Living
Domestic Help
Domestic help in New York City is largely for the economically privileged, but not uncommon. Indeed, housekeepers, maids, au pairs and nannies are a New York growth industry.
No matter what help you seek, personal recommendations and references offer invaluable insights. Beyond that, professional agencies are an impeccable resource. To find the right person for your needs, you’ll pay a princely sum – several thousand dollars, sometimes a percentage of a gross annual salary – to interview and conduct background checks on candidates. But you’ll get a keen look at your potential domestic, from their credit record, driving report, and any evidence of federal, state or local misconduct to their special skills: medical knowledge, academic prowess, culinary wizardry and overall demeanour.
Rates vary wildly. For maids, live-out can be far costlier than live-in: rates of $12-30/hour, $700-2,000/week and $2,000-5,000/month are not unheard of, again depending on specific requirements. Average work-weeks are five to six days/45-55 hours per week; overtime, vacation, holidays and insurance are usually contractual matters negotiated through agencies or, in rare cases, directly with the help. While domestics are one of the few employment types not covered under the legal minimum wage, for the most highly prized individuals, you’ll need to compensate by whatever the market will bear.
It is extremely important that employer and employee report all domestics’ compensation to the government and that the employee is legally permitted to work in the US. For more information, visit www.4nannytaxes.com (for satisfying tax requirements), and obtain a New York State Department of Taxation and Finance publication, What You Need to Know if You Hire Domestic Help (www.tax.state.ny.us). In 2003, the New York City Council passed a bill requiring agencies and employers to inform domestics of their rights. You must sign a document affirming your understanding of the law before anyone begins their duties.
No matter what help you seek, personal recommendations and references offer invaluable insights. Beyond that, professional agencies are an impeccable resource. To find the right person for your needs, you’ll pay a princely sum – several thousand dollars, sometimes a percentage of a gross annual salary – to interview and conduct background checks on candidates. But you’ll get a keen look at your potential domestic, from their credit record, driving report, and any evidence of federal, state or local misconduct to their special skills: medical knowledge, academic prowess, culinary wizardry and overall demeanour.
Rates vary wildly. For maids, live-out can be far costlier than live-in: rates of $12-30/hour, $700-2,000/week and $2,000-5,000/month are not unheard of, again depending on specific requirements. Average work-weeks are five to six days/45-55 hours per week; overtime, vacation, holidays and insurance are usually contractual matters negotiated through agencies or, in rare cases, directly with the help. While domestics are one of the few employment types not covered under the legal minimum wage, for the most highly prized individuals, you’ll need to compensate by whatever the market will bear.
It is extremely important that employer and employee report all domestics’ compensation to the government and that the employee is legally permitted to work in the US. For more information, visit www.4nannytaxes.com (for satisfying tax requirements), and obtain a New York State Department of Taxation and Finance publication, What You Need to Know if You Hire Domestic Help (www.tax.state.ny.us). In 2003, the New York City Council passed a bill requiring agencies and employers to inform domestics of their rights. You must sign a document affirming your understanding of the law before anyone begins their duties.
