Wages, hours and leave for household staff in Delhi
What is standard for a full-time maid, cook, nanny or driver in Delhi NCR — and what to agree before the first day, because most placements that go wrong go wrong over something nobody said out loud.
Standard salaries
For a full-time placement through neato, a maid earns ₹16,000 a month on an 8-hour shift, ₹18,000 on 10 hours, ₹20,000 on 12 hours and ₹22,000 live-in. Cooks and nannies earn ₹2,000 more at each tier, and drivers ₹4,000 more. These are the rates in our app, and the full table is in the salary guide.
Pay on a fixed date each month, in full, and keep a record — a bank transfer is simplest. Late or partial salary is the fastest way to lose good help, and under neato’s terms a delayed salary also affects the replacement promise.
Working hours
Agree a start time, an end time and what the shift covers. “Full time” means different things in different homes; an 8, 10 or 12 hour shift written down does not.
If you need someone to stay late occasionally, agree in advance how that is handled — extra pay, time off in lieu, or a longer shift. Stretching the day without saying so is the most common complaint staff raise.
Weekly off and leave
Most full-time placements in Delhi NCR include one weekly off. Agree which day at the start, and whether it can move when you need it to.
Live-in staff usually expect some days of leave each year for festivals and to visit family, often in one block. Agree how many days, whether they are paid, and how much notice you each give. Most of this is agreed between the household and the worker rather than fixed by a single rule, which is exactly why it should be written down.
Festival bonus
A festival bonus around Diwali is a widespread custom in Delhi NCR households — commonly a month’s salary or part of one for staff who have been with you through the year. It is a custom rather than a rule; what matters is saying at the start what you intend, so it is not a surprise either way.
A written agreement
One page is enough: the role, the monthly salary and pay date, the hours, the weekly off, the leave, whether it is live-in, and the notice either side gives. Both of you sign and keep a copy.
A placement through neato comes with a written booking confirmation that records the engagement terms. If you hire directly, write your own — it protects the staff member as much as it protects you.
Police registration
Whoever you hire through, register household staff with your local police station. Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh police all offer it online as well as at the station, and it needs a photo, an ID proof and a short form.
Hire with the terms agreed up front
The request takes under a minute and asks exactly what the app asks. No account, no payment up front — our team calls you back with matched, verified profiles.