However, since most expats living in Johannesburg employ at least part-time domestic help, it's a good idea to prepare for this aspect of expat life in order to avoid a few common mistakes. Domestic help is available in many spheres of life in Johannesburg. Some expats employ a live-in nanny for their small children, a few might need a driver to take them to and from work, or they may want somebody to do the cooking for them.
Most commonly, domestic workers are employed in South Africa to do the household cleaning, washing and ironing. Many of the larger houses in Johannesburg have built-in domestic quarters to accommodate live-in help, leaving residents free to decide whether they want live-in staff or someone who commutes to work every day.
It is important for expats to think about what exactly they would expect from a domestic worker to avoid misunderstandings and disappointment later on. Many expats who move to Johannesburg have never had domestic help before but, even so, they need to think about how their worker's day should look. After all, they will be spending a lot of time in the same space.
One of the biggest mistakes expats make is hiring someone without prior work experience or references. Simply hiring the neighbour's maid's sister when she comes knocking is not ideal, just as it wouldn't be in any other profession.
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The best way to find a housekeeper is through word of mouth in the neighbourhood or within the expat community, where there is typically a high turnover whenever people relocate.
