Your household is an employer, too

Put the working arrangement in writing

When you employ a domestic worker, a clear record of the working arrangement is a valuable starting point. Record the agreed duties, ordinary working days, hours, pay frequency and the employee's details securely.

Employment obligations depend on the applicable legislation and circumstances. A written agreement does not replace statutory protections, and household arrangements should be checked with a qualified labour or payroll professional where needed.

Understand what makes up the pay

Keep ordinary pay separate from overtime, Sunday or public-holiday work, allowances and deductions. Do not assume that one rate applies to every kind of hour worked.

Check the current national minimum wage and the effective date that applies to the pay period. Review UIF, PAYE and other employer obligations with a professional; do not infer an exemption simply from the fact that the employer is a household.

• Keep an accurate record of hours and leave.
• Review deductions and employer contributions separately.
• Give the employee a clear payslip and retain the supporting records.

Treat personal information with care

Employee identities, banking details and payslips contain sensitive information. Restrict access to people who need it, store records securely and avoid sharing complete documents in casual messaging groups.

Veld's Household area brings employee records and payslips together. Optional spouse sharing starts with no access; choose only the permissions appropriate for your circumstances.