Information for Travelers

Domestic Staff Security Awareness

• Domestic staff can aid or detract from the security of a household.  Domestic staff should be briefed on security practices.  It is critical that they be rehearsed and re-briefed from time to time to refresh their memory and to update previous instructions.  Domestic staff should be briefed on visitor control, how to report suspicious or unusual activity, proper telephone answering procedures and admittance of maintenance personnel to the residence.  They should also be made aware of emergency telephone numbers.
  
• Domestic staff should not be allowed to admit visitors without specific approval.  When visitors are expected, domestic staff should be informed of their probable time of arrival and identification, and should not unlock or open the door until visitors have been properly identified. 
  
• Domestic staff should never give a caller the impression that nobody is home, nor should they tell when the occupants are expected.  They should be directed to reply that occupants are busy and will return the call if the caller will leave his/her name and telephone number. 
  
• Domestic staff should not be allowed to overhear family plans and official business.  Letters and business information should not be left unsecured in the residence. 
  
• Personal drivers should vary routes and times – locking all doors, keeping windows rolled up and maintaining at least half a tank of fuel at all times. Personal drivers should not engage in conversation with outsiders associated with your nationality, job, residence or schedule. 
  
• Employers should try to gauge the alertness and attitudes of domestic help and other local national employees for indications of laxness or changes of allegiance.  Suspicious activity on the part of domestic staff should be confronted.  
  
• Hire Domestic staff who have vetted references and who have received training.   
  
• In the event of an adverse employment situation (i.e. preparing to terminate, suspicion regarding potential theft), be prepared to ask staff to leave the premises immediately.