Service Agreement for Independent Care and Domestic Workers

What a good one includes

• A detailed list of specific daily duties and any tasks that are explicitly excluded from your responsibilities.
• Clear payment terms, including your hourly rate, overtime rates, mileage reimbursement, and the exact schedule of when payments are due.
• A defined weekly schedule outlining your guaranteed minimum hours, designated breaks, and policies for late arrivals or early dismissals.
• A termination clause that specifies how much notice either party must give to end the agreement and what happens to pending payments.
• Emergency contact information and clear instructions on who is authorized to make decisions in your absence or during a crisis.
• A protocol for how purchasing household supplies or client groceries will be funded and reimbursed.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Leaving the scope of work vague, which inevitably leads to scope creep where you are asked to perform extra chores without extra pay.
• Failing to include a cancellation policy for last-minute shift changes, leaving you financially vulnerable when a client cancels on short notice.
• Ignoring local labor laws regarding your employment status, which can lead to tax complications or loss of domestic worker protections.
• Omitting rules about off-hours communication, resulting in clients texting or calling you at all hours of the night.

Frequently asked questions