Ghosts Aren't the Real Threat in Luxury Homes - Staff Lawsuits Are
Edited by Becca Berkenstadt
Most of my calls don’t come on peaceful days. They come after something’s gone wrong….
An employee threatens to call an attorney.
A housekeeper demands years of back pay.
A property manager mentions the labor board.
Suddenly, a home that once ran on trust feels like it’s under investigation.
The Moment Everything Feels Risky
Private households naturally blur the line between personal and professional. When staff have been with you for years, it’s easy to think “we’re like family.”
But that mindset often means there are no systems, no policies, and no paper trail — until one day, those missing systems become evidence.
What Employment Scares Really Cost
Consider the…
Emotional Cost: Feeling blindsided and betrayed.
Reputational Cost: Gossip and attorneys erode privacy.
Financial Cost: Six-figure settlements and restaffing.
The deeper truth: most employment scares stem from system failure, not bad intent.
The Missing Systems
Corporate environments have HR, compliance, and structure. Private service rarely does.
That’s where things unravel — misclassified employees, undocumented overtime, unclear communication.
I step in to stabilize the situation — drafting job descriptions, creating NDAs, fixing payroll systems, and re-establishing a clear chain of command.
From there, we build preventive systems:
Policies and protocols
Onboarding and offboarding processes
Performance frameworks
Recordkeeping and reporting
Every household is unique, but structure protects everyone.
Why “We’re Like Family” Isn’t a Defense
The phrase sounds warm — but it’s the most common reason estates end up in legal trouble. Boundaries disappear, records vanish, and emotional loyalty replaces compliance.
A few hours of documentation could prevent months of conflict.
The ROI of Prevention
Preventive estate operations aren’t just about risk — they’re about peace. Homes run smoother, staff stay longer, and homeowners lead with confidence.
Because the cost of prevention is a fraction of the cost of recovery.
If you’ve had an employment scare — or want to make sure you never do — now is the time to act.
Speak to Kelly about systems as well as templates and reporting. Now through October 31, 2025, get 25% off three 1:1 strategic calls with Kelly Fore Dixon.
