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What duties can I expect from a Butler/ Household Manager?
Nowadays, the Butler has evolved and is required to be a person of many skills, being able to execute them to the highest of levels. There is really no longer a Butler that just greets the guest’s and serves dinners. The Butler has to be adaptable and ready to take on new responsibilities.
The Butlers responsibilities can require them to oversee more than one household. If a part of the Butlers duties involve supervision of other domestic staff for one or more of the households, then the Butler would often be referred to as a Household Manager. In this case, other duties would involve the hiring and organising of theses staff members, which may include Housekeepers, Chef’s and Chauffeurs. Other responsibilities will be seeing to contractors, hands on with smaller maintenance jobs inside and outside the home. They may also be required to become a Personal Assistant to their employer, being able to carry out basic administrative duties, keeping accounts on Excel and correspond via emails.
There will be some households that require the Butler to do light cooking, perhaps preparing dinners for a couple or the children in the family. Other duties could involve Valeting, which refers to the care of his clients wardrobe. If the household is extremely large, this role can often fall into a job of its own, where the Under Butler would carry out these duties. An Under Butler is also known as a Footman but this term is used less and less nowadays, other than in Royal palaces.
What accommodation will a Butler expect?
Butlers and Household Managers will expect separate accommodation. This may be a separate part to the household, or if working on a larger estate, they would require a separate cottage. They would usually also expect the employer to cover the costs for the utility bills.
Will a Butler/ Household Manager work weekends?
Being flexible is key to working within private households and estates. There are positions that require a Daily Butler Monday to Friday, with most weekends off. However, there will be occasions where the Client may be entertaining, therefore requiring their Butler to work. Often the employer and Butler will agree on a mutually convenient day off in lieu.
Other Households or Estate may require the Butler to work all or part of the weekends. There are Butlers and House managers who are very aware of this way in working, therefore have other days off in the week to compensate for this.
Does the Butler/Household Manager wear a uniform?
Butlers and House Managers are always required to present themselves in a smart and professional way. Depending on the household, the employer may require the Butler to wear the traditional Butlers uniform, which would comprise of Morning trousers, white shirt and black waistcoat and jacket. Other employers may be happy for their Butler/House Manager to be presented in a smart suit and tie.
Will the Butler/Household Manager travel with the family?
You will find that most Butlers and Household Manger are very willing to travel with their employer on occasions when required. Travelling to accompany children of the family is also common. However, if there is extensive travelling throughout the year, often this will fall under the role of a Travelling Butler, who is specifically employed for this purpose.
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What cars do the Chauffeurs drive?
Depending on their previous jobs, chauffeurs would have had experience in driving a full range of vehicles from Range Rovers to Bentleys and Ferraris
What are the core hours for Chauffeur?
The core hours for a Chauffeur are hard to pin down sometimes as this depends on the position, however the number of hours per week would normally be 40 hours and anything on top would be paid as over time. The Chauffeur would normally work Monday to Friday 7 am – 7pm , but they are flexible on the hours and days of work
What other duties will a Chauffeur do?
Depending on the Chauffeur the list of jobs they are happy to do are:
General DIY , Security, Taking the dog for a walk and acting as an normal Butler or PA
Will the Chauffeur take the children to school?
The Chauffeur will take the children to school and take them to any after school activities. We advice that if this is to be part of their job that a CRB should be done if it has not been done already. (We do this at our office).
Do I need to pay for over time for the Chauffeur?
Over time needs to be paid at an hourly rate of usually £15-20 per hour.
What is a PCO licence for Chauffeurs?
All private hire drivers in the London area (anywhere within the M25) must be licensed by Transport for London, and more specifically the Public Carriage Office (PCO). Not only is this the law, it also means your passengers will know you provide a safe and reliable service. You will need to have a PCO License to gain employment and any operator hiring drivers without this could lose their PCO operator’s license. The PCO license also conduct Enhanced CRB checks
Will Chauffeurs wear a suit?
They usually wear a suit or dress smart casually.
Will Chauffeurs travel?
Chauffeurs are usually happy to travel out of London and overseas. All their expenses and travel costs should be covered for this.
Can I ask the Chauffeur to look after the cleaning and maintenance of the car including all the records?
It is usually the responsibly of the Chauffeur to clean the car both inside and outside. They will also ensure that all the records are kept up to date . The car is entirely their responsibly including taking the vehicles to the garage and basic mechanics
How many years experience do our Chauffeurs have on our books before we register them?
We only register chauffeurs with a minimum of 5 years experience as either a private or corporate Chauffeur. They must have worked as a Chauffeur in the last two years and should have worked for their employer for a minimum of 2 years on a full time bases.
