When a household employs a domestic helper, nanny, caregiver, cook or driver, it becomes an employer â often without a payroll department, accountant or HR software. Pay is frequently handled informally: cash in an envelope, a quick bank transfer, an advance noted on a scrap of paper. A simple monthly payslip replaces that informality with a clear, shared record. This guide explains why itâs worth doing and what to put on it.
Why give a payslip to household staff
It may be required
In a number of places, domestic workers are covered by the general employment law, a dedicated domestic workersâ law, or a standard employment contract â and some of these require written records of wages or a receipt for each payment. Requirements differ widely, and they change. Our country pages summarise the situation and link to the official sources:
For anywhere else, check with the labour ministry or the agency that issued the workerâs permit.
It protects both sides
Disagreements in household employment usually come down to memory: how many rest days were worked, whether an advance was repaid, whether a holiday was paid. A payslip that both sides keep a copy of settles those questions. For the worker, it is proof of what they were paid. For the household, it is evidence that wages were paid correctly and on time.
It helps the worker
Domestic workers â particularly migrant workers â often need proof of income for remittance services, bank accounts, visa renewals or a future employer. A consistent series of payslips is the simplest way to provide it.
What to include
A household payslip can be simpler than a company one, but it should still be itemised. Suggested contents:
| Section | What to show |
|---|---|
| Employer | Name of the employer (the person named in the contract) and home address |
| Worker | Full name; a reference such as permit or contract number if useful (avoid printing full ID numbers unless required) |
| Period and pay date | E.g. â1â31 October 2026, paid 31 October 2026â |
| Days worked | Number of working days in the period |
| Rest days | Rest days taken, and any rest days worked with the compensation agreed or required |
| Public holidays | Holidays taken or worked, and how they were compensated |
| Leave | Paid leave taken this period and balance remaining |
| Basic wage | The monthly (or daily) wage stated in the contract |
| Overtime / extra duties | Hours or days and the amount paid for each |
| Allowances | Food, transport, phone or other allowances, each on its own line |
| Advances | Any advance paid this period, and repayments deducted |
| Deductions | Only deductions the law and contract allow, each listed separately |
| Net pay | The amount actually paid |
| Payment method | Bank transfer reference, or âcashâ |
| Acknowledgement | For cash payments, space for the workerâs signature and date |
The overtime calculator helps with extra-hours arithmetic, and the salary converter converts between monthly, daily and hourly figures if the contract states pay one way and you need another.
Advances and deductions: be careful
Many households lend money to a worker or pay part of the salary early. Thatâs fine, but record it properly:
- Write down the advance when itâs paid, with the date and amount, and have the worker acknowledge it.
- Show repayments as a separate deduction line on each payslip, with the remaining balance.
- Check whatâs permitted. In many places, the law limits which deductions an employer may make from a domestic workerâs wage, and some deductions â for example for accommodation, food the employer is obliged to provide, or agency fees â may be prohibited. When unsure, donât deduct; check the official guidance first.
Never withhold wages as a penalty or as security. Paying the full agreed wage, on time, is the employerâs most basic obligation.
Paying by bank transfer vs cash
Bank transfer creates an independent record of each payment and is often recommended â and in some places required â for domestic workers. If you pay in cash:
- Count it in front of the worker
- Have them sign and date the payslip or a receipt
- Keep your copy and give them theirs
Language and format
Write the payslip in a language the worker understands; a bilingual payslip is ideal. Keep the layout the same every month so changes stand out. A PDF sent by message or email works well, but some workers prefer a printed, signed copy â offer both.
Keeping records
Keep copies of every payslip, the employment contract, records of advances and repayments, leave records and proof of payment. Retention periods are set by local law and can extend beyond the end of the employment. See payslip record keeping for general guidance and verified periods in several countries.
Store these documents securely. They contain personal data about someone who lives or works in your home, and they shouldnât be shared with other household members, neighbours or agencies without a legitimate reason.
A monthly routine
- Agree the days worked, rest days and overtime with the worker at month end.
- Record any advance given and the repayment due.
- Fill in the payslip and check that gross â deductions = net.
- Pay â preferably by bank transfer â on the agreed pay day.
- Give the worker their copy; for cash, get a signature.
- File your copy with the monthâs records.
The PayslipKit generator works in the browser and stores nothing on a server. It can save your household as the employer profile, so each month you only update the figures. Country presets pre-fill typical line labels; you enter every amount yourself.
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules for domestic workers â including permitted deductions, rest days and record keeping â vary by country and change over time. Verify with the official source for your location, or ask the relevant labour authority.