Bringing a new house help into your home is more than handing over keys and a list of chores. A proper introduction and induction sets the tone for respect, safety, efficiency and long-term harmony. When you take time to introduce a new house help thoughtfully, you reduce misunderstandings, prevent safety incidents, improve job performance, and create a stable working relationship that benefits everyone.

Below is our practical, employer-focused, step-by-step induction guide (with scripts, tips and a printable checklist) to help you welcome, orient, and train a new house help the right way.

Why a proper introduction matters

A deliberate induction:

Builds trust and mutual respect from day one.
Reduces turnover and recruitment time/costs.
Ensures safety (food handling, fire risk, medicines, children).
Clarifies expectations, preventing future disputes.
Helps your house help become productive faster.

Think of induction as an investment: 2–3 hours up front can save weeks of miscommunication and stress later.

Quick induction checklist (printable)

Welcome & introductions (family, pets)
Walkthrough of home layout & safety briefing
Keys, access codes and privacy rules
Work hours, breaks, days off and leave policy
Clear duties & priorities (daily, weekly, monthly)
Demonstration of how you want specific tasks done
Food, nutrition and storage rules
How to handle visitors and phone calls
Cleaning products, equipment training and PPE
Childcare or eldercare specifics + emergency contacts
Where to store personal items and locker rules
Pay, payday, deductions and record of employment
Probation period, review date and feedback plan
Signature: acknowledgement of induction and rules

(Tip: Save this checklist as a one-page handout to give to the house help.)

Step-by-step induction process

1. Prepare before arrival

Before the new house help arrives, do the admin work. Preparation signals respect and makes the first day less chaotic.

What to prepare:

A short welcome note with start time and who they'll meet.
A printed copy of the one-page induction checklist and duties list.
Keys, lanyards or access codes if needed.
A clear workspace or locker area for their personal belongings.
A list of emergency contacts (your number, alternate adult, nearest clinic, local police).
Basic protective equipment: gloves, apron, cleaning cloths, face mask if handling chemicals.

2. Warm welcome and personal introductions (10–15 minutes)

First impressions count.

Do this:

Greet them at the door, shake hands (if culturally appropriate), and introduce yourself. Use their name often.
Introduce family members and explain roles briefly: “This is James (works from home), these are our children Amina (8) and Kevin (5).”
Introduce pets and any house rules about pets (e.g., feeding times, no-go rooms).
Share a cup of tea or water — a simple human touch goes a long way.

Script example:
“Welcome, Mary — we’re glad you’re here. I’m Antony. This is my wife, Grace, and our daughter Amina. We’ll show you around the house and then go over your duties and our expectations. If you have any questions at any time, please ask.”

3. Home tour and safety briefing (15–20 minutes)

A physical walkthrough helps your house help learn the environment quickly.

Walk through:

Main living areas, kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, bedrooms, storeroom.
Where cleaning supplies are kept and which chemicals are off-limits.
Locations of first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and exits.
Electrical hazards and how to turn off water/electricity in an emergency.
If stairs are present, point out slippery areas and handrails.

Safety quick points:

Never leave children unattended in the bath.
Don’t mix cleaning chemicals (e.g., bleach + ammonia).
Report broken appliances immediately.

4. Explain hours, breaks, pay & administrative details (10 minutes)

Clear, transparent terms prevent many future conflicts.

Cover:

Working hours, start and finish times, lunch and tea breaks, and weekly rest day(s).
Probation period length (e.g., one month), pay rate, payday and acceptable payment methods.
Overtime rules, sick leave and notice period for absence.
Any deductions (e.g., food provided) — explain fully and get consent.
How performance reviews work and when they’ll happen.

Tip: Provide a simple written contract or employment letter summarizing these terms and ask them to sign to acknowledge understanding.

5. Duties: walk through the daily, weekly and monthly tasks (30–45 minutes)

Don’t assume your house help knows how you prefer things. Show them.

Structure duties by priority:

Daily (must-do): e.g., morning kitchen tidy, sweeping, making beds, washing dishes.
Weekly: e.g., deep clean bathrooms, change bed linen, clean refrigerator.
Monthly or occasional: e.g., oven deep-cleaning, curtain washing, gardening tasks.

For each task:

Demonstrate exactly how you want it done (don’t just tell).
Explain acceptable standards (e.g., “sweep until no visible dust and mop with the windows open”).
Show tools and supplies to use, and tools to avoid.

Demonstration script:
“Here’s how we fold our sheets — we prefer them folded this way so they fit the shelf. Watch me first, then give it a try.”

6. On-the-job training: supervised practice (1–3 days)

After demonstration, supervised practice helps cement habits.

