Hybrid positions in domestic staffing
One of the most controversial topics nowadays in domestic staffing would have to be with hybrid positions. After 16 years in the domestic staffing industry, I'm going to throw my hat into the ring and bring clarification for both employers and private service professionals.
What is a hybrid role?
A hybrid role may not be what you think it is. In our post-pandemic world, a "hybrid job" usually means that someone works from home part of the time. While those positions do exist in domestic staffing, it's not what this article is about. A hybrid position in this context means to blend several jobs into one.
When is it appropriate to have a hybrid role?
Consult with an agent about hybrid roles
For smaller estates, it's only natural that the principal of the home would want to be "lean" and have one person perform several different tasks. You might, for example, have a nanny also engage in personal assistant duties like running errands when the kids are at school. That is perfectly fine and acceptable.
Things start to get controversial when high-net-worth employers run wild with the concept of hybrid jobs, and VIPs could be accused of thrifty behavior. If, for example, someone wants a chef, dog walker, PA, nanny, and housekeeper rolled into one job, then it's clear that someone has "gone off the deep end." And, for the record, we get calls from affluent families that ask for this sort of amalgamation, so it's not an exaggeration.
Things start to get controversial when high-net-worth employers run wild with the concept of hybrid jobs, and VIPs could be accused of thrifty behavior. If, for example, someone wants a chef, dog walker, PA, nanny, and housekeeper rolled into one job, then it's clear that someone has "gone off the deep end." And, for the record, we get calls from affluent families that ask for this sort of amalgamation, so it's not an exaggeration.
How HNW employers damage their reputations
The more duties and responsibilities that an employer blends into one role, the harder it will be to fill the job. Not only will the employer need to find someone that knows how to do all the tasks, but they need to be willing to do it for the price that the principal has budgeted.
Let's say, for example, that an employer in Dallas is trying to fill a position in his estate, and the job is a four-in-one role. If just one of those positions, say, should pay $80,000 a year, it's hard enough to "find good help" without the hybrid issue. As soon as you ask a personal assistant to also do a chef's and housekeeper's duties, the "degree of difficulty" skyrockets, even if you are willing to pay a higher salary.
Let's say, for example, that an employer in Dallas is trying to fill a position in his estate, and the job is a four-in-one role. If just one of those positions, say, should pay $80,000 a year, it's hard enough to "find good help" without the hybrid issue. As soon as you ask a personal assistant to also do a chef's and housekeeper's duties, the "degree of difficulty" skyrockets, even if you are willing to pay a higher salary.
The unfortunate reality is that employers who blend too many positions together become a bit of a joke in the local domestic staffing community. Private service professionals like assistants, chefs, housekeepers, and house managers are tightly knit in their local communities. They belong to associations, and they are connected to each other on LinkedIn.
As soon as a VIP becomes unreasonable with too many roles blended, then the employer can be branded with a sort of "scarlet letter." That can result in candidates running from posted job ads. Even if employers label the job posting with "confidential employer," it won't matter because everyone will know who it really is.
Once the word is out about the low pay or runaway hybrid duties, private service professionals will start saying, "There's that crazy job ad again."
As soon as a VIP becomes unreasonable with too many roles blended, then the employer can be branded with a sort of "scarlet letter." That can result in candidates running from posted job ads. Even if employers label the job posting with "confidential employer," it won't matter because everyone will know who it really is.
Once the word is out about the low pay or runaway hybrid duties, private service professionals will start saying, "There's that crazy job ad again."
A final word on hybrid positions in domestic staffing
To a certain degree, hybrid roles are necessary and acceptable. But high-net-worth employers need to think carefully about the candidate's duties and responsibilities. Consulting with an experienced domestic staffing professional is critical to attracting and retaining the best domestic staff.
If candidates are asked to do too much at an estate -- even if they are compensated well -- they will eventually walk off the job because candidates will get burned out.
If candidates are asked to do too much at an estate -- even if they are compensated well -- they will eventually walk off the job because candidates will get burned out.
