Comments, Ideas & Stories
he relationship between “employer” & “employee” is most unique in the Private Sector – Personal Service Industry. This is the rarest of situations, where an employee’s responsibilities require they be a part of their boss’s everyday private lives. This “connection” in most cases inevitably leads to the employee’s personal life being opened up to their employer. It’s virtually impossible for the traditional “boss/worker” relationship we see in the corporate/business world to be remotely similar in a residential/family setting.
Of course there is always a line drawn and boundaries set, as in all work environments. Never the less, the environment itself tends to create this “one of a kind” rapport.
Because of this exceptional link between “employer” & “employee,” we ask for Comments, Thoughts, Ideas, Suggestions, Experiences & Stories. Please take a moment to submit an item of interest, related to Household/Domestic Staff or previous work stories. The funnier…the better. The more informative…the more helpful for all.
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New York, NY 10018
Telephone: (212) 889-7505
Fax: (212) 889-3673 Administration Email:
glenn@greenhousestaffing.com Email Resumes To:
resumes@greenhousestaffing.com
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Denise was awesome to work with, she was patient, understanding and cooperative. Even though I was over qualified for the initial position, Denise used her contacts and knowledge of the industry to point me in the right direction. I would recommend working with Denise and plan to refer friends I know to her so she can end their job search.
Your story was really infromaitve, thanks!
Thanks so much Blaze. All comments are appreciated. Please visit our new “blog” page. It’s still new, but
will soon be very popular. There will be lots of fun and interesting topics discussed. Your participation will
help.
Glenn Greenhouse
Deep tinhknig – adds a new dimension to it all.
QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED DURING AN INTERVIEW
Why did you leave your last job? Will your previous employers speak on the phone about you? Why are you a ——————? Do you enjoy this work or is it the money? What would you do if (hypothetical situations) my two kids are fighting over the same toy? If we’re away and my Son starts running a fever? Can you work late on occasion, if we’re delayed one evening in getting home? If I can’t make dinner one evening, are you willing to put something together for us? You’re looking for degree of flexibility and willingness. What salary are you seeking? (you always want a content Personal Service Staffer)
By; Glenn Greenhouse
When checking references on a candidate, know who your talking to. Google the address of the reference, Google the reference, IE: your given a name, phone & address, Your told the Nanny earned $1,000.00 per week, worked with other staff in a large Suburban House with a swimming pool, tennis court, gazebo etc. After doing a bit of Google, you find the house is a tiny row house, in an industrial area & the reference works as a taxi driver….duh, something isn’t right. When interviewing, see what your kids think. Note your “pets” reaction to the candidate. Kids and dogs have a natural instinct. True professional, seasoned candidates will NOT wear flashy jewelery, have tattoos, smell from heavy perfume or be dressed for a “Saturday Night Out.”
Things to think about when go over a potential employee’s references
by: Glenn Greenhouse
Glenn
That addresses several of my concerns actlualy.
Sincerely happy to be of help. Dasia, please feel free to go to our Blog Page and ask or comment about
anything on your mind. The “Blog” is new and since I and my colleagues at Greenhouse have a lot to comment on along with diverse feelings on many topics…….I’m hoping “Blogging at Greenhousestaffing, takes off.
Thanks
Glenn Greenhouse
Yulia,
What’s up? You ok?
WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR.
DENISE
TO JESSE,
HAVE A GREAT TIME IN “SWITZERLAND.” EASY ON THE BEER, BUT HAVE A “WONDERFUL & MERRY CHRISTMAS.”
ALL THE BEST
GLENN
Glenn,
Had a great, great time in Switzerland, minus the treacherous skiing conditions. I grew up in the Berkshires, but the Alps are a whole different beast.
Glad to be back stateside.
J
TO GARRETT,
HAVE A MERRY, HAPPY, SAFE & JOYOUS “CHRISTMAS.”
ALL THE BEST,
GLENN
TO ALL OUR “CLIENTELE;
BOTH THE “EMPLOYER’S OF DOMESTIC/HOUSEHOLD STAFF & THE PERSONAL SERVICE PROFESSIONALS,” We want to thank you for another year of your patronage. We at Greenhouse are grateful for the opportunities you have given us, in allowing us to be of help. The trust you’ve put in our hands is tremendously appreciated. We’ve enjoyed a great year of “referred business.” This makes us especially proud and want you to know this has been noted. Your business is “valued” and never taken for granted.
