Latest Trends in Private Service

Gone are the days when ‘in service’ meant being a member of a team whose purpose was to provide the range of services required to run a substantial country house and estate. It implied that one was a member of the ‘downstairs’ household and that there was an embedded understanding of appropriate roles, respect, class, protocol, etiquette, manners, style, personal presentation,  forms of address, etc. Everyone ‘knew their place’ and the whole ‘machine’ which had evolved out of the traditions, systems, routines and needs of days gone by, was able to deliver service to the people ‘upstairs’.

It is different today.
Although there are a few such estates with their big houses and regiment of staff remaining, it is the rise of the ‘urban estate’ that attracts the attention of the public and provides the employment for most domestic staff today.

Today the vacancy lists still feature a few butlers and estate mangers but the main requirements are for the following categories:

• Butler  – Today either a man or a woman the butler is the principal member of the team that provides service in a traditionally run house. He or she liases with the home owners as to all the requirements. The role is a mix between management and liaison of the house and the practical application of the fine aspects of the home such as dining room service, greeting guests, care of the wine cellar, valeting, etc. Today’s butler often embraces many of the responsibilities outlined under Household Manager.
• Household  Manager – A man or woman, usually at least age 40, who, through a mix of hands-on experience and some formal training, can oversee, manage and undertake just about every task in a modern home. He or she has the range of expertise from clothes care and storage, to cooking and serving a good meal, to being the chauffeur, to organising the staff, to overseeing the garden and maintenance, to being computer and internet savvy - in fact being the one to whom the entire house turns for anything! This role has become to today’s large house what the team of yesteryear was to the country estate. It is an occupation undertaken by people who are compelled to serve others and who have an appetite for hard work and long hours. The minimum rewards are a high salary, ( See Salaries & wages in subscription section) good self contained accommodation, use of a car, annual bonus and salary review. The longer a household manager works for an employer the more valuable he or she becomes to the running of the house. Due to the nature of the work load and responsibilities which increase over time the average tenure is often relatively short. These people are very valuable. (See Relationships that work – keeping staff in the subscription section)
• Housekeeper –  Live in or out. Usually a woman because the nature of this work calls upon the feminine side of the brain and because ‘the lady of the house’ for whom the housekeeper often deputises and works closely with, prefers to work with a woman in these areas. Notwithstanding these reasons men are available for this work and always show flair and sensitivity in its interpretation and should never be ruled out when considering appointments. The job description of the housekeeper can vary hugely as with the household manager’s role. People undertaking this work must be open to working long hours and have a good sense of self esteem. The nature of the work is such that it is not possible to ever complete everything! – there will always be something else to do and the housekeeper’s ultimate skill is to deliver the service that the house requires on any day and to carry forward those tasks that can be postponed. The housekeeper’s responsibilities extend from a management role in a large house – overseeing cleaning, laundry, clothes care and handyman staff - to being the only one employed to do all the cleaning, housekeeping, clothes care, laundry and often stepping into the kitchen to prepare a main meal. The size of the house and the level of use it receives determines the level of staffing. A role very vulnerable to ‘burnout’ and positioned on the front line for excessive expectations. A good relationship with the principals of the house is essential. Good self contained flat or cottage must be provided for the housekeeper who lives-in.
• Cook – Live in or out. There is a trend to the return of the vegetable garden which can supply the kitchen with organic produce and the sourcing of foods locally. An understanding of cooking that maintains the nutritional value of foods is important. Can be a man or woman. Male cooks tend to want a large house setting with a team of helpers and autonomy coupled with flexibility to serve the homely food preferred by the ‘family’ and capable of creativity for the many formal events that will feature in the house calendar. Female cooks tend to work in smaller kitchens where they are on their own with perhaps one part-time helper for preparation and washing dishes. It is important to be clear as to what is expected and what can be achieved. A light lunch and a main dinner that is not taken too late in the evening together with the shopping, stock control and cleaning for a 5 day week can be expected. Historically employees provide their own uniforms, however, today’s trend is for the house to supply and launder them. Good self contained flat or cottage must be provided for the chef or cook who lives-in.
• Housekeeper/Cook Live in or out. The combination of these two areas of expertise is in great demand today. Where owners may be away for periods of time or only in residence at week-ends, for example, the housekeeper/cook can provide a level of service and cover that suits the owners well. Expectations are usually high as owners tend to expect everything to be covered ‘because they can take it easy when we are not here’ and this is not always how things work out.
• Couple – Live in or out. The expectations often are that a couple will provide the roles of housekeeper, cook, butler, handyman, gardener, pet carer, baby-sitter, chauffeur and house-sitter. The size of house, level of activities and number of people living in it will determine how this position is filled out. Who does what can vary from couple to couple and the preferences of the lady of the house must come first. This work requires flexibility and openness to change, it is better suited to people over age 40 and some houses prefer couples to be in their 50s and 60s. The actual level of responsibility and the work required of the couple can be drawn from all the roles presented above. The size of house, the number of adults, children and pets, the size of garden and level of maintenance required are all factors that create the unique job description for each couple. The best way to determine what can be achieved by a couple in an individual setting is to seek professional guidance (consulting). It is often necessary to employ other part-time staff to supplement the work load.
• Carer – As home owners become older their preference is often to remain in their home but their needs and life style change. The days when the younger family members care for their elders are largely over and in their place carers (or care homes) are sought. As in other roles in private homes each situation is unique. The work of the carer can include housekeeper, laundry and clothes care, cook, driver, P.A. and companion. In some cases personal care is needed. (It is important that people who have not undertaken any training in the area of personal carer that they seek advice as to what can be offered appropriately and legally).

Traditionally the relationship between employer and employee has been based in ‘the way it has always been – simply left to develop and hope it works out!’ Today, however, it is vital to give priority consideration to the quality of the relationship that will prevail and thus sustain the employment indefinitely. See Relationships that work – keeping staff  in the subscription section.

TYPICAL JOB DESCRIPTIONS CAN BE ACCESSED IN THE SUBSCRIPTION SECTION – a great help when recruiting and considering the staffing of your home.

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