As a member of domestic/household staff, you will be used to using cleaning chemicals on a regular b...
Are you, as an employer of domestic staff, entitled to check your employee’s phone to see if they ...
It would seem that no matter how carefully relatives check a care home for their loved ones, there i...
When shared parental leave was introduced recently in the UK, the degree of take-up was unknown and ...
It is a situation which can arise in many homes which employ domestic/ household staff – you the e...
In every household there are cleaning chemicals being used on a daily basis, but what precautions ha...
They are safe…No, they are unsafe and present a Salmonella risk…Now are they safe again?...
According to research carried out by workplace experts Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration ...
A recent Crown Court case brought against a home care company by the Health and Safety Executive (HS...
As an employer of domestic staff, you hope that you do not have to terminate their employment, but i...
There is, says the Social Care Institute for Excellence, a real risk that family carers can reach th...
There are now some two million people employed full-time and part-time in the domestic help industry...
Sometimes an offer comes along that appears to be a real bonus. Well, for many domestic and househol...
It would seem that no matter how carefully relatives check a care home for their loved ones, there i...
In a recent court case in which a company was fined some £36,000 for unsafe working practices, it w...
A question often asked of us, is: ‘Can we, as the employer, contact a member of our domestic...
We all have the greatest sympathy for a member of domestic or household staff who are off sick. But ...
It would appear that here at The Graham Agency we are bucking the trend in wages which our domestic ...
Since 1 April, all workers aged 25 and over have been legally entitled to at least £7.20 per hour. ...
Here are a few questions for you as employers of domestic staff – and they are not trick questions...
Many of those who are in the food preparation business including, of course, housekeepers, cooks and...
As employers of domestic and household staff, it’s difficult enough keeping abreast of changes to ...
If you haven’t already sent in your final payroll reports for 2015- 16 HMRC’s webinar w...
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Before using electrical equipment, the user should check the electric cord for ...
There has been considerable controversy in recent times regarding the operation of so called Zero Ho...
A recent court case has highlighted the need for all employers to ensure that employees, including d...
The short answer is no, you don’t, but and there is always a “but”…. All employees are e...
Assuming you already have a contract of employment for your domestic and household staff, then you w...
Yet again the issue of the alleged ill treatment of domestic workers in Saudi Arabia has come into t...
Employing a person with a learning disability ensures your workforce is more representative of your ...
A Supreme Court ruling has highlighted a factor of which all employers need to be aware, including t...
What on earth are Webinars? A very good question and it is quite possible you have never heard of th...
We are often asked this question, and in reality it is best answered by another question….what do ...
Part One: There have been recent reports in the press concerning injuries suffered by domestic and h...
Don’t be left out of the information loop, register for our webinar now to find out what needs...
WHAT IF you were sure you could smell alcohol on the breath of one of your domestic or household sta...
What if you are, working for your employer as a member of domestic staff when out of the blue (as ...
A member of staff who works for you in a domestic and household staff capacity signs a confidentiali...
“WHAT IF….” YOU DISMISS YOUR DOMESTIC STAFF EMPLOYEE AND ARE TOLD THEY WILL TAKE Y...
You have employed a couple to work for you in the domestic and household staff capacity and as part ...
A recent study has shown the number of childminders in England has fallen by 10.000 in the last five...
Recent research suggests that up to six million workers in the UK are currently paid less than the L...
Age UK has recently revisited the issue of loneliness of many elderly people, but it may be surprisi...
It’s not just about starting the new tax year right, it’s about getting the end of year ...
Too worried to complain! It can only be described as disgusting that hundreds of thousands of elde...
A court case in the United States has highlighted issues which are relevant to all those who employ ...
The government is calling on all employers to reduce the pay gap between men and women. Now, while...
From 1 April 2016 workers aged 25 and over will be legally entitled to a new minimum pay rate of £7...
There are some changes to how benefits in kind can be processed for HMRC which may be of interest to...
From 1st April 2016 workers aged 25 and over will be entitled to a new minimum pay rate of £7.20 pe...
A massive increase in care home closures, the negative impact of this on the health of residents and...
It’s an often heard cry of despair and enough to break your heart, but when an elderly person need...
New and far reaching rights for agency workers are now in force in the UK. The new Agency Workers Re...