Will Chauffeurs provide their own car?
It is normally the Client’s responsibility to provide the car for the Chauffeur to drive. Although they may have their own car to get to and from work, it is not uncommon for the Chauffeur to their employers car to commute to work and from work.
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What duties can I expect from a couple?
The duties will depend very much on the family who they are working for but Couples will generally both work full-time and cover all housekeeping/cleaning tasks and handyman duties. In addition couples may have specialist skills in the garden, be a great dinner part cook or have formal Butler skills.
Most couples will be multi-skilled and flexible and come as a ready made team.
Start with a wish list with what is most important to you an your household and your consultant will always be happy to discuss the options
What accommodation will a couple expect?
The general rule is the better the accommodation, the wider the choice of candidates. The most couples will be looking for a minimum of self contained accommodation, ideally not within the main property. This really is only so that a couple can have their own space on their time off and this also works in favour of the family!
What happens if the couple no longer want to work together?
Normally an employer will specify in a contract that the employment of one of the couple is dependent on the other – it is advised that Clients take legal advise on this point.
Each part of the couple should be employed as an individual so each will have their own gross annual salary and normally individual contracts.
Will a couple work weekends?
Most jobs will fall into one of three options – working all weekends, no weekends or occasional weekends.
If you use you home at weekends only, a couple will understand that they will take their two days off on consecutive weekdays (normally Tuesday and Wednesday).
Discuss this with your consultant as it is important that these expectations are set at the beginning of the search.
Will a couple want the same days off as each other?
Yes it would be expected that a couple will always have the same days off as each other. There are of course some occasions when this might not be possible but it should not be the norm.
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What are the different types of gardener?
Estate Manager/Head Gardener - Overseeing a private estate as well as the garden
Head Gardener – Overseeing other gardeners as well as being totally hands on himself
Sole Gardener – Runs the garden on his own
Under-Gardener – Working under the direction of a Head Gardener
We also place multi-tasking roles Gardener/Handyman and Gardener/Handyman/Driver
What duties can I expect from my gardener?
A gardener will take on a wide range of duties depending on his role in the garden and your garden, including traditional gardening duties plus he/she may also be responsible for running a budget, woodland management, security of a property, driving duties, handyman duties and care of pets and horses.
What accommodation can a gardener expect?
Accommodation normally goes to the Head Gardener ahead of any under gardeners so that he can be on site and take totally responsibility for the garden. Accommodation varies but most Head Gardeners prefer to have a property with a small self contained garden so that they can garden in their spare time, and many have family and pets to come with.
What are the average hours for a gardener to work?
Most gardeners work five full days, many start as early as 7/8 am and finish around 4pm to make the most of the days light hours.
Will a gardener work weekends?
During the busy summer months many gardeners work on the weekends to cover a busier work load, watering duties and if the garden is open to the public.
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What duties can I expect from a rural housekeeper?
Housekeepers will generally do hands on cleaning, washing and Ironing. They might be expected to deal with contractors, answer the telephone and meet and greet guests as well. Some housekeepers will help look after pets, walk the dog etc. In addition a housekeeper may have an additional role as a nanny or as a cook or a combination of such duties.
What accommodation will a rural housekeeper expect?
As a minimum they will expect their own bedroom and bathroom. The more experienced housekeepers in the country would be looking for separate self contained accommodation with all bills and utilities covered aside from telephone. Many country housekeepers also have pets as well so provision for their accommodation would also need to be taken into consideration.
Will a rural housekeeper work weekends?
Most country housekeepers prefer not to work weekends, but are flexible and will work the occasional weekend by arrangement. Housekeepers for shooting estates and for second properties recognise that they will be required to work weekends and will have their days off during the week in lieu.
Does the rural housekeeper wear a uniform?
In the main a housekeeper in the countryside will not expect to have to wear a uniform unless they are in a formal household.
What are the average hours for a rural housekeeper?
A country housekeeper will expect to work approximately 40 hours per week, 8 hours per day. A live in housekeeper is generally more flexible in the arrangement of hours as they are able to take time off during the afternoon before coming back in the evening without the necessity for a commute to and from home.
Will the rural housekeeper travel with the family?
Most country housekeepers would not expect to travel with a family, however the majority are flexible and if their personal commitments allow ( eg. If they don’t have pets, children or partners) are often happy to oblige.
Will Housekeepers Travel with the family if required?
It depends on the personal circumstances of the Candidate, Live in Candidates tend to do so, however live out Candidates may be more limited in how frequently and for how long they can be away for due to personal commit
What are the average hours and days for a Daily Housekeeper?
