Temporary Personal Assistant FAQs

Do I pay the temporary employee directly?

Yes, you will pay the candidate their wages directly upon completion of the assignment. There is a four-hour minimum each time a candidate comes to your home. Please note that the candidate’s wages are separate from the agency fees that are due when we book a temporary employee for you.

What agency fees can I expect?

There is a one-time Agency registration fee of $150. This registration allows you lifetime access to our qualified candidate pool. Payment of the registration fee does not guarantee that the agency will be able to fill every assignment.
For client requests during normal business hours, there is a referral fee of 35% of the total gross wages for each temporary employee placement. The minimum fee is $25 per day for each temporary placement. The referral fee is due when a candidate is confirmed for your assignment and is payable via credit card. Temporary fees are charged based on the anticipated total gross compensation for the entire period of employment. Supplemental fees will be due if the assignment is extended. The referral fee is separate from the wages you pay directly to the temporary candidate at the end of the assignment.
Our temporary department counselors are also available to take requests during after hours, Fridays from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Agency fees and nanny wages for requests made after hours are identical to fees and wages for Hotel Nanny placements. Click here for our after hours contact information.
Please note that fees for Hotel Nannies are structured differently.

What are your fees for Hotel Nannies?

For each Hotel Nanny booking, there is a referral fee of $10 per hour if the booking is made more than 24 hours in advance, or $15 per hour if made less than 24 hours in advance. Placements must be at least four hours. The referral fee is due when a Hotel Nanny is confirmed for your assignment and is payable via credit card, and the amount is  based on the anticipated total number of hours of the assignment. Supplemental fees will be due if the assignment is extended.
The referral fee is separate from the wages you pay directly to the temporary candidate at the end of the assignment.
Agency fees for any requests for on-call nannies made during after hours are the same as the agency fees for Hotel Nanny placements. Our temporary department counselors are available to speak with you during after hours, Fridays from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
There is no Agency registration fee necessary for Hotel Nanny placements. Town & Country clients who have already paid the registration fee may book Hotel Nannies during regular business hours at the regular Temporary Nanny rate.

What is your cancellation policy?

If the assignment is changed or cancelled after a candidate is confirmed, the full temporary referral fee is due.

How do you screen your temporary candidates?

Our temporary candidates go through the same thorough screening process that all of our candidates go through. For our temporary candidates, we take additional steps to ensure that our information remains current as long as they are continuing to work with us for temporary assignments. In particular, after each temporary assignment for a client who is new for that candidate, we follow up with the client to get their feedback. We also rerun certain background checks, including the criminal records and driving records checks, every six months.

Is it possible to hire the same candidate for each assignment?

Our most qualified temporary employees are popular and get booked in advance, so we cannot always guarantee the availability of a specific person.  Of course, we are always happy to check availability of any candidate for you. As with any service professional, the earlier you plan, the more likely it will be that you can book the employee you want at the time you need.

What if I want to hire a temporary candidate on a permanent basis?

If you and your temporary candidate agree to do so, you may hire your temporary candidate on a permanent basis. The Town & Country referral agreement details fees that are due when you hire any candidate that you have met through us. The Referral Agreement covers fees that are due for both temporary and permanent hires.  Your Placement Counselor will be happy to review the Referral Agreement and fee structures with you.  You can also read our fee policy for permanent employees in our Frequently Asked Questions section. Temporary fees do not apply toward a permanent referral fee.

Can a temporary employee drive my children?

We suggest that temporary employees do not drive your children.  However, we understand that sometimes having a temporary employee drive your children is unavoidable. If the employee must drive your children, please contact your insurance provider to ensure that your children and property are covered by your policy. If the temporary employee is using his or her own vehicle we suggest you confirm their insurance coverage. We also suggest that you personally inspect the vehicle in which your children will be driven to ensure it is safe. If you have young children, also ensure that they will be seated in appropriate car seats.

Do I need to be concerned about payroll taxes?

When you hire an employee through Town & Country, according to the IRS, the candidate is considered your household employee, not an independent contractor or an employee of the Agency. Whether the employee is hired on a temporary or permanent basis, you may be required to withhold and report payroll taxes to the state and the IRS.
California law states that if you pay any number of employees (temporary or permanent) more than $750 in a calendar quarter, you are required to file for a tax ID number and pay certain employer taxes required by the state. In addition, when you pay any individual candidate more that $1,700 in a year, you are required to file for a federal tax ID and withhold and pay both state and federal taxes.
While Town & Country is not directly involved in any tax filings or reporting, we are knowledgeable about the subject and happy to answer any questions you may have.
We also suggest that you contact our partner Breedlove & Associates at 1-888-273-3356 or at http://www.breedlove-online.com. Breedlove & Associates specializes in helping household employers handle household payroll taxes.  They provide excellent information and can help you make the best tax-related decisions for you and your family.

What else do I need to know about temporary placements?

By signing an agreement with Town & Country, you agree to not share the name or contact information of any candidates referred by the agency with your friends or associates. If you contact a candidate referred by Town & Country for future assignments, you are required to report the hours and pay the appropriate placement fee.