Regular Reviews with Domestic Employees Puts Everyone At Ease

When hiring someone to work in your home, establish ground rules early to inform new hires that regular reviews will be done to assess how things are going. Whether you have a nanny, housekeeper, personal chef or other domestic employee, regular reviews help everyone understand what is expected and what should be changed.

Let new employees know there will be a three-month, six-month, nine-month, and twelve-month review and that raises can be discussed during those reviews. Having an understanding from the beginning lets new employees know that there will be opportunities to discuss their issues and concerns. Let them know you are open to hearing those concerns so they feel comfortable discussing them with you.

Before each review, have your employee complete a self-evaluation form to bring with them on the day of the review. This is a great way for employees to see how they can improve on their performance, allowing for a more open dialogue. As an employer, have your own evaluation report that you can compare with your employee's. Point out the positive before discussing the negative so your employees do not feel they need to be on the defensive, but don't "sugar coat" the negative comments or the areas needing improvement. Go over the original work agreement to ensure that all duties and expectations are being met.
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THE SIX-MONTH REVIEW
Again, this is a good time for both parties to discuss any concerns and to discuss the possibility of a raise. If there are any changes on the horizon, let your employee know well in advance so they are not caught off guard. Discuss the day to day routines and whether you would like to see things done differently so they are aware of any shortcomings and have an opportunity to correct any problems. If appropriate, offer suggestions or specific things they can do to improve in the areas. Use the evaluation forms from the previous reviews and compare them to see what changes have been made.

THE NINE-MONTH REVIEW
Again using the evaluation process, the nine-month review offers an opportunity to encourage employees to take more initiative for improvements as sometimes they can become too comfortable in their routines and may not be performing up to your expectations. Remind them of their duties and what you would like to see improved over the coming months. Use the evaluation forms from all the previous reviews and compare them to see what changes have been made.

THE TWELVE-MONTH REVIEW
By now, you and your employee have a well-established working relationship. Both parties should discuss what is expected in the coming year. It's also appropriate to discuss a raise and when it will go into effect, taking into account cost of living increases. Talk about changes you'd like to see and don't forget to give praise where it's due. If you've agreed to a one year contract, find out if your employee is happy and whether they intend to continue working for you.

A LASTING RELATIONSHIP
By using your own evaluations and self-evaluations for employees during each review, both parties can talk about issues and improvements in a constructive and positive manner.

After the first year, annual reviews should be sufficient and will be a good platform for discussing raises. Keeping the lines of communication open at all times is key to a positive and lasting working relationship. By establishing trust and a pleasant working environment, your domestic employee can feel appreciated and comfortable. An unhappy worker is more likely to quit suddenly and without notice, leaving you scrambling for a help.

Once you've found the right domestic employee, be sure you are clear about what you expect from them. If everyone is on the same page and both parties feel comfortable enough talking with one another, it can result in a long and happy alliance to keep your family happy and your home running smoothly.

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