Rise of Hybrid Domestic Staff
After 22 years in the domestic staffing industry, I’m going to attempt to bring clarification for both private staff employers and private service professionals in one of the most controversial topics nowadays – namely the rise of Hybrid Domestic Staff.
If you are seeking to recruit hybrid domestic staff with an exclusive domestic staff agency like Bespoke Bureau, please call or email us: +442032900142 or info@bespokebureau.com
What is a hybrid role?
First of all, what is a hybrid role?
In our post-pandemic world, a “hybrid job” usually means that someone works from home part of the time. However, a hybrid position in the world of domestic staffing means to mix several jobs into one.
In today’s luxury household staffing industry, high-net-worth families often seek multi-skilled private service professionals who can take on multiple roles. From Personal Assistants who double as Executive Assistants to Butlers who also serve as Chauffeurs. Needless to say, hybrid roles are becoming increasingly common. House managers also play a crucial role in managing multiple responsibilities within a household, ensuring smooth operations and effective coordination.
Why the rise of hybrid domestic staff?
The world of household staffing has undergone a vast evolution over the years. With the rise of ultra-high-net-worth families, the demand for skilled and experienced household staff has boomed. As a result, a more complex recruitment process is required. Importantly, emphasizing on finding the right candidate for each unique role.
In the past, household staffing was often managed through word-of-mouth recommendations. Families relied on personal networks to find suitable staff, which sometimes led to mismatches in skills and expectations. However, the growth of the private staffing industry has changed this process. Recruitment agencies have become essential, specializing in sourcing exceptional candidates for private households, family offices, and estates.
How can families create sustainable hybrid roles while ensuring they attract and retain top-tier household staff?
Some private household hybrid roles make sense. Others can lead to employee burnout, high turnover of domestic staff, and employer disappointment.
Understanding specific staffing needs is essential to create sustainable hybrid roles that meet the unique requirements of each household.
Increased demand for specialized skills in the rise of hybrid domestic staff
One new trend in household staffing is the increasing demand for specialized skills. As smart homes and advanced technologies become more prevalent, households seek staff who can manage complex systems and provide expert technical support. Additionally, there is a growing need for high-level administrative support, with roles such as personal assistants and estate managers becoming more critical.
Discretion and confidentiality have also become paramount in modern household staffing. Especially in n era dominated by social media and a 24-hour news cycle. Households now require staff who can handle sensitive information with the utmost care. Recruitment agencies address this need by conducting thorough background checks and vetting candidates to ensure they can maintain confidentiality.
When is it appropriate to have a hybrid role?
Consult with an agent about hybrid roles. For smaller estates, it’s only natural that the principal of the home would want to have one person perform several different tasks. You might, for example, have a nanny also engage in personal assistant duties like running errands when the kids are at school. That is perfectly fine and acceptable.
However, things start getting questionable when high-net-worth employers run wild with the concept of hybrid jobs. If, for example, someone wants a butler, driver, dog walker, chef and housekeeper, it’s obvious that someone is not realistic in their expectations. Believe it or not, we get calls from families that ask for this sort of solution. It’s not made up.
What Is a Sustainable Hybrid Household Role?
A sustainable hybrid role is one where responsibilities naturally complement each other, there is sufficient time to carry out the duties and that they can be executed efficiently without sacrificing quality. The best household staffing solutions take into account the flow of daily operations and the employee’s core expertise. Understanding the unique requirements when you hire private staff for hybrid roles is crucial to ensure a perfect fit.
Examples of Sustainable Hybrid Roles:
Personal Assistant + Executive Assistant: If the principal needs support at home and in business, combining PA and EA duties can be efficient.
PA + Nanny: Also known as a “Family Assistant”. A nanny who also manages errands, scheduling, and light household duties while the children are at school.
Butler + Chauffeur: A butler who provides personal service who can also handle transportation needs.
Unrealistic Expectations in Luxury Household Recruitment Process
A typical mistake in domestic staffing is assuming that one employee can seamlessly replace another with the same skills.
Many families assume that because they’ve once had a housekeeper who could cook well, they can find another one just like them. However, this is not the case or standard. It is a real plus but not realistic to expect.
Instead, families should consider:
- Was cooking a core part of their last housekeeper’s expertise, or just a skill they developed over time?
- Would hiring a part-time chef or cook be a more practical solution?
- Are you willing to adjust their expectations to find the right long-term fit?
The key to successful household staffing is understanding that specialization leads to higher quality service.
Finding the Right Balance
If you’re hiring for a hybrid private service role, ask yourself:
- Do the responsibilities align naturally? (e.g., do they complement each other in a typical workday?)
- Is this job realistically sustainable for one person?
- Are you offering a competitive salary that reflects the level of expertise required?
- Would hiring a domestic couple or multiple staff members be a more effective solution?
In many cases, splitting an overloaded hybrid role into two specialized positions leads to better household efficiency, higher job satisfaction, and long-term employee retention. Additionally, opting for permanent placements can further enhance household efficiency and ensure long-term employee retention.
The Role of Recruitment Agencies in Household Staffing
Recruitment agencies like bespoke bureau play a big role in the household staffing industry. Agencies like us specialize in finding exceptional candidates for private households, family offices, and estates.
One of the primary benefits of working with a recruitment agency is our deep understanding of the household staffing industry. With years of experience serving ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, agencies like ours are well-versed in the unique needs and challenges of such households. Moreover, we provide expert advice and guidance throughout the recruitment process, from the initial consultation to the final placement. Aftercare and support is available too.
Access to top candidates
Access to exceptional candidates is another significant advantage of using a recruitment agency. We have extensive networks and connections, enabling us to attract top talent from around the world. Last but not least, we conduct vetting to ensure that candidates are not only experienced, but also trustworthy and reliable.
Recruitment agencies like us offer comprehensive services to support the entire process. From bespoke solutions tailored to meet individual client needs to ongoing support and guidance, they ensure a smooth and efficient hiring experience. Whether you’re looking for a personal assistant, estate manager, or private chef, a recruitment agency can help you find the right candidate for the job.
Contact us today to find the perfect private service professionals for your home.
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