How to Hire a Nanny by Guy Maddalone

Author:Guy Maddalone
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2013-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

FACTS AND FIGURES

WHERE EMPLOYERS LEARN ABOUT HOUSEHOLD EMPLOYEE MANAGEMENT

Source: GTM Household Employer Employment Trends 2011

Introductory Elements for Employee Handbook

There are many elements important to an employee handbook. You may want to begin your employee handbook with a welcome letter to your employee and an at-will statement. Virtually all states are employment at-will states. To what degree states uphold the doctrine regarding employers’ rights to discharge employees varies by state. The at-will statement may be included in the welcome letter to the employee, or it may stand alone as a separate written policy. Either way, it may be best for you to include the statement at the front of the employee handbook, thus clearly providing the employee with the at-will condition. Employers should be particularly careful to not create unintended liabilities in the language used in an employee handbook that creates an impression that employees can only be dismissed for cause. For example, by including procedures that will follow with regard to discipline or termination. To minimize this, it is advisable to include an unambiguous disclaimer in the handbook that says that it does not create contractual rights and that the employment relationship is at-will. This can also be done by using a sample at-will employment statement, as in the Sample Work Agreement Sections, pages 166 (also see Appendix E, page 371). Some states make this mandatory.

In today’s world, there are many technologies used to keep you informed and in touch—and even entertained. However, not all technology should be accessed during the workday, and it is a good idea to include your policies about the use of technology in the home. As an employer, you need to set your policy on an employee’s access to and use of your computer, the Internet, text messaging, mobile phone, handheld devices, tablet computers, television, or digitally recorded movies or shows. The employee handbook should also include your preference on how much time an employee can use his or her own technological gadgets. No one wants a nanny who is constantly texting their friends rather than playing with the children. In addition, you may also need to set a policy for any equipment—your car, exercise machines, landline telephone—that is on the premises and may or may not be available to your employees. Take care in developing your policies, as your employee may need to use your equipment in order to perform his or her work duties.

It may be relevant to include policies on how to handle visitors to the home. During the course of the day or work shift, an employee may need to manage guests, visitors, or service professionals that may need or request access to the employer’s home or property.

For a policy on dealing with service people, vendors or contractors, you may want to specify the nanny’s or other household employee’s involvement with repairmen, service professionals, and so on.

Following are sample sections of an employee handbook taken from GTM’s Household HR Document service.

Sample Work Agreement Sections

Welcome Letter

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