US work authorization and household employees

Please understand that this is a serious question and not an attempt to cause drama or to start a debate. This may be a sensitive topic, and I'm NOT trying to place any judgments here or anything else, nor am I attempting to start an immigration debate. I DO have a serious question. I'm not trying to stir the pot or make bad assumptions or anything else.

I'll be having a few cleaning people / services in over the next several days to give me some prices for house cleaning. I plan to hire someone to come in regularly to clean. It is extremely important to me (for legal and professional reasons) that whoever I hire is legally authorized to work in the US or only hires people who are legally authorized to work in the US. How do I ask people and verify this information without insulting someone? FTR, no, I'm NOT assuming everyone who cleans houses isn't working legally or anything of the sort. HOWEVER, this is the first time I'm hiring someone directly to work for me, and I need to make darn sure everything about it is legit. When I hire contractors / subs to work on the house, I always ask them if they verify the employment eligibility of those who work for them and if so, how. I'm more concerned about how to ask individuals who work for themselves and how to verify this information.

Any thoughts or experiences?

Again, I realize this is a sensitive topic. I am not trying to make huge assumptions or anything else. This is important to me for legal and professional reasons, and I'm in no wy trying to voice an opinion about anything. I'm just trying to make sure I do things correctly in this instance. (And, yes, I'm also on top of the tax and other issues with respect to hiring household employees)

Thank you.

Re: US work authorization and household employees

Have you considered using a service, like the Maid Brigade?

Or are you only interested in individuals?


ETA: I just realized you said you were getting estimates from services. Don't they have anything written about background checks, which would include legal status?

Message edited 1/18/2008 3:38:04 PM.

Re: US work authorization and household employees

I'm open to services as well.

I just have a few personal recommendations to call, too, that I figured were worth a shot.

I'm nervous about someone being in my house, too, so I was hoping for personal recommendations of employees people trust... but I wouldn't rule out a service.

Re: US work authorization and household employees

I think a straight question is appropriate. You are a legal professional and have to abide by legal, ethical and moral guidelines.

If you are interviewing someone who is a referral, you may be able to ask the person who referred them, but knowing the gravity of the situation, due diligence is ultra important.

Explain that you cannot hire anyone who is working illegally in the US. Just as you asked your contractors for documentation, you can ask a cleaning professional as well.

Re: US work authorization and household employees

I'm not sure about hiring an individual, but for our old apartment and our office we hired a service. They are insured and bonded, we pay them through our business, claim it on our taxes, etc. We deal with the owner of the business and I honestly don't know what the arrangment that he has with his employees is.

Our assumption was that if they are insured and we are naming the business in our taxes that they are legit.

I don't have any experience with hiring an individual cleaning person.

HTH!

Re: US work authorization and household employees

Re: US work authorization and household employees

Re: US work authorization and household employees

Re: US work authorization and household employees

Found this on MSN: How to Hire a Maid

Another article about hiring an employee: http://www.scribd.com/doc/9046/Article-Hiring-Your-First-Employee

Message edited 1/18/2008 3:51:39 PM.

Re: US work authorization and household employees

Re: US work authorization and household employees