For many Employer’s of Household/Domestic Staff, this is the time of year when additional workers are needed.   Though not needing a permanent employee, the same quality & skill-set is essential. References, background and personality component must still be of the level of a “long term” candidate being considered.  The best way to be assured of having expectations met…… is to be up front, in the beginning, about the “temporary nature” of the job. We have seen many family’s indicate they are hiring for a permanent position.  A new member of the “team” comes on board.  In all work environments, [ Read the rest…]

For many Employer’s of Household/Domestic Staff, this is the time of year when additional workers are needed.   Though not needing a permanent employee, the same quality & skill-set is essential. References, background and personality component must still be of the level of a “long term” candidate being considered.  The best way to be assured of having expectations met…… is to be up front, in the beginning, about the “temporary nature” of the job. We have seen many family’s indicate they are hiring for a permanent position.  A new member of the “team” comes on board.  In all work environments, [ Read the rest…]

Since we do not have; “beam me up Scotty” yet…….Chauffeured Transportation would be the following, at a minimum: 1. Availability at Bosses request, when and where needed. 2. Transport safely & comfortably by a FOCUSED, SECURITY-CONSCIOUS INDIVIDUAL. 3. Transport from point A to point B in as fast a time possible, utilizing knowledge of routes & destination, various construction/movie-shoots/closed streets, along w traffic conditions. 4. Driver must be “Secret Service” type; see’s nothing, hears nothing, repeats nothing, remembers nothing…..with the common sense to do something should he/she realize someone in vehicle is having a heart attack or other medical issue. [ Read the rest…]

Are you an experienced career Nanny or Housekeeper who is fed up with searching through thousands of online websites and filling out thousands of online applications while hoping that you find a job that you deserve? The Internet is impersonal and sometimes hard to navigate through making finding a job in middle of a recession even more difficult, but there is a better way. Here at Greenhouse Agency we will work with you one on one until we could find you a job that you deserve. You won’t have to fill out anymore online applications or pay any ridiculous fees [ Read the rest…]

It’s early evening already and it’s been a hectic couple of days.  You want to send one last e-mail before finishing up. You start typing in the name of the recipient and the auto feature kicks in. You quickly write your short message and hit send. A few minutes later as your ready to leave for the day, you notice a new e-mail. It’s a response to the e-mail you just sent and it’s “curt” and almost rude.  You may think to your self; what kind of games are these people playing now, as the e-mail you had sent may [ Read the rest…]

You could have had xxxxxx back, at least for the next couple of weeks. With kind words and comments expressing her value and your appreciation. Instead, you attacked and threatened. Weather by innuendo or actual verbiage. You acted in a similar way with me. I’m trying to advise, not criticize. I hope you realize this. Domestic/Household Staff is an employee group, unique and unlike any other. Their “pride & self-esteem,” is all they have. In most cases, they’ve came to the US with little else….except for a suitcase, the clothes on their backs and maybe a relative or friend’s room, [ Read the rest…]

Your Initial Interview at Greenhouse As the person who sits here at the front desk, greeting new applicants, I see many different people walk through this door. Some are dressed to the nines, with a professional resume, a leather briefcase and a whole package of reference letters and certificates. Others arrive with less preparation, but great attitudes, confidence and the ability to tell our Placement Specialists about their qualifications. Many of these folks leave with an interview, or two, set up, or in the works. Unfortunately, there are many people, who arrive here unprepared in one way, or another; these [ Read the rest…]

In a house, the boss, when  going over “responsibilities” with a new/prospective  employee, may say: “you’re going to do cleaning, laundry & cooking.  Also, help with the kids when necessary and oh! our linens and bedding are changed twice a week…..I almost forgot, my husband’s shirts  are done at home. He can’t stand the way the ‘cleaner’s’ do his shirts & they come back with buttons missing all the time.”  This is not a good practice. Try to be as specific as possible.  You can begin with tasks starting in the morning. IE: “first thing you’ll do is empty the [ Read the rest…]

Nothing but admiration for the lady….and she was a Lady. Feeling sad, very sad. She always stood by her man, worked hard giving my generation hit after hit to remember. Great actress…­will never forget her in the arms of Kevin Costner, while he kicks his way out of the theater. I’m truly “angry.” I’ll miss Miss Whitney Houston. My most heartfelt “condolenc­es” go out to her family. I know she’s happy & at peace. Whatever speeding, nightmaris­h & unstoppabl­e “express train” (I believe she was on, the last 10 or so years) she probably tried her hardest to “stop” and [ Read the rest…]

Every one in the US knows we’re going through difficult, tough & unique times.  If your “seeking” Household/Domestic Staff; how do you find the market, compared to a few years back?  Do you come across better qualified candidates? Are candidates more flexible? Are salary requests higher, lower  or about the same? What’s the most obvious difference you’ve noticed? If your a “Personal Service, Career Proffesional,” what have you noticed? More jobs available? Are the jobs requiring more responsibilities?  Do you notice  a change in salaries being offered? We see as an Agency; the demand for “qualified, trained staff”  is still [ Read the rest…]

Please be sure to consider whether 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 [ Read the rest…]