Managing Staff in your residence

Managing a fully staffed residence or large estate is a complex responsibility. Here are some tips in managing staff and keeping your home running smoothly.

  1. Have a written copy of each member’s schedule for the week. Give everyone on staff a copy of their job description so you are all on the same page.

  2. Clearly define specific roles of each staff member in writing so there is no confusion/overlapping of duties. Employee Manuals are recommended for large estates with fully staffed teams.

  3. Avoid over-staffing your residence. Clearly define the roles of each person.

  4. Avoid becoming short-staffed, make each staff member understand that in the absence of other staff members, they are required to pitch in to fill the void, temporarily until a replacement is found.

  5. Revise job duties, add the changes to the original job agreement / employee contract and make sure the staff member acknowledges verbally and signs the physical document so you are both on the same page about proper compensation. Original job roles are aligned with original compensation agreements, which may need to be revised if you are adding extra time-consuming duties to their to-do list.

  6. If you find yourself becoming overwhelmed, too busy or perhaps simply prefer someone else to supervise the staff, it may be time to hire a House manager, Estate Manager or Chief of Staff. Fully staffed environments need proper delegation in place to provide and maintain structure.

Healthy communication, honest dialogue about preferences and requirements and maintaining professional relationships are the key to long-lasting staffing arrangements. Working with our agency provides solutions to your staffing concerns. Inquire for details.