Situations :: Dealing with domestic servants

Get your servant registered with the local police and also keep his photograph and address at home or in your office. Most of times people are scared to register the servant with the police for the fear of losing the servant. It is highly suggested that do not give in to such fears as your safety depends upon such a step. Though, registering with the police is no guarantee that the servant is of good character but atlesat it acts as a deterrent to the servant in case he has evil designs in his mind. If still you are not willing to go for the servant registration, atleast take a photograph (it could be some kind of a family photo with the servant clearly visible in it).

	Do not handle large cash jewelry or valuables in presence of the servant. He should not know the location in the house where you generally keep your cash or valuables. If perchance he comes to know, then the place should be promptly changed before it is too late. As a rule you should keep changing such places from time to time.
	If you have guests in the house they should be similarly advised and helped in safely storing their valuables. After the guests leave, you or a family member should be the first to look for any valuables inadvertently left behind by them.
	These steps are not only in your interest but equally in fairness to the servants also and prevent undue suspicion on them.
	Keep yourself generally informed of you servant's movements, interests and associates during his free time or weekly holiday. This information will help if he disappears after an incident or otherwise.
	Do not allow your servants to have free access to the keys of the house. As far as possible he should not carry the keys out of the house for duration long enough to get duplicates made.
	Do not entrust the keys of the whole house to him. Only give him the essential keys, which he needs to use.
	Even if the servant is honest and loyal, do not entrust him with large amount of cash or valuables in his own interest. Even for smaller amounts, he should fully render accounts. You can tip him liberally for good work or behavior but let him not take liberty with your money by habitually keeping the change. Opportunity is known to have lured some otherwise normal people into crime. It generally starts with petty pilferage.
	Normally, discourage ex-servants from frequently visiting you. Remember why and under what circumstances he left you. Also, he is neither your friend nor a relative. Ex-servants are known to have committed crimes on account of continued free access to the house and the family.
	Do not leave the whole house open to him in the beginning. There is no harm if he feels that you do not trust him. Let him earn your confidence.
	Equipment like CCTV(What's this ?,s20) and PIR(What's this ?,s126) are useful for keeping a watch on the activities of the servants.
	Above all, remember that your servant is a human being and could fall prey to the usual allurements. He may be honest today but don't take the same for granted for all times to come. Most of the times, it is his habits and the company that he/she keeps will determine his attitude.