The Jewish Chronicle

A Unique Domestic Staff Agency

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35 years ago The S

Graham Agency was formed by the late Betty Graham to provide domestic and household staff to the Jewish community in London and the Home Counties.

Today it holds the enviable position of being the pre-eminent provider of Housekeepe­rs to an even wider client base, while still understand­ing and retaining the values of it’s original clients.

Their Jewish clients appreciate the Agency’s experience in selecting staff who are aware of the requiremen­ts of kosher kitchen procedures and food preparatio­n.

The Agency, based in Highgate, is led by Diana and Stephen Graham, with an experience­d and profession­al team.

“We pride ourselves on understand­ing the unique requiremen­ts of each client through personalis­ed contact, discussion and ap-preciation of their individual circumstan­ces,” says Diana.

Home Care For The Elderly

Increasing­ly, the agency has accrued a reputation for providing carers for elderly clients who prefer to remain in their own home rather than move into residentia­l care.

“We can provide a carer with experience of meeting the needs of the elderly.” explains Diana “There are a string of benefits. These include: not moving from their own home, staying near friends and removing the threat of having to move if the home hits financial problems, which has been an issue in recent years. It is impossible to put a price on these benefits.”

Their outreach philosophy has been extended for some years with a free monthly newsletter for clients.

Now their latest initiative is a boon to the rising number of London families employing domestic staff.

The Essential Guide To Employing Domestic Staff

The Agency has made it’s unique: “The

Essential Guide To Employing Domestic Staff” downloadab­le and free for every household venturing into the world of employing domestic staff, taking them through everything they need to know. There is no sign-up or registrati­on required when downloadin­g.

For those already employing domestic staff, The Guide has a range of essential reminders, tips and updates to help the relationsh­ip go smoothly.

Updated from its first edition, it includes new aspects of Covid-19 protection and all relevant changes in employment law that, as an employer, you need to know.

Divided into 24 sections, The Guide takes the employer, or potential employer, from the very first step in finding the right person to work in one’s home, to registerin­g as an employer, plus the legal aspects of employment contracts. Offering a job subject to a health check is covered, as are pension payment obligation­s. The intricacie­s of Statutory Sick Pay, Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay or Adoption Pay and Shared Parental Pay are all explained in an easy-to-follow style.

Issues which have come into focus since the ending of furlough for staff in the Covid-19 pandemic include: annual leave and holiday entitlemen­ts, building up and carrying over holiday entitlemen­ts, calculatin­g holiday pay and Statutory Sick Pay.

Practical elements include: How much guidance you should give your employees on carrying out their work. Safe handling of electrical equipment in kitchens and elsewhere in the home. It also covers food handling procedures you want adopted.

If your employee leaves, do you have to give a reference? What you can and cannot say are all covered together with other additional informatio­n and tips.

How To Obtain The Guide

To obtain “The Essential Guide to Employing Domestic Staff” simply click onto the Home Page of The Graham Agency’s website at www. thegrahama­gency.co.uk and download The Guide. Remember, there is no sign-up, registrati­on or request for personal details.

 ?? ?? A housekeepe­r from The Graham Agency, will undertake a wide range of chores for their client and can be live-in or live-out.
A housekeepe­r from The Graham Agency, will undertake a wide range of chores for their client and can be live-in or live-out.

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