by Cherrine Banks

Created on: September 02, 2008   Last Updated: October 07, 2008

One of the perks to having a significant disposable income is the opportunity to hire a maid. Whether you decide to hire the maid on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis is a matter of personal choice. Before you make the important decision of having a maid it is crucial to examine specific questions including physical, legal, and financial.

Physical:

What will be the primary duties of the maid?

What are the maid's qualifications?
How long has he/she/they been a maid?
Can he/she perform additional duties such as childcare for additional pay?
Will the maid work a full-time shift or will it be a split shift?-Example) 10 to 3pm then 5 to 8pm.
Will you use a single, independent maid or a maid service?
Will the maid work on a temporary basis before establishing a longer employment term?

Legal:

Who will do the background check on the maid?
Does the maid/maid service have mininum of 3 to 5 recent references?
Are there enough copies of the employment contract including one for employer, one for employee, one of a maid service, if used, and one for employer's lawyer?
Will the maid be considered an independent contractor or an employee?
Is the maid licensed/bonded depending on your state's requirement?

Financial:

What are the fees?
Will he/she be paid based by hour, day, or salary?
Is there reasonable compensation for days off/vacation/medical insurance?
Will additional duties be compensated via money or work-life perks such as extra day off?
Are the fees refunded if contractual obligations are not met within a predetermined time frame?
Will one additional bonus pay be given for one or two weeks notice? (nice perk)

This list is should be considered a guideline and questions may be added or deleted based on preference.

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