Core Ethical Principles
- Honesty: Never lie to the principal, household management, or fellow staff
- Integrity: Do the right thing — especially when no one is watching
- Loyalty: Serve the family’s genuine best interests while maintaining your own ethical standards
- Confidentiality: Both a non-negotiable legal requirement and a fundamental ethical obligation
- Duty of Care: Legal and moral responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of every person in the household
Common Ethical Dilemmas
- Vendor offers gift or cash for recommending their services to the household
- Guest offers a large personal cash tip — do you accept without disclosure?
- Confidential financial documents left visible on a desk or table
- Principal gives an instruction that conflicts with your personal moral values
- A family member asks you to provide a cover story to conceal their whereabouts
The P.A.U.S.E. Framework
- P — PAUSE: Do not react immediately. Take a breath and think clearly and calmly.
- A — ASSESS: Is this legal? Is this ethical? Could this cause harm to anyone?
- U — consULT: When uncertain, speak privately and confidentially with your house manager.
- S — DOCUMENT: If serious, record your concern clearly in writing with date and time.
- E — ACT: Follow the household’s established code of conduct without deviation.
Your Personal Code of Conduct
- I will maintain absolute confidentiality at all times and in all circumstances
- I will treat every person with equal respect and full human dignity
- I will never accept gifts from vendors without complete disclosure to my supervisor
- I will always report concerns through proper, appropriate channels
- I will uphold the household’s reputation and values at all times
- I will prioritise the safety and wellbeing of all household members in every decision I make
Key Rule: P.A.U.S.E. — Pause, Assess, consUlt, document, Act. Never respond impulsively to any ethical dilemma. Impulsive reactions cause irreversible damage to careers and relationships.
