House Management

Butler uniform in the media and real life In the media you often see a butler dressed very conservatively and formally; usually consisting of a waistcoat, grey or grey striped trousers, a white shirt with a «Windsor» cut, and a black or grey tie. The point is to be formal …

Maintenance and logistics on clothing and outwear is a classic task in the daily life of being a Butler. All clothes are unique. Cotton, silk, wool and others must be treated differently. It is recommended to note down all specifications before packing; dry-cleaning, washing and company care instructions. Remember that …

A recent poll of 2,677 individual (including Employees and their HR Managers) conducted by a Human Resources consulting firm out of San Francisco revealed that 98% of the participants thought annual performance reviews were unnecessary. Putting aside that dubious 98% figure – the sort of figure one finds in “elections” …

The Butler is often THE contact person or liaison when it comes to household maintenance and control. A maintenance manual should be readily available, either inside the main household manual or as its own separate manual. Repairs, faults and a general maintenance log should be a natural part of such …

I am often asked by individuals with varying professional and educational backgrounds for suggestions on ways to “break in to” the Private Service field. Specifically, I am most frequently asked for ideas on how one might become a Household Manager. The route to becoming a household manager It is a …

The ancient Babylonians made them 4,000 years ago. The Romans began their tradition around 46 B.C. with promises of good conduct for the year to come. The Christian tradition is thought to have started in 1740 with the “Covenant Renewal Service,” which was created by the English founder of Methodism, …

If there is truth to the saying that there is no such thing as a stupid question, why do so many of us feel the opposite in our jobs and prefer the murk of unknowing to the risk of asking and perhaps being exposed as a fraud? The question prompts …

It has become commonplace for job seekers in the Household Management field to assert that they are “Certified” by virtue of having attended and graduated from a particular school. Sadly, the designation “Certified” is meaningless in far too many cases. It is a true shame when we consider that these job seekers …

Last time I wrote about preventive measures employers should take to minimize the potential for domestic staff theft in their household. This week I am addressing what an employer should do in the event that theft has occurred or there is suspicion thereof. I think this last item is important. …

Training at the front end of any career, and ongoing until the day we retire, at least, is a given for butlers and household or estate(s) managers today. In the old days, the only training route was on-the-job training and apprenticeship that was hands-on heavy, light on theory, and limited …