I personally, want to wish all who have called on “Greenhouse,” truly HEALTHY, JOYOUS, HAPPY & SAFE HOLIDAYS! MAY THE BEST OF LAST YEAR, BE THE WORST OF THE “NEW YEAR”
Sincerely,
Glenn Scott Greenhouse
This piece was cogent, well-wriettn, and pithy.
Not being an English major or even similar, your comment sounds like a compliment. I sincerely thank
you Kaedon! Check on our new “Blog” page. Hopefully you’ll find more well written comments.
All The Best
Glenn Greenhouse
Garrett,
I’m sad to see you go, but wish you the best. You’ve been a true gentleman and made the office light up. You’ll surely
be missed. Also, I want to thank you for your hard work and your always willing to help out. You’re a true “team player.”
Sincerely,
Glenn
Want to wish my Son Jason a Happy 30th Birthday! I was trully blessed, 30 years ago today!
Love You Always & Unconditionally,
Be Happy, Be Healthy & Be Safe!
Pops
Dear Sports Jerseys Online,
My comments page is not meant for other businesses to sell/promote their goods or services. I’d be happy to discuss a “paid” ad, or link/widget. Possibly a link exchange. Please understand, this page is for people to discuss, different topics and issues, mostly pertaining to the Household/Domestic Staffing Industry. Occasionally we’ve gone of topic. If I feel I like “what’s being discussed” or has “social value”…..I allow the thread to continue. This is always up to me, as this is my site. Sorry though, for obvious reasons, I can’t allow people to ADVERTISE FOR FREE.
BTW: While I do have your attention, by sheer coincidence, I happen to own a Worn, Wayne Gretszky, LA Kings Jersey, w a bit of blood on it. It is signed by Gretszky. Would something like this be worth anything. Also have about six-seven early LI Islanders Memorabilia. Authenticated by “Steiner Sports” & “Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame”: Winning Goal by Bobby Nystrom, Photo & Puck signed by Nystrom May 26, 1982? In Frame//Bryan Trottier signed 81/2 x 10 holding Stanley Cup//Series of four Photos various Islanders Holding Stanley Cup titled 4x Stanley Cup Champions// Signed Trottier Lithograph, poster size 3 images 19 bottom center & A Islanders Jersey signed by Stanley Cup Team, Poster size in frame. I’m not much into this stuff, so any guidance you can give me would be appreciated. Advise on how to “sell” would also be help-full!
Feel free to reach me to discuss Advertising possibilities and the memorabilia.
All The Best,
Glenn S. Greenhouse
Greenhouse Agcy, Ltd.
212.889.7505
55 West 39 St.
New York, NY 10018
greenhousestafffing.com
Can I have the Gretzky jersey?
Make me an offer, it’s got his blood on it…or someone’s.
Also, you do understand about advertising on my sight???
I’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse.
EXPERIENCED, LIVE-IN HOUSEKEEPER NEEDED IMMEDIATELY. Sweet family, one child, other staff. Must work weekends,
but is a Five day work week. Salary is EXCELLENT, Formal Setting, but family is casual. SPANISH Speaking a huge plus.
Please call or come in!!!!!! Afternoons are best. This Family is Interviewing right now!
Thanks
Glenn Greenhouse
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!
Thanks Jesse, Happy Turkey Day to you also. Enjoy your long weekend with your Mom.
Be Safe & don’t be late for that train!
Kewl you shuold come up with that. Excellent!
Hi Jaylan
Not exactly sure which “writing” your referring to?
Thanks
Glenn
Hi Glen
I was curious do you guys place nannies in NJ. I am searching for a childcare position in Bergen or Hudson County. Personally, I wouldn’t mind NYC just afraid of getting really lost. : ) Pretty embarrassing considering I live in Fort Lee, so close to NY.
Is their a real wage difference between NY and NJ??
Hello Karen,
We’ll try to help you in any “geographic area” of your choice. I wouldn’t worry about getting lost in NYC though! If you can count…..you’ll rarely have a problem. After 12th Street is 13th Street, then comes 14th Street and so on. Fifth Avenue separates East from West with address numbers increasing from Fifth Ave on. So…”22 East 54 Street” is East of 5th Avenue. “126 West 54 Street” is West of 5th Avenue. Now this is important……The West side (West numbered addresses) will always be facing California/New Jersey/Hudson River when your on 5th Avenue. The East side (East numbered addresses) will always be facing The Hamptons/Long Island/Brooklyn/East River . Hopes this
helps Karen. Feel free to submit a form or send your resume.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I have been helped by Yulia. She is a very kind woman. Thank you so much Yulia and the green house.
