Signature Staff

FAQs

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 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 either Stafftax (https://www.stafftax.co.uk/) or Nannytax (https://www.nannytax.co.uk/), a specialist outsourced payroll provider to undertake this. Both Stafftax and Nannytax will charge you an annual fee to manage the pyaroll process for the part-time permanent member of staff.

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

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.

What happens if a permanent placement doesn’t work out?
Open What happens if a permanent placement doesn’t work out?

Signature Staff employ a rigorous matching policy to ensure the chosen candidate is the best-fit for your household based on your requirements and the candidates’ skill-set and personality.

However, extremely infrequently unforeseen challenges can arise for either or both parties.

Should the original candidate leave in the initial 10 week period (10 weeks from the start of employment) for reasons other than employer misconduct, Signature Staff will seek to find a replacement (at no cost).

Who provides the employment contract to be agreed between the member of household staff and the employer?
Open Who provides the employment contract to be agreed between the member of household staff and the employer?

Your Signature Staff consultant can provide a draft contract of employment for you should you require this.

The consultant will also advise you as to the standard terms currently prevailing in the market at that particular point in time.

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.

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.

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.

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