In general, Monday to Friday to work between 8-10 hours per day
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What duties can I expect from a PA?
Agendas ~ daily schedule of events, private/business appointments, dealing with on-going messages, opening and dealing with mail, anticipating Clients’ needs
Extensive diary management and complex travel itineraries
Events ~ organising parties, liaising with caterers and booking venues
Property and staff management
General errands ~ shopping for presents, sending cards/invitations, collecting dry cleaning etc.
Basic accounts
Travel with an employer
What accommodation will a PA expect?
Generally our PA’s are looking for live-out but some are flexible
Will a PA work weekends?
Depends on the Candidate but most are flexible
What are the average hours for a PA?
If full time usually around 48hrs per week but most are flexible with their time and some are on call 24/7
Will the PA travel with the family?
Depends on the candidate’s circumstances but generally yes
Do you do corporate PA’s as well as private?
We mainly provide PA’s for the Private Household and Private Family Offices. We have a mixture of high calibre PA’s who have worked in both the private and corporate sector so we are familiar with both and happy to assist a Client on either front.
Do you provide short term and part time PA’s?
Together with full time, permanent PA’s we are also able to provide both short term and part time PA’s depending on the Clients’ needs.
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What is the most effective interview process for me to follow with international candidates?
Where a candidate is living in a different country or currently travelling, we recommend you arrange an initial telephone or skype video interview. Time and expense can be saved by introducing this first step to the process. The next step would be to arrange a personal interview with the candidate.
Do I pay interview travel expenses?
If a candidate is required to travel internationally to an interview, travel and accommodation and reasonable subsistence expenses are usually paid by the client
Do you meet all of your International candidates? How do you pre-screen your candidates?
Due to logistics, we do not meet every single international candidate. We do however conduct a full telephone and /or video Skype interview. The international team frequently travel internationally to meet with candidates throughout the year. We request copies of passports, identity cards, and references. If we have not seen an original passport, candidates are requested to take original documents with them to an interview for verification by the client.
What is the statutory holiday entitlement for international candidates?
Full time employees’ statutory holiday entitlement varies depending on the country where the candidate is to be employed . It is the responsibility of the client to ensure the legal requirements relating to annual leave are met. To attract the very best candidates, it may be necessary to match or improve the individuals’ current holiday entitlement.
Do I need to provide an employment contract?
Employment law varies depending on where the candidate is to be employed. When drawing up a Contract of Employment, Greycoat advises clients to seek professional advice from an employment lawyer within the country where the candidate will be working. Greycoat does not provide international employment contracts.
Do salary and benefits packages vary greatly from UK remuneration packages?
Salaries and benefits vary from country to country. Factors such as the cost of living, whether accommodation is provided, levels of tax and availability of candidates in the marketplace all affect salary levels. Speak to a Greycoat International Consultant who will be able to advise you on the country you are seeking to recruit in.
Do I need to provide live in Accommodation?
If a candidate is relocating from another country and the position does not include live-in accommodation, it is standard practice to provide accommodation for the first 3 months of employment. Greycoat recommends clients keep an open mind and remain flexible when considering whether to employ live-in or live-out household staff, in order to attract the best candidates.
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Greycoat can provide you with sample job descriptions which can be added to and made specific to each member of staff employed.
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All permanent staff should be provided with a contract of employment within the first 8 weeks of employment, which is signed by the Candidate and Client.
This contract should be signed and dated by you and your employee. It should include:
· The full names and addresses of the parties involved.
· Start date.
· Job title or description
· Pay, including holiday entitlement and sick pay
· Place of work
· Hours of employment
· Disciplinary, grievance and appeal procedures
· Pension information
· Notice periods
· Any collective agreements
· Duration of contract if not permanent
· Whether the employee is expected to work outside the UK for more than a month (and, if so, under what terms)
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Full time employees are entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks paid annual leave - 28 days for someone working five days a week (capped at a statutory maximum of 28 days for all working patterns).
Part-time workers are entitled to the same level of holiday pro rata (so 5.6 times your usual working week, eg 22.4 days for someone working four days a week).
Bank and public holidays are normally included in your minimum entitlement.
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Greycoat Payroll
If you employ a member of staff in your household and they are paid more than £97.00 per week you have the same legal responsibilities as a commercial employer. These obligations can be very time consuming and complex therefore Greycoat Placements have teamed up with Stafftax, the market leaders in household payroll support and advice, to create Greycoat Payroll and offer clients direct access not only to a dedicated payroll provider but also, for those who subscribe, access to an Employment Law helpline.
