Domestic Staffing Glossary

Why This Glossary Exists

Domestic staffing in Pakistan runs largely on terms nobody writes down. Households use words like batman, mali and servant quarter without ever being told precisely what they mean, and agencies use words like verified and guarantee that sound specific but frequently are not.

This page defines both kinds: the traditional role names that carry real meaning in Pakistani households, and the process terms that determine what you are actually buying when you hire through an agency. Where a term is commonly misunderstood, the definition says so plainly.

Terms A to Z

Batmanalso: Personal attendant

A personal attendant assigned to one individual rather than the household as a whole, handling errands, wardrobe, travel arrangements and daily personal support. The term comes from military usage and remains common in households with a military or civil-service background.

CNICalso: Computerised National Identity Card

The national identity card issued by NADRA to Pakistani citizens. Verifying a candidate CNIC against NADRA records is the first step of any genuine background check, because every other check depends on confirming the person is who they claim to be.

Domestic couple

Two staff members, usually married, hired together to cover a larger property between them. Typically one handles cooking and interior work while the other covers driving, gardening, security or maintenance. Almost always a live-in arrangement.

Eidi

A festival bonus customarily given to domestic staff around Eid, commonly a portion of a month salary. Not legally required but widely practised, and households that give it consistently tend to see lower turnover.

Helper

A general-purpose household role assisting with whatever is needed on a given day: kitchen preparation, carrying, tidying and errands. Distinct from a maid, whose work is centred on cleaning, and typically the most affordable entry point into household staffing.

Live-in

An arrangement where the staff member resides at the employer property in accommodation the household provides, usually with meals included. Carries a lower cash salary than the equivalent live-out role because board and lodging form part of the package.

Live-out

An arrangement where the staff member works defined hours and returns to their own home. Costs more in cash salary than live-in but requires no accommodation and keeps the household private outside working hours.

Malialso: Gardener

The common Urdu term for a gardener. Frequently hired on an ongoing monthly basis for larger properties, or on a fixed schedule of visits per week rather than full-time.

NADRAalso: National Database and Registration Authority

The Pakistani government body that issues and maintains records for the CNIC. Checking a candidate identity document against NADRA records is what separates genuine identity verification from simply looking at a card.

Notice period

The agreed amount of warning either side must give before ending the arrangement, commonly two to four weeks. Protects the household from being left without staff suddenly and the staff member from losing income without warning.

Placement fee

A one-time charge paid to an agency when a household confirms a hire, standardly equal to one month of the agreed salary. Distinct from a monthly commission model, where an agency takes an ongoing cut of the staff member pay.

Police Character Certificatealso: Police Clearance Certificate

An official document issued by a person local police station confirming whether they have any recorded criminal history in that jurisdiction. Harder to fabricate than a written reference letter, which is why it forms part of genuine verification.

Replacement guarantee

An agency commitment to restart a search at no additional fee if a placement does not work out within a defined window. The terms that matter are the exact duration, what triggers it, and whether it is genuinely free rather than partially charged.

Servant quarter

Separate accommodation on a property, common in larger Pakistani homes, used to house live-in domestic staff. The presence or absence of one is usually the practical factor deciding whether a household can realistically offer a live-in arrangement.

Trial period

A short paid period, typically one to seven days depending on the role, where a candidate works in the household before either side commits. The single most reliable predictor of fit, and considerably more informative than an interview alone.

Turnaround

The time between a household first making contact and a placement starting work. For common roles drawn from a standing pre-verified pool this is typically 24 to 48 hours; narrower or more specialised requirements take longer.