Domestic Worker

The main responsibilities of a domestic worker are to clean and tidy an employer’s home and wash and iron the laundry.

Specific tasks involved and materials and equipment used will vary slightly from one employer to another. Each employer gives instructions in respect of specific requirements. Domestic work can be done full-time in return for a salary and may possibly include accommodation. Part-time domestic workers work in a number of different homes during the course of a week.

Depending on the individual's skills and talents, a domestic worker may be called upon to carry out any of the following specialized duties:

caring for young children
collecting children from school or nursery school
baby-sitting
feeding and caring for pets
light garden duties
light sewing or mending
arranging flowers
preparing the dinner table and food for dinner or cocktail parties
helping and washing-up at functions or dinner parties
house-sitting for employers on holiday
taking accurate telephone messages.

The employer and the domestic worker, at the commencement of employment, should agree upon these tasks. In some cases certain tasks, particularly those that occur outside normal working hours or on an ad-hoc basis, will be paid for at an extra rate.

Personal Requirements

physically fit and healthy
reliable and honest
integrity
friendly
flexible

How to Enter

Schooling & School Subjects

No specific requirements.

What to Study

In most cases, employers train their domestic workers themselves by showing them how to do their tasks. A training workshop for domestic workers is also offered by the Pretoria Building Centre. Emphasis is placed on daily handling, cleaning and maintenance of electrical appliances and the application of cleaning agents. Handling of appliances is demonstrated and illustrated with a video. A certificate is issued after completion of the course.

Training for domestic workers is also offered by various groups and private training centres, amongst others the Apex, Emthonjeni Training Centre, as well as the group training centres of Natal and Bloemfontein. Enquiries in this regard may be made to the nearest office of the Department of Labour.

Employment

full-time positions away from home
full-time with families with children where both spouses are at work
part-time in a number of different homes

Getting Started

try to obtain vacation work in a children’s home or old age home
make an appointment to speak to a housekeeper at an hotel, for example, about this type of career

Related Occupations

Childcare Worker

Health Worker (Auxiliary)