Domestic help in Johannesburg

Hiring domestic help in Johannesburg may not be at the top of an expat's to-do list, especially if they’re from a country where full-time maids and gardeners are not affordable.

However, since most expats living in Johannesburg employ at least part-time domestic help, it's a good idea to prepare for this aspect of expat life to avoid a few common mistakes.

Domestic help is available in many spheres of life in Johannesburg. Some expats employ a live-in nanny for their small children, a few might need a driver to take them to and from work, or they may want somebody to do the cooking for them.

Hiring a housekeeper in Johannesburg

Most commonly, domestic workers are employed in South Africa to do the household cleaning, washing, and ironing. Many of the larger houses in Johannesburg have built-in domestic quarters to accommodate live-in help, leaving residents free to decide whether they want live-in staff or someone who commutes to work every day.

If you're hiring a domestic worker, it's essential to consider what you would expect from one to avoid misunderstandings and disappointment later on. Many expats who move to Johannesburg have never had domestic help before, but even so, you need to think about how their working day should look. After all, they will spend a lot of time in the same space as you.

One of the biggest mistakes expats make is hiring someone without any work experience or references. Simply hiring the neighbour's maid's sister when she comes knocking is not ideal, just as it wouldn't be in any other profession. 

The best way to find a housekeeper is through word of mouth in the neighbourhood or within the expat community, where there is typically a high turnover whenever people relocate. Some estates also have a newsletter with a classifieds section, while online classifieds can also be checked for advertisements. 

Either way, you should make sure you ask for references and speak to your prospective worker's previous employer to get as much information as possible. A probation period is also a good idea, where the worker comes in for several days, paid in cash and with no strings attached. This allows the employer to get a feel for how they work and fit in with the family.

Another option is to work through an agency that screens all its employees. These agencies also handle the necessary paperwork.

Employment contracts for domestic workers

It is absolutely recommended that domestic workers sign an employment contract, making sure that their specific tasks and grounds for termination are stated clearly, as well as that all labour laws regarding leave and overtime pay are honoured.

We would also advise that expats issue monthly payslips. Paperwork samples, including a sample employment contract, can be found on the South African Department of Labour website. If your employee will be working for more than 24 hours, you'll have to register your domestic worker with the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). 

Useful links

• Department of Labour and Employment
• Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)