You need to trust your domestic staff, whether they’re cleaners, nannies, gardeners, drivers, housekeepers, or security. In this post we’ll discuss how you can effectively recruit and vet your domestic staff to ensure total peace of mind.
Our High Net Worth insurance team is always on hand to discuss how you can best protect your most valuable assets. If you want to discuss your needs, get in touch on 0208 290 9086 or email us at personal@anthonyjones.com.
The Risks of Hiring Unvetted Domestic Staff
If you work with unvetted domestic staff, then there’s a chance that you’ll invite criminal activity into your home.
There’s the risk of petty theft – a cleaner lifting some cash, or a valuable object, they find lying around. But it could also lead to more serious crime.
What if your unvetted domestic staff member becomes the “person on the inside”, who passes on valuable information to criminal gangs? It’s really no exaggeration to say that hiring unvetted domestic staff could make you more vulnerable to armed robbery.
Essential Vetting Checks To Perform on Every Member of Domestic Staff You Hire
- DBS Check – A DBS check can let you know whether an individual has a criminal record. If you’re hiring someone to work with children, or to provide healthcare services, you can perform an enhanced check. This will let you know if the individual is on any lists that might bar them from the role. Learn more about DBS checks here.
- ID Check – Is the person really who they say they are? Find out through requesting photographic ID, such as a passport or a driving licence. This will also let you know if the person has the legal right to work in the UK.
- Financial Check – If the individual is in serious debt, or if they have a bad credit history, then they may be more susceptible to bribes or coercion from criminals. You can request financial checks to get an idea of your candidates’ financial health.
- References – Request at least two references from previous employees. And make sure you contact these references – don’t just take them for granted.
- Licences – Some roles may require specialist licences or training. For example, any security staff you hire should have an up to date SIA licence.
Working With Domestic Staff Agencies
Use an agency to source domestic staff, and they should perform all necessary background checks and vetting processes for you. They may also provide specialist training, along with skill assessments and trial periods.
If you’re working with an agency, you should:
- Ask about their vetting process, to ensure they’re covering all ground.
- Ask for copies of certain documents, including ID and any relevant licences, so that you’ll have your own record should you need it.
- Provide as much information as you can about the staff you require. Share your specific needs and preferences, and they’ll help you find the candidates that meet your requirements.
Hiring Your Own Domestic Staff
If you don’t want to work with an agency, then you’ll have to do all of your recruiting yourself. This means you’ll also have to do all necessary background checks yourself. You’ll have to draw up your own contacts for each role, and you’ll have to conduct all interviews too.
This will take a lot of work, but it will also give you full control over the entire process. However, if anything goes wrong with anyone you hire, then you’ll also have to manage the disciplinary procedure yourself. And if you need to dismiss your domestic staff, you’ll be back at square one.
Does Your Insurance Cover You For Domestic Staff?
Your standard home insurance will not cover some of the risks associated with hiring domestic staff to work in your home. You’ll have to invest in certain additional forms of cover:
- Employer’s liability insurance – This will cover your domestic staff for any accidents, illnesses, or injuries they may sustain while on the job. If you’re working through an agency, then they may have their own cover in place for any staff they send your way. But be sure to check, just in case.
- Fidelity insurance – If you do fall victim to theft, fraud, or other forms of crime as a result of hiring domestic staff to work on your property, then fidelity insurance can cover you for any losses you sustain.
- Contents insurance – If you keep valuables in the home, then you should consider specialist high net worth insurance to cover any items that wouldn’t be included in your standard home insurance policy cover limit.
At Anthony Jones, we can help you ensure you’re fully covered for the many risks associated with domestic staff.
Our High Net Worth insurance team is always on hand to discuss how you can best protect your home and your most valuable assets. If you want to discuss your needs, get in touch on 0208 290 9086 or email us at personal@anthonyjones.com.