You’ve got to be kidndig me-it’s so transparently clear now!
What is so transparent when I am appreciating someone who is helping me to find a suitable position that I have had an experience with. I am sorry to write this but your comment sounds weird to me. Could you pls explain on what context you are replying to. Thanx!!
Thank you, Rinchen. I will continue searching the right family for you.
Please stay optimistic!
Thanks
!!
Shoot, so that’s that one supoesps.
agh shooting stars…
This is by far my favorite agency to work for. As a private chef, it is never fun to work with an Agency that charges a fee.
Thankfully, this is not the case at Greenhouse. The staff is warm, and quick on their feet.
I highly recommend.
Hahaha, yes.
Greenhouse = best staffing agency in NYC hands down.
We come across so many, “seemingly” amazing Candidates. They’re talented, bright & skilled. They list an excellent work history, with all contact info for their references. We call the references, have a 10 to 15 minute conversation and come away thinking the Candidate IS as good as they seem. We’ll find a nice job for them, a well paying job that seems to be a nice “fit” for both Employer & Employee. A week goes by….the jury is still out. The second week..boom, the sh_t hits the fan. The new Employee proves to be not what we thought them to be. Skill level is weak, personality is in-appropriate for a household, reliability is know where to be found. What happened? How could we have been so wrong? The Employer also, who made the decision to bring them on board?
In many cases, the mistake goes back to the reference. Did we (you) really know who you were speaking with on the phone? Who was it, truly, who gave the great reference? I’ve learned, even the reference should somehow be checked too!
It does make our job a bit harder, but we have found effective ways of knowing who, what, where we’re calling when checking a reference. We also found, being thorough and taking the extra time, is well worth it!
By: Glenn Scott Greenhouse
Hey Glenn,
How do you take your coffee?
Jesse
FOR ALL “CAREER” HOUSEHOLD/DOMESTIC STAFF: Please be sure to consider weather you will be “happy” on the job & “like” the family your considering to commit to. Though very important, money isn’t everything. When in a work environment where you’re close to your boss, all the time…..you must be sure it’s an environment that’s tolerable and you can deal with: “emotionally,” “psychologically” & “…physically.” This is a very unique “employment relationship.” Every “Household” is different, every “Employer” is different. None are truly bad, but some situations are more “stressful” than others. All people are different and some can handle “situations” that others cannot. Look at the “whole picture” when thinking about taking a job. Weigh all the pros & cons. Again, money must not be your only “motivator.” I’m not suggesting taking a position which will put you in worse financial straights, only that giving up an extra $50.00 per week, to take a job where you will be happy & enjoy your days, is the smart way to go.
By: Glenn Scott Greenhouse
well said, sir.
I do accept your statements sir. It’s very important to be happy and enjoy with what we are doing at work. As a candidate, we must not just be interviewed by the families, but we should also be smart enough to put out questions to find out if this particular family is the right match for us. Of course, the economy is poor and “we” being on the main street stream, “we” would grab anything that would come along our way because it’s very hard to find jobs. But, through my experiences there is no harm in waiting or going for as many interviews as possible, take your time in the beginning for decision making rather than regretting for taking the job later on like i did no matter how much big money that they put it out on the table. Wherever you work, as a new candidate you always become an easy target especially when there are a lot of people working with you. Especially, families with work managers, I would personally request you to not only listen to what the managers have to say about employees but also communicate well with the employees themselves to know what are the underlying truths/issues behind any circumstances when you feel or see something is not flowing smoothly. Whenever there are some issues, I would also like to suggest to bring the employees to the corner if you really wanna know the genuine answer by not exposing it directly to the house manager. The families can always check it on their own to find out the truth by giving surprise visit at work by looking at what everyone is upto. I have had a several incidents where I heard the house manager manipulating my lady boss, and them believing completely with what the manager had to say about the incidents or about the person. To err is human and so did i do some simple mistakes at work in the beginning, and no one is perfect not even the house managers. Here are some incidents that I have seen at the mansion where I used to work at. My house manager used to enjoy hard drinks(tequila and others) from the bar at a working time with a family driver, and with one of my other colleagues when my bosses used to travel abroad. They spent most of their time going out or gossiping in the office when my bosses used to be away. My manager would not let me eat on time most of the time, but she occasionally used to tell me that I had to cook for the house driver which I never ever did, and why would I do it since it’s not on my jobs lists. She even made me fold her personal laundries with her underwear in it, they were not on my duties either but I did it to please her and to keep the job. The reason why I am writing all this is hope everyone pays extra more attention on treating their employees right. I was also mistreated by her yesterday when I was sent home. I will never ever forget the incident. But, My bosses and their children were a very nice people but in my case, I never could get along well with my manager who has a temper problem. Thank god, I don’t have to go back to the same work place. I am sorry green house but I really thought ppl need to read and know what is going on in any work place.
