Privacy Is Part of the Job: What Families Should Look for When Hiring Private Household Staff

Private household employees may know travel dates, schools, routines, guests, addresses, and sensitive family information. That level of access requires judgment as well as technical skill.

References can help families evaluate professionalism, boundaries, and discretion. Expectations around photography, social media, location sharing, keys, access codes, and private information should be communicated clearly and handled consistently with applicable law.

Confidentiality agreements may be appropriate in some households, but legal counsel should advise on legal protections. For physical protection and security assessments, appropriately qualified professionals should be engaged.

When someone works inside your home, discretion is not an extra—it is part of the position.