Kentucky Household Employer Checklist

We’ve got you covered on the payroll end. Please read carefully the following resources and information to help keep you in compliance with KY labor laws.

Have your employee fill this out at time of hiring. You do not submit this to anyone, just keep it filed in case of an audit.

I-9 form

Have your employee fill this out at time of hiring. Refer to the data input by the employee to complete the employee’s profile in the app (you can change withholdings throughout year if employee requests this). You do not submit this form to anyone, just file it in case of an audit.

W4 form

This is protection for you from liability if your employee gets injured or sick on the job.

You are not required to have workers’ compensation insurance, but you want to make sure you’ll be covered in case there’s a workplace accident. The first place to start is to call the insurance company that you have your homeowner’s or renter’s policy with. You might already be covered, or you may need to add a rider to your coverage.

Overtime

Employees who work more than 40 hours in a 7-day workweek must be paid overtime. Overtime pay must be at least 1.5 times the employee’s regular hourly rate. Live-in employees are not required to be paid overtime.

KY Overtime as adopted by the Federal Labor Standards Act

Minimum Wage

Get the most current minimum wage for KY.

Fair Labor Standards Act

Domestic workers are covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.

Having a contract reduces awkwardness and misunderstandings, especially as things come up you just didn’t anticipate. If you don’t have a contract with your employee, you can download this one and modify for your situation. This one is for a nanny, but you can easily change out the role of the employee, such as for a housekeeper or caregiver, making it work for you.

Additionally, Hand In Hand, a non-profit that supports domestic employers + employees, is a good resource for tackling all sorts of challenges that come with household employment, creating a more dignified and respectful workplace for all. Take advantage of their excellent and free sample contracts and guide books.


The information provided on this page is general in nature. This is not to be taken as tax, legal, benefits, financial, or HR advice. Since rules and regulations change over time and can vary by location, consult an attorney or financial advisor for your specific situation.