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Last week was amazing. After 8 days in the hands of kidnappers, the Orekoya’s kids were finally released. Now that the Orekoya’s are fine (after that kind of trauma…. I really hope so) and the nanny Funmilayo Adeyemi aka Mary Akinloye is in the police net and you still need to hire a nanny…it might not be online maybe through an agent, or village person or neighbour or friends…..there are certain things you need to do.
First of all I would like to ask, what exactly did we learn from the kidnap saga. Firstly, I learnt that I could buy any stuff I need on the internet but not to hire a nanny via an online portal…..It doesn’t make sense to me at all. Secondly, background checks are very important in recruiting staff whether formal or informal staff. We shouldn’t be in a hurry to conduct such checks before the staff in question starts work. If one is too busy to conduct such checks, one can hire a consultant. Thirdly, keep your job close to you but your children CLOSER!
You want to hire an ‘assistant’, please do ask yourself if you really need nanny. Ask yourself why do you need a nanny? What do you need a nanny for? What will the nanny be doing for you? How long do you need the nanny for? Do you need to design a job description for a nanny? What extent of assistance do you need.
Most of us think that hiring a nanny, gardener, cleaner or a gateman is ‘informal’ and so we do not think that there is need to go through a formal process of recruitment. For instance, recruiting through a formal process, conducting an interview, completing a form, collecting personal documents and information on the applicant and running the necessary medical checkups.
With the recent stories on house helps and nannies, I strongly advise that parents step up their game, sit up and take matters into their hands. They should develop a ‘family recruitment strategy and process’ which will not only establish a formal relationship with ‘Oga’ and ‘worker’ but will also form a robust checkup on the character of the employee and helps in future……just in case one wants to establish a court order against the other.
A typical data form for domestic staff should include: Name, Phone number, Mother’s Name, Address, Phone number, Father’s name, Address, Phone number, Agent (or called “in between”-usually someone who knows both the employer and employee), Address, Phone number, last place of work; Name of last employee and Address, reason of disengagement. The form should also include information on two witnesses to the signed agreement;their names and signatures. The employee is expected to also write his/her name and signature.
And lastly, a CCTV is a must in every home. Save yourself a lot of trouble and drama by getting one for your home. It may be above your budget but make sure it is on your priority list for the sake of your family and especially your children.
I hope this makes sense!
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