Resources for Washington Domestic Employers

Guidance for All Employers

We know it can be overwhelming to understand what the best practices are when employing someone in your home. At Hand in Hand, we’re committed to providing resources and guidance so that every home in Washington can be a fair workplace. Thank you for doing your part.

Know the Laws

Pay attention to laws that are put in place to protect domestic workers and serve as a guide to employers as well.

Communicating with the Worker in Your Home

Open and respectful communication is at the heart of any good relationship. Below are some communication best practices for creating a positive employment relationship with the nanny, house cleaner, and home attendant that supports you in your home.

Paying A Fair Wage

We rely on the people we hire in our homes for care and support, in turn its important to pay a fair wage. Learn more…

Establishing Paid Time Off

Time off — including medical and sick leave — will ensure that your employee is rested and healthy and ready to do their job well.

Here are some guiding principles around offering paid time off:

For full-time employees, provide at least 5 paid sick days per year; and for part-time employees, 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.
For full-time employees, provide at least 2 weeks of paid vacation per year; and for part-time employees, 1 hour for every 20 hours worked.
Any unused vacation should be paid out as additional pay when the agreement comes up for an annual review or when the worker leaves the job- whichever the employee and employer agree to.
Provide the standard 8 paid government holidays or agreed upon holidays of the employee’s choice. If an employee agrees to work on any of these holidays, they should be compensated one-and-a-half times their usual hourly rate.
Try to provide at least 6 weeks of paid family or medical leave, with guaranteed employment upon return.

Employer Checklist

Create a work relationship that is mutually beneficial and supportive. Fill out our Employer Checklist

Sign the Fair Care Pledge

Commit to fair employment practices. Take the Fair Care Pledge Today!

Guidance for Nanny Employers

Hiring

So you’ve decided that you are going to hire a nanny, congratulations! Check out our helpful Interview Tips to make the process successful.

Contracts/Agreements

Establishing a contract or written agreement is a fundamental part of a good working relationship with your nanny. Our sample work agreements are designed to guide you through the process and are meant to be customized to your needs.

Staying Safe during COVID-19

Guidance for Home Attendant Employers

Hiring

Hiring for home care can be a complex process. People with disabilities, older adults, and their supporters must navigate an array of agencies, evaluate needs, and find qualified attendants. The process is often overwhelming, especially when individuals or families find themselves at the beginning of this journey. We’ve compiled a few resources to help you during the hiring process:

Contracts/Agreements

Establishing a contract or written agreement is a fundamental part of a good working relationship with the home attendant/s you employ. Our sample home attendant agreement is designed to guide you through the process; feel free to customize it so that it meets your needs.

Staying Safe during COVID-19

Guidance for House Cleaner Employers

Hiring

So you’ve decided that you are going to hire a house cleaner, congratulations! Check out our helpful interview tips to make the process successful.

Contracts/Agreements

Establishing a contract or written agreement is a fundamental part of a good working relationship with the house cleaner/s you employ. Our sample house cleaner agreement is designed to guide you through the process, and it includes options for people that employ house cleaners full-time; feel free to customize it so that it meets your needs.

Staying Safe during COVID-19