Well In my opinion, before entering into any agreement whether you are a Employer or a House Boy, you should do your due diligence. Here are some tips that I think help some.
communicate back and forth, don't be afraid to ask the questions about housing, sleeping arrangements, what you expect, what they expect, what is part of the arrangement and what is not. Make sure before you meet in person that you speak on the phone, I would also suggest you have at least one video chat as well Before Meeting, insist on a background check, This is for both Employers and Houseboys. There are places on the web you can have it done. Check out the essentials
Arrest Record Driving Record in some cases a soft credit report (A soft pull describes an inquiry that does notaffect your credit score. Soft pulls, or soft credit checks, frequently occur and oftentimes you may not even be aware of it happening. Each soft pull is noted on your credit history file but they are only for you to see and are not available for lenders to view. Examples of soft credit pulls include:
Credit report and score checks that you request yourself. Initial credit checks by credit card companies that want to solicit you for a pre-approved credit card. Initial credit checks by mortgage companies to pre-approve you for a loan. Credit background checks by a potential employer. Periodic credit checks by your insurance or credit card company to keep tabs on you.) I say even houseboys should do this. You don't want to get in a house only to find out that your employer is seriously past due and about to lose his house, car, and much much more, cause chances are you will be the one left out in the cold. And the most important thing. Get a contract drawn up, if you cant afford a lawyer you can find sites on the web that have basic employment contracts. Take that both of you sign it and have it notarized.
None of these guarantee you anything but by having a legal contract and one or the other defaults on their end any future employers or houseboys that connect with this person and they follow the same steps they will see it on the background check.
Side Note: this only works if when one party defaults on the contract you take them to court (small claims will do just fine, yes you want whats coming to you but you will also be helping the next guy alot and isnt that what its really about?)
I know what I laid out is complicated but you cant rely on someone posting on the internet, you need proof, alot of times the one posting the smack is really the shady one, they know what to do and they are quick to beat the honest guy to the punch.
Lastly I can not stress this enough:
Potential Employers: Be cautious after doing all the above, don't give them access to your accounts, that includes your pin number, don't hand them a credit card because you dont have time to accompany them. Have them open an account at the same bank as you, you can then transfer money to them with out a fee.
Potential Houseboys same goes for you, i have heard stories of the Employer telling a naive boy to turn all there financials and effects over to them and they will take care of them.. Be cautious in doing this cause many times you are the one that gets so buried in debt that you cant get out.
I know this was long winded but I hope it helps someone.
