Do proper checks on people you employ to safeguard your loved ones and home
In today’s busy world, most households need a domestic worker, be it an au pair, babysitter, house help, caregiver or gardener. And, very often, the desperation to get someone hired overshadows the crucial need to conduct proper background checks on these people.
Employing staff to work on your property is not a decision to be taken lightly – for many reasons.
The job description of a domestic helper can be immense, often involving the care of the elderly or children, housework and cooking.
Many moms and dads are working from home these days, but still need the help around the house to enable them to cope. Choosing reliable and loyal domestic helpers is essential to safeguarding your home and family, whether you are home or not.
One way of ensuring proper vetting is to hire staff through a reputable agency. Unfortunately, even references from family or friends is not a fail-safe these days
The basic information you should get before hiring someone:
- Full names
- Nicknames
- Residential address
- ID number/passport number
- References (as many as possible and visit the previous employers in person if you can)
- Certified copies of all ID documents
Supplementary information:
- ID photo
- Family details
- Next of kin
- Medical history
- Police clearance certificate/criminal record check
Domestic staff are now eligible for workers’ compensation if they are injured on your property. This after the Constitutional Court ruled parts of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) are unconstitutional.
According to the National Employers’ Labour Association (NELA), the amendment to the Act, yet to be promulgated, is retrospective, which means cases dating back to 2004 will be eligible for compensation.
Submitted by Emma Dunk.
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