Where it is demonstrated that household members are not able to undertake household services for the employee (that is, substantial disruption applies), the use of professional service providers should be engaged to undertake such tasks. Such providers should have:
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appropriate insurance coverage;
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proper systems to ensure accountability for their services;
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professional provision of services and correct mechanisms for payment of taxation; and
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necessary back up in cases of sickness.
Where claims are lodged on behalf of relatives or friends, these claims should be rejected, unless it can be clearly demonstrated by the employee that the relatives or friends are able to meet the above criteria.
The employee should clearly understand that, for the purposes of household services, at all times he or she is the 'employer' of the provider, having taken responsibility for choosing the provider to undertake services and being the recipient of any invoices for services. Comcare takes no responsibility for:
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the standard of service provided;
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the conduct of the service provider in the employee's home; and
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liability issues, including workers' compensation for the provider.