Tax breaks for many well-off working mothers who employ a range of domestic help could be in the off...
Under a recent change in employment legislation, the minimum period of service required before an em...
So you think you need a housekeeper? You lead a busy life style, your priorities don’t include loo...
What you see is not always what you get! The importance of verifying employment candidate references...
So, you are a working mum; perhaps a housekeeper takes a lot of the household concerns off your shou...
Rules for dismissing employees may soon undergo a dramatic shift as the government considers allowin...
Amid a raft of criticism of the UK government’s lack of commitment to an overhaul of social care, ...
It used to be a bit of a joke – the British comedies about making overtures to the au-pair or ...
How do you feel about your domestic staff – nanny, live-in carer, housekeeper, etc. – us...
Ask 100 elderly persons if they would rather move into a retirement home, or stay in their own home ...
From summer 2013 onwards, employees and employers are to be encouraged to mediate or settle a disput...
We have all heard the jokes and seen the films about the aging, doddery butler or the ancient housek...
As an employer of domestic staff, housekeeper, carer, nanny, etc., it pays to keep abreast of new an...
If you are paying your domestic staff in cash, beware, a new HM Customs and Revenue (HMRC) drive is ...
It’s a temptation when choosing a new employee, especially someone you have sourced yourself, to l...
Many of us employ immigrant workers, and the domestic staffing area is no exception, but following a...
How do YOU apply the working hours regime for your domestic staff? Are they full-time, or part-tim...
It’s been a busy morning; you have not stopped, so you grab a sandwich while you get on with what ...
I don’t have to enrol my nanny/housekeeper/carer, etc. into a pension scheme; I’m not a company,...
There have always been a number of avenues into a caring career and a number of reasons for choosing...
The UK government’s new plans for a radical shake-up of the parental leave system will have a dire...
If the domestic staff you employ are from overseas then a new crackdown by the UK Border Agency on i...
2012 saw a great many changes in employment law and there are even more planned for the future. Rece...
Social networking sites are becoming increasingly popular and, at the same time, some of the materia...
It is perhaps a strange notion that one’s friends and neighbours could request changes to their wo...
As an employer of domestic staff, and that includes you, even if you employ only one person, be it a...
When the care home provider Southern Cross collapsed last year, it created a nightmare scenario for ...
How many of us who employ domestic staff work from home? How many of those who employ domestic sta...
“I’m not the type of person to employ a nanny or housekeeper; it’s for the very well off and r...
New limits on certain Employment Tribunal awards and other payments under employment legislation wil...
They live the other side of the world, but face similar problems to us here in the UK in that they h...
We have written previously about judgements made by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) regard...
In the first instalment of this feature, we examined the problems which have beset some care homes a...
No one we know would knowingly employ an illegal immigrant as a member of their domestic staff, as a...
It’s a sad fact, but many of those who have reached a certain level of maturity and wish to retain...
We all try to be fair, yet do others always try to be fair to us? Let us imagine we have just hired ...
This article continues from The Invisibles, part 1. If a far greater number of the elderly were able...
A domestic staff member – housekeeper, carer, nanny, etc. – can very quickly become some...
In part 1 of this feature, we looked at how you deal with a domestic staff member’s long term sick...
There is an important change in dealing with breaches of health and safety regulations of which as a...
If a member of your domestic staff: housekeeper, carer, chauffeur, etc. falls ill and becomes, eff...
For those of us employing domestic staff, particularly where they interact with children or vulnerab...
It wasn’t too long ago that it was unusual for households in the UK to have domestic help, but the...
In parts one and two of this series we looked at the problem for many successful working and busines...
It may be true to say that from time to time we have all lost our temper with a domestic member of s...
There are many barriers already broken by women today: the boardroom, finance and politics to name b...
In part one of Breaking the Final Barrier we discussed the essential problem for many women, that of...
You send your housekeeper, nanny, chauffeur or indeed any member of your domestic staff out on an er...
As an employer of domestic staff you will either have been asked to provide a reference to a staff m...
If you haven’t heard the term ”workplace pensions” or if you have and don’t really compre...
When we read about employment issues, it’s easy for those of us who employ just one domestic staff...
It’s a tricky situation. You need childcare for your children – but not all the time. You prefer...
The Graham Agency has lots of exciting and well-paid temporary and one-off assignments. Register w...