AFAICT you’ve covered all the bases with this ansewr!
I did..
Finally I could pour out something and i am so relieved.
Hey Sweetie,
I feel for ya. Been around the block a few times myself. Worked in the corporate-business sector & the private-service sector. I learned everyone has SOMEONE to answer to. It is what it is. In a Bank I worked, it was the Head Teller. She had to answer to the Assistant Branch Manager who had to report to the Branch Manager. I had a problem with the Head Teller. My tallies at the end of the day were always correct. Not once was my drawer off a penny. She had a knack for finding something wrong all the time. Little, menial things like coming back from lunch 10 minutes late or my nails had tips and colored….it was because it was a Monday & I was at a party Sunday night. I explained this, it didn’t matter to her. I loved the job all the people I worked with. She made my life miserable and found a reason to have me fired. In a house I worked in as a Personal Assistant, it was the Butler. He wasnt trully mean like at the bank. He was always stressed due to the job and pressure from the boss. I kept the Mrs. calendar perfect, found the most hard to find accessories for her within hours, arranged last minute travel like a “magician.” Even ran to the children’s school to speak with the Director, because my boss was to “hung over.” In that situation, the Butler ended up quitting. I ended up PA & House Manager. There were a few other similar jobs over the years. So I can relate to how you feel.
Rinchen, I’d like to share w you what I’ve learned. No matter what, when I was let go, I never had nice things to say about the job. Someone once told me: “Very rarely does an employee whose fired, weather for good reason or BS, have good things or nice feelings about the experience.” After 25 years of work, I have to admit, there’s some truth to this. But the most important lesson I learned…is it’s always best to “let your feelings be expressed, just like you’ve done, never harbor resentments, be grateful for the time spent and financial gains enjoyed and move on. Again, like you said, “no one’s perfect.” Including your house-manager. Also, if you can see these things coming, or the signs; start looking, you don’t have to stay. But always try and leave a job on the best terms possible. Give proper notice. You do the “right thing” even if your boss does not. We all face our maker someday, we all will have a much more important person to answer to, someday. Beleive me, expressing your feelings in some way is good..and healthy. Forgiveness, understanding & accepting responsibility when called for is even better.
Best of Luck to you Rinchen. I’m sure you’ll be fine and find another job where you’ll be happy and stay on for many years.
Thank you for your advice and your response. I appreciate the skills I had learned and acquired during my 8 months. I am somebody who has to speak up for my rights when something is not being right. Like in my case, I did every part of jobs that I was expected out of me. I had always wanted to hold my ground, but at the same time building some common boundaries so that people would not take advantage of me. I dont have anything bad to say about the duties and responsibilites that were given to me, infact wanted to thank my manager for hiring me (for giving me steady income), and leave the workplace on a good note. I had spoken to her one week ahead of the time that they can happily replace me and I would stay there until they would find someone or if they would let me stay until the end of the year. Let me clear something here in my case. You ask someone if they would like you to be back next time, and they tell you big YES. But, what kind of person would tell somebody to walk and pack your bag as soon as you enter to the workplace when you are expected to be at work on the beginning of the week without having any notice prior to it. Or I would expect them at least to tell me on phone one day in advance about what was going on and I would have happily gone to pack my belongings. And then what happened was I wanted them to reimburse my transportation and couple of receipts, but they said they can’t . I said forget it and I called the cab and waited on the corner of the long driveway as it took a while for a cab to reach to the workplace. I only waited there because it was hard for me to carry all my stuff all the way to the gate but this “manager” sent one of my colleagues and warned me not to stand at their compound and that they would call Cops. It was only a matter of few minutes of waiting and I was gonna go for ever which I had always wanted. I was so upset and told the messenger she could call whoever she would like to but i would like to wait here until the cab would get here. Do you think this was a good behavior from a manager and was it even necessary for her to tell me that she was going to call cops on me. I hope that karma will play it’s role on her one day. What ever goes around always comes around, and I know that it is going to happen with her.
I’d venture that this artlice has saved me more time than any other.
Time=money for everyone…the more you save the more you have