Do I need to pay my Household Staff National Minimum Wage?

All UK employers must pay their employees at least National Minimum Wage, including employers of household staff. If you are found to be paying your household staff below minimum wage, you could find yourself facing serious legal repercussions.  What is National Minimum Wage? The National Minimum Wage is the minimum pay per hour employees are […]

Giving your Household Staff a Christmas Bonus in 2024: A Guide for Domestic Employers

Christmas is almost here, and a little extra kindness can go a long way during the festive season. If you’re considering giving your household staff a Christmas bonus this year, here’s a short guide on what you need to know… Is a Christmas Bonus Necessary for Household Staff? Many domestic employers choose to give their […]

Autumn Budget 2024 – What does this mean for Domestic Staff Employers?

The Government’s Autumn Budget has been announced and the changes being made will impact domestic staff employers across the UK. (Please note, the following changes are from April 2025) National Insurance to rise to 15% for Employers The Chancellor has announced that the employers’ National Insurance contributions will rise from 13.8% to 15%. As a […]

The Different Types of Gardeners

If you have a large property or estate, you may find you require the assistance of a gardener or team of gardeners. There are many different types of gardeners for you to choose from, and in this article we will be exploring eight different gardening roles that you may need for the upkeep of your […]

Interview Tips for Employing a Housekeeper

Best Practices for the UK Domestic Staff Market Employing a housekeeper can greatly enhance the efficiency and harmony of your household. However, ensuring you select the right candidate requires a well-structured interview process. Here are some best practices and tips for interviewing housekeepers in the UK domestic staff market. Structuring the Interview 1. Preparation Before […]

Top Tips for Communicating with Household Staff

Hello! I’m Ella, a seasoned superyacht nanny with extensive experience in both temporary and travel nanny roles. With nearly a decade’s worth of experience in freelance child care (mostly onboard), I have also spent time working in fully staffed households around the world. My personal experience, and that of other professionals in the sector, confirms […]

The Most Common Domestic Staff Roles in the UK

At Stafftax, we deliver a bespoke and discreet payroll & HR service tailored to employers who hire private staff to work in their home. There are many different types of domestic staff, from Dog Walkers to Chauffeurs, but what are the most common types of domestic staff roles? According to our data, and with the […]

Rates & Thresholds for Household Staff Employers 2024/2025

The 6th April 2024 is the start of the new tax year, and it’s important that you are aware of the changes that will come into effect and impact you and your household staff.  We’ve covered all the major changes below, but full details of the new Tax Rates & Thresholds can be found here. […]

The Responsibilities of a Private Chef

“A chef within a private household will have a real passion for cooking, providing bespoke menus for the principal, their families and guests. Chefs understand that within a private home it is a personal touch and requirements can change day to day. After all, they are in the ‘heart’ of the home in the kitchen […]

The Benefits of Hiring a Full Time Gardener

“A Gardener in a private domestic household plays a vital role in maintaining and enhancing the aesthetic beauty of the property. With a green thumb and a passion for horticulture, the Gardener is responsible for creating and maintaining lush gardens, lawns, and outdoor spaces. Their duties include planting and nurturing a variety of plants, flowers, shrubs, […]

Three Decades of Stafftax

Written by Kirsty Wild, Head of Sales and Marketing 1993 was the year that Stephen Vahrman, armed with his calculator & notepad, founded the UK’s very first nanny payroll service, Nannytax. Stafftax closely followed to serve employers who employed household staff, such as housekeepers, cleaners and chauffeurs. Fast forward to today, Stafftax is an award-winning […]

Top 4 reasons for hiring a House Manager

“A house manager – sometimes called an estate manager – is in charge of the daily operations of a household and to ensure it runs efficiently and smoothly. They manage the staff team in place and report directly to the Principal. The duties and workload varies depending on the type and size of the household but as […]