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Your obligations as an employer

Coming to live in a private home in a new country puts workers and employers in a special relationship of trust. Although the relationship is a professional one, we urge you to do all you can as an employer to help your employee adjust to life in Canada. You can refer your employee to agencies or other organizations that can offer support. You must be aware that you are an employer and have all the responsibilities which that entails.

You must provide acceptable working conditions, reasonable duties and fair market wages. You must provide accommodation which ensures privacy, such as a private room with a lock on the door. You should provide your employee with a key to the house to ensure freedom of access.

It is your employee's home as well as his or her place of work. Your caregiver pays rent for a room in your home and is entitled to privacy. You should not enter the caregiver's room without his or her permission. You should respect the caregiver's cultural or religious practices and discuss your employee's needs.