Signature Staff

FAQs

How does a nanny or other member of household staff in the UK pay tax?
Open How does a nanny or other member of household staff in the UK pay tax?

Your employer is responsible for operating a PAYE scheme for all permanent employees in their household.

This means you, the employee, will receive the net amount (after tax, pension contributions & student loan deductions) into their bank account on a monthly basis, with the tax, pension and other components automatically paid to HMRC, pension providers etc. respectively.

This will typically be done through Nannytax or an equivalent payroll provider.

What are the best household staff interview questions?
Open What are the best household staff interview questions?
  • Please outline your relevant qualifications for the role.
  • What do you enjoy about working in the role?
  • What skill-set do you have as a domestic staff member that make you a valuable asset to the household?
  • Our expectation is that within your role you would complete certain duties. Are there any duties outlined in the job description that you aren’t happy to undertake?
  • Do you have any dietary requirements?
  • Do you intend to stay in the house on your days off or go home?
What is a nanny housekeeper?
Open What is a nanny housekeeper?

The duties of a nanny housekeeper are wide ranging, depending on the requirements of the household, but in general they involve general household cleaning and tidying, laundry and ironing, cooking/help in the kitchen, and some lighter childcare duties including babysitting, school runs, etc.

What qualities make a good housekeeper?
Open What qualities make a good housekeeper?
  • Self-starter as opposed to needing significant direction
  • Strong cleaning and ironing skills
  • Good time-keeping organisation and appearance
  • Ability to work in a team
  • Easy to live alongside (if live-in housekeeper)
  • Ability to cope in an emergency
  • Respond well to direction
  • Reliability, honesty, and trustworthiness
How long does it take to hire a member of household staff?
Open How long does it take to hire a member of household staff?

The average time from start to finish is 2-6 weeks.

The Signature Staff team spend a significant amount of time drawing up a shortlist of candidates whom, based on both your domestic staff requirements and their skill-set and personality, are the best-fit for your domestic staffing requirements.

Additional time needs to be factored in for the client and candidate schedules for interviews.

Does the client incur travel costs when the employee starts a new position?
Open Does the client incur travel costs when the employee starts a new position?

The client is responsible for covering travel expenses at the start and end of the employment.

Over and above this, for overseas placements, 1-2 return flights to the candidate’s country of residence are typically included and will be set out in the employment contract.

Is there usually a trial period with overseas positions?
Open Is there usually a trial period with overseas positions?

A trial period is normally built into a probationary period in the contract.

For overseas positions how does payroll, tax and other employment obligations differ from the UK?
Open For overseas positions how does payroll, tax and other employment obligations differ from the UK?

Most countries have differing tax legislation. Your Signature Staff consultant will advise you on this if you apply for an overseas position.

Equivalently, your holiday entitlements will differ too, and will be set out in your employment contract.

What kind of visa does an employee need to work in the UK and overseas?
Open What kind of visa does an employee need to work in the UK and overseas?

In the UK, you need to hold a full working visa – there are a few options currently available, including a Tier 5 Youth Mobility Visa, a Spousal Visa, and an Ancestry Visa.

Currently, household staff are not able to be sponsored by employers to get visas.

For overseas positions (ex. UK), your Signature Staff consultant will assist you to ensure you apply for the requisite visas for your employee, and you, the Client, will also bear the costs of these.

How do I convert gross salary to net salary as an employer in the UK?
Open How do I convert gross salary to net salary as an employer in the UK?

The easiest way to convert gross salary into net salary (salary into your employee’s bank account after deductions) is to call your Signature Staff consultant [insert link to contact us page] and we’ll be able to advise you.

How do you pay a part-time member staff in the UK?
Open How do you pay a part-time member staff in the UK?

If you employ a nanny in a permanent part-time position, you are responsible for operating a PAYE scheme for all permanent employees in their household.

It is suggested that employers use Nannytax, a specialist outsourced payroll provider to undertake this. Nannytax will charge you an annual fee to look after this.

A temporary part-time nanny will be self-employed and hence an employer will pay the nanny the gross amount.

What are the employer’s obligations in the UK?
Open What are the employer’s obligations in the UK?

You, as the employer, will be responsible for paying all necessary tax, national insurance and pension contributions in addition to the employee’s net salary.

Signature Staff recommend using Nannytax, a specialist outsourced payroll provider to undertake this. Nannytax will charge you an annual fee to look. after this.

Nannytax will generate a monthly payslip for the employee detailing the net amount (after tax, pension contributions & student loan deductions) to be paid into the employee bank account by the employer.

The employer will also then settle both the employer & employee’s tax, pension and other obligations in a monthly payment to HMRC.

Your Signature Staff consultant will be able to secure a 10% discount on the Nannytax service.

Are nannies or other members of household staff employed or self-employed in the UK?
Open Are nannies or other members of household staff employed or self-employed in the UK?

All permanent employees in a household who work are employed, not self-employed.

Those candidates who work on a temporary basis (full-time or part-time) are self-employed and responsible themselves for declaring their income and meeting the accompanying tax obligations.

We advise all staff to talk in terms of a gross salary when accepting a new position, the agency can advise on standard rates of pay to expect.

How many years’ relevant work experience must a candidate have in order to register with Signature Staff?
Open How many years’ relevant work experience must a candidate have in order to register with Signature Staff?

We require a minimum of 3 years’ experience working in a private household.

What background checks do Signature Staff run on its candidates?
Open What background checks do Signature Staff run on its candidates?

All candidates who register with us need to meet our rigorous vetting process;

References: we require them to have at least 3  years’ experience with checkable references – we don’t just stop at two referees, we will try and reach every one of their past employers.

Face-to-Face Meeting: We ask all candidates to attend a face to face meeting at our Central London office, during this interview, we’ll verify their identity, working rights; site their documentation and make sure we have a thorough understanding of their skills, experience and what they’re looking for in a job.

Certificates:

  • Photo ID: either a valid passport or driving licence
  • Identity documentation: in date Passport, Driving Licence, Birth Certificate, NI No, etc
  • Proof of eligibility to work in the UK if seeking a position in the UK
  • Reasons for any gaps in employment
  • Original certificates to prove qualifications
  • An up-to-date DBS certificate (for those working with children)
  • An up-to-date First Aid certificate (for those working with children)
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