At the Heart of the Action, Not Just on the Sidelines? The Role of Staff in Private Households

Silence is Golden

“Discretion is essential in our field of activity,” says Marcel Einfalt, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and co-founder of OPMG (Optimum People Management Group). Arguments between spouses or heated discussions between parents and teenagers pushing boundaries are stressful enough as it is. No one wants the general public to be kept up to date on every detail of family life via social media or the tabloids. Consequently, employees often sign legally binding confidentiality agreements – so-called NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements). These ensure that neither security-relevant information nor private gossip leaks out. For OPMG, however, commitment to discretion extends far beyond legal obligations: it is a self-evident, lived promise of values.

Between Proximity and Distance

Those who shape global politics during the day, lead numerous employees, or perform at the highest level of professional sports in front of millions need to know that once they return home, they can simply be ‘private’ instead of ‘functioning’.

“We are the invisible backbone of a great life,” says Elmar Huber, CEO and founder of OPMG, perfectly capturing the vital role of household staff in this context. Housekeepers, drivers, and close protection officers ensure that the cogs of daily life mesh silently in the background while their employers recharge.

Once the ideal candidate for a position is found, the collaboration often lasts for many years or even decades. After all, nobody wants to encounter new, unfamiliar faces every day while moving between the living room, bedroom, and bathroom. Familiar people who recognize needs even before they are voiced provide the sense of security and comfort a home requires. “From this close bond of trust, a bond akin to friendship can develop over time,” Elmar Huber knows. You witness the children growing up and become part of the family’s history. Yet, despite all the familiarity and connection, Huber warns against confusing a loyal, long-term collaboration with friendship. “Professional distance should be maintained”, notes the longtime private chef and experienced recruiter. True professionalism in a private household is shown by being present when help is needed and withdrawing when the family wishes to be alone. It is this tactful intuition that distinguishes service in a private household from employment in corporate environments. Those who master this balancing act and can set aside their own needs accordingly may find their dream job for many years to come – be it in a townhouse, a country estate, or on a superyacht.