The private service industry is thriving—dynamic, fulfilling, and filled with incredible opportunities. However, with its rapid growth comes a pressing challenge: the absence of consistent industry standards. Unlike many established professions, private service lacks universal benchmarks for agencies, recruiters, clients, and candidates to rely on. This gap has led to widespread variability and inconsistencies that affect everyone involved
Inconsistencies in recruitment practices, job expectations, and benefits erode trust and place undue pressure on those striving to deliver excellence. Job candidates often face unrealistic demands, such as excessive hours, minimal time off, or inadequate benefits, while agencies struggle to balance professionalism with meeting client needs. Without clear, agreed-upon standards, the professionalism and growth potential of the private service industry remains hindered
This raises an important question: Why hasn’t the private service industry united to establish clear, consistent industry wide standards that benefit all stakeholders?
Championing Change
As the private service industry evolves, addressing this issue has become increasingly critical. Through my work with Luxury Lifestyle Logistics, I have spent over a decade fostering professionalism and implementing best practices. My mission has always been to elevate the field by engaging in meaningful conversations with all stakeholders to drive a positive agenda forward.
Despite its growth, the estate management sector often remains disconnected from broader discussions about workers’ rights, even as advocacy for domestic workers has made remarkable progress. For example, the National Domestic Workers Alliance has successfully campaigned for Domestic Workers' Bills of Rights in 13 states, securing fair wages, paid leave, and safe work environments. These achievements highlight a shared truth: all home-based work—whether performed by domestic workers or estate professionals—exists within the same cultural and organizational contexts. Workplace culture profoundly impacts everyone, shaping environments that can either support or undermine those who work within them.
Recognizing the rights of workers and creating equitable workplace environments benefits employers and employees alike. It builds trust, fosters respect, and strengthens the foundation for long-term success. However, meaningful change must originate from within the industry. Thought leaders and associations must proactively establish best practices that address these challenges, shaping the conversation before external regulations are imposed.
Collaboration as the Key
Collaboration is essential to addressing these issues. Recruiters, agencies, clients, educators, consultants, and service providers must work together to define and adopt shared standards that emphasize fairness, professionalism, and sustainable success. This effort transcends individual achievements and is about advancing the industry collectively.
My involvement with organizations such as the Private Service Alliance and my volunteer work with the former Domestic Estate Managers Association have shown me the power of dialogue and collective action. These platforms have reinforced my belief in aligning the industry around shared principles to drive meaningful progress.
Balancing Innovation and Tradition
The modern estate management movement, as we know it today, emerged during the economic boom of the 1980s, driven by policies under President Ronald Reagan and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. This era of rising wealth created a heightened demand for household staff, reviving standards for the domestic worker-principal relationship rooted in the Edwardian Era of the early 20th century. During this period, domestic service was at its peak, emphasizing strict hierarchy and formal roles (Jacobs, 2017).
However, today’s estate management professionals operate in a vastly different context. They are trading silver trays for iPads in a digitally connected world, reflecting broader societal and technological changes (Frank, 2015). Over the past 40 years, the private service industry has evolved significantly, but this evolution necessitates the adaptation of standards to align with modern expectations
The industry must address these shifts by protecting both workers and estate owners. This requires establishing updated standards that ensure fairness, professionalism, and sustainability in an environment where traditional roles intersect with modern innovation. By doing so, the private service field can remain relevant and competitive while fostering long-term success.
The Need for Clear Benchmarks
The current dynamics in the private service industry underscore the urgency of establishing industry-wide benchmarks. Such standards would provide:
Recruiters: A framework for understanding service environments and matching candidates thoughtfully, including a universal questionnaire to ensure alignment between candidates and roles with tools to uphold professionalism without compromising their competitive edge.
Candidates: Confidence in fair working conditions, competitive benefits, career opportunities, and transparent referrals that protect confidentiality and facilitate career mobility.
Clients: Guidance in creating realistic job descriptions that foster long-term success while safeguarding household standards.
Clear, consistent standards would address these needs, ensuring a fair and balanced approach that benefits all stakeholders.
Building a Sustainable Future
The private service industry has immense potential, but achieving it requires a commitment to shared principles of fairness, professionalism, and sustainability. By aligning around these values, we can protect workers, empower employers, and uphold the reputation of agencies of all sizes.
This work is about more than luxury—it is about fostering mutual respect and understanding to create thriving workplaces. As I have done with my clients, I aim to extend these principles to the broader industry, advocating for solutions that address its unique challenges.
The future of private service depends on collaboration. By working together, we can establish a foundation for excellence and redefine estate management for generations to come. What do you think? Are we ready to embrace progress, or will we continue without the standards that could elevate our industry? Let’s collaborate to shape the future of private service together. To discuss the evolving estate management industry, please contact Luxury Lifestyle Logistics today.
References
Frank, R. (2015, December 12). Today’s butlers are trading silver trays for iPads. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/13/business/todays-butlers-are-trading-silver-trays-for-ipads.html
Jacobs, E. (2017, February 16). House managers: Why they remain invaluable to today’s Global Rich. Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/content/3c71f20a-ef7d-11e6-ba01-119a44939bb6