How to structure it:

Ask the new house help to perform tasks while you observe — correct gently and praise improvements.
Allow them to ask questions and encourage hands-on practice.
For complex tasks (childcare, medication, specialized appliances), provide repeated demonstrations and a written step-by-step.

Note: Some employers pair a new helper with an experienced helper for the first 2–3 days to learn routines.

7. House rules, privacy & boundaries (10 minutes)

Clarify expectations that affect household harmony.

Common rules:

Areas that are private (e.g., master bedroom).
Whether they can receive visitors or personal calls during work hours.
Use of household phone or devices.
Rules about borrowing items, preparing personal food, or shopping for the employer without permission.
Social media and sharing photos about the household — many employers forbid this.

Frame rules respectfully: explain the “why” so they aren’t arbitrary. For example, “We keep the master bedroom private because it stores personal items and medicines.”

A house help at work in Nairobi

8. Childcare and eldercare specifics (if applicable)

If they’ll care for children or elders, go detailed.

Cover:

Daily routines: meals, naps, school drop-offs/pickups, playtime rules.
Allergies, medications, medical conditions and how/when to administer meds.
Emergency procedures: what to do if a child falls, fever protocols, and who to contact.
Discipline policy — what you allow (time-out? positive reinforcement?). Be explicit.

Write down medication schedules and school contacts. Nothing should be left to memory in these cases.

9. Handling visitors, deliveries and money matters

Make expectations clear to avoid awkward or risky situations.

Tell them:

How to greet visitors (if allowed) and when to call you first.
If they are permitted to accept deliveries or sign for parcels.
Whether they should ever handle money, bank errands or shop for household supplies — set boundaries and give a spending limit and receipts policy.

10. Cleaning products and equipment training

Misuse of cleaning chemicals causes stains, damage and health risks.

Explain:

Which products to use on which surfaces (e.g., no bleach on stainless steel).
Proper dilution ratios and PPE use (gloves, masks).
How to operate appliances safely (washing machine, microwave, pressure cooker).
Disposal of hazardous waste (e.g., paint, batteries).

Provide short labels or a laminated “product guide” near the supplies.

11. Emergency plan and contacts

Make sure they know exactly what to do in emergencies.

Provide:

A laminated card with emergency phone numbers and nearest clinic address.
Clear steps for fire, severe injury, or a child choking.
Location of the first aid kit and how to use basic items (bandages, antiseptic).
Who to call if you’re not reachable (trusted neighbor, relative).

Recommend a short practical first-aid training if the helper will be primarily responsible for children or elderly care.

12. Probation review and feedback rhythm

Set expectations for evaluation and open communication.

Plan:

A review at the end of the probation period (e.g., 4 weeks) to discuss performance, pay, and long-term terms.
Weekly short check-ins for the first month to address problems early.
Encourage two-way feedback: ask them what they need to perform better.

Positive culture tip: Praise specific good behavior publicly (e.g., “You made the children’s lunch exactly as we like — thank you.”)

Common mistakes to avoid

Rushing the induction. Skipping explanations causes repeated mistakes.
Assuming knowledge. Don’t assume they know local appliances, medications, or your family’s routines.
Not documenting terms. Oral agreements can lead to misunderstandings.
Punitive first response. Discipline should be fair — teach before punishing.
Ignoring safety. Neglecting safety briefings puts everyone at risk.

Sample one-day induction timeline (example)

08:00 — Warm welcome & introductions
08:15 — Home tour & safety briefing
08:35 — Explain hours, pay and administrative terms
08:50 — Show daily tasks and standards (kitchen, laundry)
09:30 — Demonstration: cleaning bathroom & mopping
10:00 — Supervised practice
12:30 — Lunch break; informal chat & questions
13:15 — Childcare specifics / eldercare training (if applicable)
14:00 — Equipment & product training
15:00 — Recap, sign employment letter & give checklist handout

Frequently asked questions

Q: How long should a probation period be?
A: Typically 30–90 days depending on complexity of duties. One month is common for general housekeeping.

Q: Should I give a written contract?
A: Yes — even a simple employment letter outlining hours, pay, duties and probation protects both parties.

Q: What if my house help disagrees with the rules?
A: Discuss calmly. Explain the reasons, be willing to compromise on non-essential points, but keep safety and legal requirements non-negotiable.

Q: How often should I provide training?
A: Ongoing. Give formal refreshers at 3 months and during seasonal tasks (deep cleaning, holiday preparations).

Closing / Call to action

Introducing a new house help well is a small effort with big returns: fewer misunderstandings, safer home, and a happier working relationship. Use the induction checklist, be clear and kind, and follow up with supportive feedback.

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How to Introduce a New House Help to Your Home: A Step-by-Step Induction Guide for Employers