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Household FAQ's
This information is based on questions frequently asked by clients who are considering employing household staff. SLM's consultants are always pleased to give information regarding any questions you might have.
How does SLM source candidates for Household roles?
What vetting procedure does SLM have in place for candidates?
Will SLM make sure that a candidate has a Criminal Records Bureau check(CRB)?
I am considering employing live-in staff. What kind of accommodation will I need to provide?
Will SLM organise payment of salaries for my staff?
Do I need to pay tax and National Insurance contributions for my staff?
Will SLM provide a contract for my staff?
Can I be sure that your candidates are legally allowed to work in the UK?
Will SLM organise a visa if my candidate needs one?
How does SLM source candidates for Household roles?
SLM has built up a large pool of experienced candidates over the 13 years that it has been established. As with clients, many of our candidates register with us following a personal recommendation from a friend who is already registered. We also proactively recruit for positions by advertising in specialist magazines and websites. Our own website is updated daily with available positions and we appear favourably on search engines where candidates seeking work find us.
What vetting procedure does SLM have in place for candidates?
Our experienced consultants will meet candidates in person and go through a detailed history of their past employment. To register with SLM, candidates must have a minimum of 3 years experience working in a private household, or five years of experience to register as a Chauffeur.
After a candidate is registered with SLM, we will discuss specific job vacancies with them and assess their suitability for each individual role before putting them forward. The candidate provides SLM written with references from previous employers which are also verbally checked by SLM.
Back to topWill SLM make sure that a candidate has a Criminal Records Bureau check(CRB)?
Yes. SLM requires all candidates who are offered a position to have a CRB check. Although SLM is not legally permitted to pass on the results of a CRB check to an employer, candidates may show you their own disclosure information.
More information on CRBs can be found at www.crb.gov.uk
I am considering employing live-in staff. What kind of accommodation will I need to provide?
The quality of the accommodation provided with a live-in role is often crucial to a candidate's decision about whether to accept a job offer. While some candidates will be happy with their own bedroom and en suite bathroom, separate accommodation, or accommodation with its own entrance is generally preferred. We advise employers to inspect their staff accommodation regularly and assess whether repairs or improvements are required. If you are employing live-in staff, you should also consider whether you are willing to accept pets or dependents in the accommodation.
Will SLM organise payment of salaries for my staff?
SLM is an introducton agency rather than an employment agency. As such, we do not directly employ the staff and do not pay their salaries. As an employer, you will be responsible for paying staff salaries. We can suggest several agencies which can help to arrange this for a minimal cost.
Do I need to pay tax and National Insurance contributions for my staff?
If you employ staff who are paid more than £105 a week then you are legally obliged to pay Employer's National Insurance contributions. Although this may seem a daunting task there are a number of agencies that can help to organise this for a minimal cost. For example
Will SLM provide a contract for my staff?
We recommend that all employers draw up a formal contract with their staff, covering working hours, salary, holiday allowance and other relevant aspects of the role. SLM can provide a sample contract which you may wish to adapt for your own needs, but this is for example purposes only. You may have your own contract or may wish to take legal advice on creating a contract. SLM offers an Employment Law Health Check in partnership with law firm K&L Gates which can review existing contracts or help to create contracts for new staff. Call Sophie Hazell on 0207 828 2188 or speak to an SLM consultant for more information.
Can I be sure that your candidates are legally allowed to work in the UK?
SLM does not register candidates unless they already have the right to work in the UK. When candidates first visit our offices we check their identity documents and ensure that any visas or work permits are in order. If you require a candidate to work abroad or to travel with you outside the UK, you should speak to your SLM consultant about this in advance so that we can ensure candidates have or can obtain suitable rights to work and travel abroad.
Will SLM organise a visa if my candidate needs one?
SLM is unable to assist candidates on their applications for visas since we are not legally qualified to do so. However, our consultants are always on hand to give help and advice.
