Did you know? We now offer our services in the UAE!
Introduction: Why Filipino Domestic Staff?
Hiring domestic staff is a significant decision that can transform your family’s daily life. Filipino domestic staff are renowned worldwide for their exceptional work ethic, childcare expertise, and household management skills. At The House of Yaya, we specialize in connecting UK and Dubai families with skilled Filipino nannies, housekeepers, and carers who provide outstanding service.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about hiring Filipino domestic staff – from understanding your legal obligations to creating the perfect employment relationship. Whether you’re a busy professional in London seeking household support or a family in Dubai requiring childcare assistance, this comprehensive resource will help you navigate the process with confidence.
Our Approach
At The House of Yaya, we primarily connect UK families with Filipino domestic staff who already have the right to work in the UK. This approach simplifies the hiring process and allows for a quicker start date. For those requiring specific skills not available locally, we can also source candidates from overseas, though this requires additional steps including employer sponsorship.
Understanding Your Legal Obligations
When hiring Filipino domestic staff, you must understand and comply with specific legal requirements to ensure a lawful employment relationship.
employing a nanny: Legal Requirements When Employing a Nanny in the UK
When employing a nanny in the UK, you become their employer in the eyes of the law. This means you must comply with employment legislation including:
- Providing a written statement of employment terms within two months
- Ensuring working hours comply with the Working Time Regulations
- Paying at least the National Minimum Wage
- Providing statutory benefits including paid holiday, sick pay, and maternity/paternity leave
- Setting up employer's liability insurance
The process of employing a nanny involves several administrative steps that many busy professionals find challenging to manage alongside their careers. Understanding these obligations from the outset helps ensure a smooth employment relationship and prevents potential legal issues.
UK Residency Status Options for Filipino Domestic Staff
At The House of Yaya, we primarily work with Filipino domestic staff who already have the right to work in the UK. This includes individuals with:
- British citizenship
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or Settled Status
- Pre-Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme
- Existing work visas with the right to work as domestic staff
- Existing work visas with the right to work as domestic staff
Working with candidates who already have work rights in the UK simplifies the hiring process significantly and allows for immediate employment once references and background checks are complete.
- UK-Based Candidates
- Overseas Candidates
UK-Based Candidates with Right to Work
For most families, we recommend working with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK. The benefits include:
- Immediate start dates without visa processing delays
- No sponsorship requirements or immigration complexities
- Lower administrative burden and associated costs
- Typically smoother interview and hiring process
Our extensive network includes highly qualified Filipino domestic staff across the UK who already have appropriate work authorization.
Sponsoring Overseas Candidates
In some cases, families may wish to sponsor a candidate from overseas. This requires:
- Obtaining a sponsor license from the Home Office
- Meeting minimum salary thresholds for sponsorship
- Demonstrating the role cannot be filled by a UK resident
- Paying Immigration Skills Charge and other visa-related fees
- Complying with ongoing sponsor duties and reporting requirements
This path involves significant additional costs and administrative requirements, but may be necessary for families with specific requirements or those seeking to sponsor a particular individual.
Important Note on Sponsorship
If you're considering sponsoring a candidate from overseas, you'll need to obtain a sponsorship license from the UK Home Office. This process typically takes 8-12 weeks and requires demonstrating compliance with various eligibility criteria. We can provide guidance on this process, but families should be prepared for additional costs and administrative requirements.
Dubai-Specific Legal Requirements
For families in Dubai, the legal framework differs significantly from the UK. Key requirements include:
- Obtaining work permits through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs
- Providing mandatory health insurance coverage
- Meeting minimum salary requirements
- Ensuring appropriate accommodation
- Processing documentation through Tadbeer service centers
Dubai employers must also provide a minimum of one paid rest day per week, 30 days of annual leave, and a round-trip ticket home every two years for their domestic staff.
Need assistance with employment regulations?
Our team can guide you through your legal obligations when employing Filipino domestic staff in the UK or Dubai.
Financial Responsibilities
Understanding the financial aspects of employing domestic staff will help you budget appropriately and ensure compliance with tax regulations.
nanny tax: Understanding Nanny Tax Obligations for UK Employers
Understanding nanny tax obligations is essential for all UK employers hiring domestic staff. As an employer, you must register with HMRC for PAYE (Pay As You Earn) if your employee earns £123 or more per week. This system ensures you correctly deduct income tax and National Insurance contributions from your employee's wages.
- Registering as an employer with HMRC
- Setting up and running payroll
- Calculating and deducting the correct tax and National Insurance
- Making employer National Insurance contributions
- Submitting regular reports to HMRC
- Providing payslips to your employee
Nanny Tax
Nannytax - UK's Leading Nanny Payroll Service TRUSTED PARTNER
For expert guidance on nanny tax matters, we recommend consulting with specialists at Nannytax. Their team can handle all aspects of payroll administration, ensuring you remain compliant with HMRC regulations while saving you valuable time. Nannytax offers comprehensive support for first-time employers, including payroll processing, contract creation, and ongoing HR advice.
nanny housekeeper hourly rate: Salary Considerations and Budgeting
The nanny housekeeper hourly rate varies depending on experience, qualifications, and location. In London, the nanny housekeeper hourly rate typically ranges from £13 to £20 per hour for live-out arrangements. Live-in positions usually command a weekly salary of £450-£650, reflecting the comprehensive nature of the role.
When budgeting for a Filipino nanny or housekeeper, consider these additional costs:
- Employer's National Insurance contributions (13.8% above the threshold)
- Pension contributions (minimum 3% of qualifying earnings)
- Holiday pay (5.6 weeks per year)
- Sick pay entitlements
- Insurance premiums
In Dubai, salary expectations differ, with monthly rates typically ranging from AED 2,500 to AED 4,500 depending on experience and responsibilities.
Salary Tip
When determining appropriate compensation, consider the breadth of responsibilities your Filipino nanny housekeeper will handle. Many families find that paying a competitive salary results in longer retention and higher quality service.
Recommended Resources
We've partnered with trusted service providers to help make your experience of employing Filipino domestic staff as smooth as possible.
Trusted Partners
Nannytax
NannytaxThe UK's leading nanny payroll service specializing in PAYE, contracts, and HR support for families employing domestic staff.
Morton Michel
Morton Michel InsuranceSpecialist insurance provider offering comprehensive employer's liability and household staff insurance packages.
ACAS
ACASGovernment organization providing free and impartial information on employment rights, rules and best practices.