By subscribing to Greycoat Payroll you will get peace of mind of knowing that all your statutory obligations are taken care of and that your staff’s rights as an employee are being properly looked after.
An Employer has a Legal Requirement to do the following:
• Register with HMRC as an employer
• Deduct employee’s Tax and National Insurance contributions
• Pay employer’s National Insurance contributions
• Provide Payslips to the Employee
• Provide an annual summary of payments and deductions
Greycoat Payroll - The Service we provide:
• Payslips for your employees
• Quarterly summary of monies due to HMRC
• Special rates for Multiple Employees
• Specialists in Part-time Employment
• Ensure compliance with Statutory Liabilities
• Keeping you up-to-date with tax changes
• Online advice and guidance - because we recognise that time is of an essence to busy working professionals and that you may not always be able to contact us during office hours
• Electronic filing of End of year returns
Plus
• Unlimited Access to Employment Law Advice Helpline
The Alternatives
• Not declaring employment is a criminal offence and can result in heavy penalties.
• Not declaring a full salary also affects an employee’s rights to unemployment benefit, state pension and Statutory Maternity Pay.
• Self Employment is not usually an option for domestic employees as they do not meet the HMRC criteria for self employment
• Using an accountant is usually far more expensive
and….quite simply doing it yourself is not that easy!
Fees
• Low-Cost Fixed Fee service is outstanding value for money – that’s why Accountants and Lawyers use our service too.
• Annual subscription currently £270.00 (including VAT) for your first employee and £235.00 for the next three employees.
Subscription
• To subscribe please click here (you will be re-directed to a new page, hosted by Stafftax)
• or call 0844 871 1696
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The notice period should be stated in the contract of employment. A month’s notice would be the standard however Candidates who have a Managerial position in the house maybe asked to give more notice i.e. 3 months. (Statutory is only 1 week for every year you have worked there to a max of 12 hence why its important to have a contract if you expect the standard of 1 month)
Every household is different and the above is a guideline.
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We do not charge a fee for searching for Candidates. A fee is only due if we have placed a Candidate with you, on a short term or permanent basis.
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Candidates attending interviews in and around London are not normally paid for interview expenses. When Candidates are attending interviews outside of London it is discretionary, we recommend that a contribution is made depending on how far the Candidate is travelling. When Candidates are attending 2nd interviews it is standard that Clients pay the travel expenses
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Adult workers cannot be forced to work more than 48 hours a week on average - this is normally averaged over 17 weeks. You can work more than 48 hours in one week, as long as the average over 17 weeks is less than 48 hours per week. If you are 18 or over and wish to work more than 48 hours a week, you can choose to opt out of the 48 hour limit. This must be voluntary and in writing. It can't be an agreement with the whole workforce
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There is no set rule on this – we have found that annual bonuses can range from the equivalent of a month’s salary to an extra weeks pay. Bonuses can be given at the discretion of the Client and the amount is normally driven by performance during the year.
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As this subject is complex and varied, the best advice is to go to .UKBA Homeoffice, a Government site which advises on all things to do with visas.
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As part of the recruitment process Greycoat will take verbal references from previous employers as per our referencing policy. After you have interviewed the Candidate most Clients will then follow up on references themselves to verify the Candidates suitability for the post.
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Candidates who directly work with children or the elderly such as Nannies or some Housekeepers are required to have an Enhanced CRB check. Roles such as Couple’s, Housekeepers and Chefs are not required to have a CRB if they are not working with children, however we always advise all Candidates that when working in the private sector it is beneficial for them to have a CRB check.
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Greycoat is a registered body of the CRB and therefore we are able to conduct CRB checks directly. Any Candidate that is required to work with children or vulnerable adults will be required to have a valid CRB and on offer of a position, if the Candidate does not hold such a document we do undertake this check at our expense
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All our Candidates that we register must be able to speak a very good level of English.
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Not all Candidates will be drivers. While some London based Candidates may have a driving licence they may not own their own car. We will always let you know on the Candidate report if they have a full driving license.
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Yes- however the pool of Candidates who have alternative accommodation for those two days is very small.
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Yes you can, however if the accommodation provided is separate it would appeal to a larger range of Candidates if you are open to them having visitors by prior arrangement
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If you are employing someone on a live in basis, no matter if the accommodation is within your home or separate, it is common practice for the employer to pay all bills in relation to the utilities ( council tax, gas, electric, oil ) as well as telephone line rental. Accommodation can be furnished or unfurnished – ideally is it great if you can offer both options