Useful Tips for Employers

Rewarding Work has been helping individuals and families connect to caregivers since 2004. Hiring on your own brings many rewards, such as having the ability to hire the person who is the best fit for you and your family, and being able to use your caregiving budget as effectively as possible. 

Below is important information to help you navigate the interviewing and hiring process as you get ready to begin a successful relationship with your new employee.

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Below is important information to help you navigate the interviewing and hiring process as you get ready to begin a successful relationship with your new employee.

Interview Tips

  • Make a list of candidates who look like they may be a good fit for you, and contact them to schedule a telephone interview or video call. 
  • The telephone or video “screening” interview helps to determine whether applicants meet the minimum requirements of the job. Prepare a list of questions and priorities to help you focus the interview on the things that are most important to you. Ask every applicant the same questions. 
  • Clearly explain the responsibilities and requirements of the job, the pay and the hours.
  • Schedule an in-person interview if you think the applicant may be a good candidate for your job.
  • Determine your level of comfort before meeting the applicant for the first time. Will you hold the interview in your home? If so, will there be anyone else in the house? Would you prefer to meet in a public place, such as a restaurant or library? 
  • Listen to your instincts. If you have a bad feeling about someone you are interviewing, there may be a good reason for your feelings.
  • Be as clear as possible about the job, your expectations of your employees, and what they may expect of you. Present a job description that describes the duties they will need to perform. 

Screening Tips

  • Always ask for and thoroughly check people's character and employment references. Keep in mind, however, that sometimes former employers will say good things about bad people or bad things about good people.
  • Criminal Background checks are encouraged and often required, depending on how you will pay your caregiver. Keep in mind that you should not solely rely on a criminal background check when making your hiring decision. A clean record does not guarantee that someone is trustworthy. Please click on your state (below) for specific information.

Please click on your state for specific information.

After you Hire

  • Develop a simple contract that you and your caregiver can discuss and sign. This should list the requirements of the job, the pay, and the hours. It is a good way to prevent misunderstandings later on.
  • Supervise your employee by giving direction and feedback.
  • Pay your employee on time.
  • Have a backup worker, friend or family member available for the first couple of days, in case your new hire doesn't show up for work. If the person you hired doesn't show up and doesn't call, hire someone else! Behavior like this does not improve with time.

These suggestions are offered as a service to employers, and cannot be construed as legal advice.
Rewarding Work cannot be held liable for any interactions between people who use this website.