Should My Housekeeper Get a Key to My House?
A family from Vancouver asked us this question the other day:
Should I give my new housekeeper a key to my house?
I can understand why a family would consider giving a key to their housekeeper. What would be better than coming home from a hard day at work and finding everything clean! But, the risks of giving a key to your house to someone that you don't know can be very risky. My own housekeeper does have a key to my home, but she has worked for me for about 4 years; I only gave her a key about 8 months ago. I've created a relationship with her, and trust my instincts telling me that I have absolutely nothing to worry about.
Before handing over the keys to your house, I recommend taking the following steps:
- Check references (personal and professional if possible), and do a criminal record check - we recommend doing this prior to hiring someone, but definitely before giving them a key
CanadianNanny.ca can help you with this! Check out the Screening Services we offer.
- Employ the housekeeper for a trial period of at least a few weeks; not only to make sure that the relationship is a fit, but also to gain some trust with that person
- Instead of giving a key to the housekeeper, consider hiding a key outside the house, or telling her where to find it if you already have one hidden - this way, the key doesn't leave your home
By taking the time to make the right arrangements with your housekeeper, both she and your family will feel more comfortable, making sure that the relationship builds and lasts.
