Employing, being 'The Boss', being a mate... Describe your approach to employing PAs

JustPete

The dynamic between me and my employed PA/Carers is hugely complex.  It is individualised.  It is also extremely challenging.  More importantly, from a psychology/human interaction perspective it is enormously fascinating.

Good Employer?  Bad Boss?  OCD? or more Laid Back?

Describe your approach to being an employer of PA's.  Let's share different approaches / styles.  Share your views on how you keep a good employee?

poppy123456

I employed a PA for my daughter for 8 hours a week back in 2018. I did the interviews in our home. I advertised for exactly what I was looking for and was very nervous because I had never done anything like this before. I had no idea what to expect. Not only that, my daughter was adamant that she didn’t want any PA. 

After the interview I knew exactly who my choice was and immediately contacted her to offer her the job. 

She was such an extremely nice person and made a massive difference to the quality of my daughters life, despite the 25 year age difference. 

I took the laid back approach because I didn’t want my daughter thinking it was formal and this worked for us. 

Her PA was very flexible and changed days and times to suit my daughter. I was also flexible with the PA and this worked well for her too. 

We always chatted before she took my daughter out and again when she brought her home. 

I never thought of myself as her employer, more a family friend. 

Unfortunately my daughter lost all her support when we moved local Authorities so no longer has her as a PA.
We keep in touch and she still takes my daughter to the cinema and to concerts. I couldn’t have wished for a more loving and friendly person!