Choosing the Right Engagement Structure for Household Staff
A Practical Perspective from Inside Private Households
When families begin building or evolving their household team, the first conversations are rarely about contracts. They are about lifestyle, rhythm, trust, and how support will integrate naturally into daily life.
Only once the role begins to take shape does the question of structure arise. How should the relationship be formalised? What framework best reflects how the household actually functions, both now and as circumstances evolve?
Most families start by looking at the established employment structures available to them.
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Beginning with familiar frameworks
In many jurisdictions, private household staff are engaged under either a fixed-term employment contract or an open-ended employment contract.
A fixed-term contract, often referred to as a CDD, is typically used where the role has a defined duration or purpose. This may be linked to a particular period, a temporary requirement, or a specific phase in family life. Families often appreciate the clarity this structure provides when circumstances are time-bound.
An open-ended contract, commonly known as a CDI, is generally chosen where a role is ongoing and forms part of the household’s longer-term organisation. Over time, this structure often becomes the backbone of household staffing, offering continuity and a clear framework for both the family and the individual.
These models are well established and widely understood, forming the foundation of household employment in many countries.
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Exploring other ways of working
Alongside traditional employment models, some families also explore how certain services might operate under a self-employed or independent contractor arrangement.
This consideration usually arises where services are delivered on a flexible or non-exclusive basis. Occasional babysitting, ad hoc childcare support, or services provided alongside other families can naturally prompt questions about how self-employed arrangements function in practice.
In these situations, the focus is typically on alignment rather than preference — ensuring the structure reflects how the service is actually delivered.
How household roles evolve over time
Private households are living environments. Needs shift, routines settle, and relationships deepen.
A role that begins as occasional support may gradually become more regular. Availability may move from being requested to being assumed. Trust builds, and with it, reliance.
This evolution is entirely natural and often a sign that an arrangement is working well. It is also the point at which families sometimes pause to reflect on whether the structure still mirrors the reality of the role as it exists today.
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Looking at the arrangement in practice
Across jurisdictions, engagement structures are generally assessed not only by what is written in an agreement, but by how the relationship operates day to day.
Families often find it helpful to reflect on questions such as:
- Who determines working hours and availability?
- Is the individual free to accept or decline work?
- Is the role one of several engagements, or has it become central to the household?
- How closely is the role integrated into the household’s routine?
These reflections are part of thoughtful household management and long-term planning.
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Considering the wider picture
For many families, reviewing structure is less about immediate compliance and more about foresight.
As roles evolve, certain arrangements may require adjustment to remain clear and sustainable. Families may wish to ensure expectations remain aligned, that administrative processes continue to run smoothly, and that the working relationship feels secure for everyone involved.
There is also often consideration given to how individuals supporting the household are covered and supported over time, whether through social protections, insurance, or a clear and stable employment framework.
When structure matters most
In practice, families tend to revisit these questions when something changes. A role becomes more regular. Responsibilities expand. Or circumstances shift unexpectedly.
At these moments, having a structure that reflects reality can help avoid uncertainty or complexity later on. Many families see this not as a need to change what works, but as an opportunity to reinforce it.
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The Platinum Nanny perspective
At Platinum Nanny, we see household staffing arrangements at every stage of their lifecycle.
Our role is to share insight drawn from experience, helping families understand how different engagement models tend to function over time and how they may adapt as household needs evolve. Sometimes this confirms that an existing structure remains appropriate. At other times, it opens a conversation about whether a different framework might better reflect how the household now operates.
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A final reflection
Household staffing arrangements are rarely static. They evolve alongside the household itself.
Taking time to consider how an arrangement is structured is often less about making changes, and more about ensuring stability, clarity, and resilience as circumstances shift over time.
Author’s note
This article is shared for general awareness only and reflects commonly observed practices across multiple jurisdictions. It does not constitute legal, tax, or employment advice.
Platinum Nanny Ltd (UK) is a specialist private household recruitment and introduction agency. We support families with the sourcing, assessment, and introduction of permanent full and part-time private staff. Platinum Nanny Ltd offers services in London, Monaco, and the Middle East.
Platinum KOMPASS is Platinum Nanny’s compliance and administrative support service, assisting families with the practical aspects of household employment following a placement. This includes employer set-ups, nanny tax registrations where applicable, CCSS registrations, work permit and residency-related applications, social contribution declarations, and the administration of employment documentation throughout the lifecycle of household staffing. Platinum KOMPASS provides structured, discreet support to ensure household employment arrangements are implemented and maintained with clarity, continuity, and alignment as circumstances evolve.