You notice we have called the arrangement an “agreement” because it is still unclear legally i...
More for less. That’s what many councils are demanding of their care worker staff. But what is...
Part one: A time bomb for the future In the not too distant future, 2030+, some 160,000 elderly peop...
So, we were right all along. The Social Care Cap IS a con, a false hope distorted with smoke and m...
In the first instalment of this feature, we considered how the new Social Care Cap will not protect ...
… in selecting a care home. So how DO you know if the care home you choose for a parent is a s...
Is this the right way to run one of the leading countries in the world – on a volunteer system tha...
There are many afflictions which have to be borne by the elderly, but one which they should not have...
One of the modern issues that arise among our aging population is that all too often we fail to ackn...
With the Children and Families Act 2014 receiving Royal Assent on 13 March 2014, employees will have...
Most people would agree that during pregnancy, women have to be accorded some leeway for health, a...
Life as an employer just seems to get increasingly complicated. And just because you may only empl...
It would seem to be obvious, wouldn’t it? As part of the new Care Certificate for support workers ...
The impact of adverse reactions to food – dairy products and gluten being two major issues –...
If your housekeeper, chauffeur or any member of domestic staff wishes to work flexible hours, how do...
How caring do you have to be in respect of your domestic staff? The easy answer is “not at all”,...
A phrase from an advertisement often comes to mind when dealing with issues of employer/employee rel...
If you are considering taking on a domestic staff member, it may well be the first time you have eve...
It is sad, but true, that sometimes an employer/employee relationship has to end. In the domestic ...
A new ruling which could affect all UK employers and employees may well impact on the holiday pay en...
Diana Graham has recently written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, appealing for the Employment A...
Another care home has been closed recently, and not for the first time, the reason is lack of care s...
If you are an employer, of domestic staff, for instance, then sometimes the mere mention of HM Reven...
1 December 2014 was the start date for the introduction of Shared Parental Leave, three words which ...
Right now we have lots of clients who are currently seeking staff for housekeeping roles, whether as...
A recent BBC TV documentary focusing on the Philippines illustrated how the country is training thou...
6 April 2015 sees an important payroll change for anyone employing a member of domestic staff under ...
When you are looking for a way out… Everyone who employs a member of domestic staff always hopes t...
If you are an employer of between 1 and 49 staff, which is likely if you employ a nanny, cleaner, ho...
It’s not unusual for a housekeeper to help with the household’s children, preparing meals, walki...
Those employing domestic staff may be interested to read HMRC’s Employer Bulletin for August 2...
Have you just taken on your first employee and wondering how to get started with payroll? Why not ...
HMRC is holding a number of useful webinars for new employers in the coming weeks, covering subjects...
The UK government is strengthening its crackdown on the employment of illegal migrants. In the for...
If a member of your staff were to become seriously ill or die whilst in your employment, who would y...
When an offer of employment to an applicant to work within your household has been made subject to a...
Paying taxes and keeping one’s employee records in order may seem to be a chore, but it’...
Muggings and street assaults are regrettably not isolated incidents in the UK, particularly in large...
A recent survey by London-based domestic staff recruitment agency, The Graham Agency, has produced 1...
When someone comes to live in your home, as a housekeeper, nanny or carer, one takes all the usual p...
If you are a busy working mother at some point you may ask yourself: “Why am I doing this? So ...
As illegal immigration into the UK continues, a new risk is evolving for employers of domestic and h...
There are many households which employ domestic staff on a part-time basis, and some may well be usi...
As a member of domestic or household staff you may well have read news items recently about the Livi...
You may have read a recent news item which highlighted the fact that close to six million workers in...
It wasn’t many years ago that the term “social media” was a new one to many people...
Those of us who employ staff, domestic or household, have just become used to the concept of parenta...
What happens when one of your domestic staff fails to turn up for work? Do you have a policy in pl...
Domestic staff carers can provide the answer to care in your later life. It all depends on which sid...
Job offers for domestic staff in the Middle East may well appear romantic, and possibly well paid, b...
Many families retain a member of domestic staff on a part-time basis, some for the reason that there...
According to a recent report, over 40% of organisations have seen an increase in reported mental hea...
You may well run out of patience occasionally with a member of your domestic staff, but a recent leg...
