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Domestic Staff Employment Contract

A completed fictional live-out domestic worker contract covering duties, PAYE, accommodation, hours, leave, rights and termination.

Jurisdiction: England and Wales - completed fictional worked example

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Important: This sample provides general legal information only and is not legal advice. Check the law, prescribed forms and signing requirements that apply to your exact jurisdiction and circumstances before use.

# DOMESTIC STAFF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

Date: 2 September 2029

Parties: Eleanor and James Whitcombe and Nadia Okafor

## 1. Parties and purpose

Eleanor and James Whitcombe of 7 Elm Crescent, Oxford OX2 7QF employ Nadia Okafor as a live-out housekeeper and childcare assistant from 2 September 2029. Nadia is an employee, not a self-employed contractor. Her normal workplace is the family home, with occasional local errands agreed in advance.

## 2. Scope, price and subject

Nadia works Monday to Friday, 08:30–16:30, with a 30-minute unpaid break, 37.5 hours per week. Gross salary is £31,200 per year paid monthly by BACS, subject to PAYE and National Insurance. Approved overtime is paid at £17 per hour or taken as agreed paid time off; no deduction may reduce pay below National Minimum Wage.

## 3. Operating duties

Duties include cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, school collection for the Whitcombes’ children and safe use of household equipment. Nadia must not administer medication, drive children or supervise swimming unless separately trained and authorised. The family provides safe equipment, risk information and employer’s liability insurance and records accidents.

## 4. Compliance, records and controls

Nadia receives 28 days’ paid annual leave including bank holidays, pro-rated for part years, statutory sick pay if eligible, and statutory maternity, paternity, adoption, parental and carer rights. She must follow the absence procedure and receive rest breaks under the Working Time Regulations 1998. A six-month probation has two weeks’ notice each way.

## 5. Term, ending and remedies

The family registers as employer, runs PAYE, pays employer National Insurance and provides a written statement of terms. Nadia must provide evidence of right to work and promptly report safeguarding concerns. Confidential household information is not shared on social media; this does not prevent a protected disclosure or contact with emergency services.

## 6. Liability and reservations

After probation, notice is one month each way, subject to any greater statutory minimum. The family may use garden leave or lawful PILON. Summary dismissal follows a fair process where practicable for gross misconduct such as theft, violence, serious safeguarding breach or deliberate dishonesty. Final pay includes salary and accrued holiday.

## 7. Governing law and signatures

English law governs and employment tribunal rights are preserved; courts of England and Wales handle ordinary contractual claims. Eleanor, James and Nadia sign on 2 September 2029. The family will not charge accommodation because this is live-out employment and will review duties, hours and pay in writing rather than relying on household custom.

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