What Washington’s New Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights Means for Families Hiring Household Support

by Jash | Jul 7, 2026 | News

In March 2026, Washington took a significant step forward for household employment by passing the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights (HB 2355), a landmark piece of legislation that will take effect on July 1, 2027. The new law establishes a range of protections for domestic workers working four or more hours a month, including nannies, housekeepers, household managers, cooks, gardeners, personal care providers, and other professionals who provide services within private homes.

At Pepper’s Personal Assistants, we view this legislation as a positive step forward for both workers and families. For more than 14 years, we’ve operated on a simple belief: when employees are supported, respected, and treated professionally, everyone benefits.

“I was happy to co-sponsor and help pass HB 2355, the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, during the 2026 legislative session in Olympia.” said Cindy Ryu, State Representative for Washington’s 32nd Legislative District, co-sponsor of HB 2355. “Domestic workers in Washington State are often women working hard to support their own families while improving the quality of life for others. HB 2355 recognizes the value of their work and helps ensure they receive the protections and respect they deserve.”

Representative Ryu also noted that “The bill’s passage was supported by business owners like Kara Roberts, who understand and embrace its intent and goals. Through Pepper’s Personal Assistants, Kara has built a company that already reflects many of the values embodied in HB 2355 by providing health insurance, paid time off, 401(k) benefits, and ongoing training for the personal assistants she employs to support local families and individuals with household management.”

As the implementation date approaches, this new law serves as an important reminder that hiring someone to work in your home comes with real responsibilities.

Understanding the New Law

HB 2355 establishes baseline protections for domestic workers in private homes, focused on fair pay, written agreements, workplace rights, and enforcement.

Core Protections

Fair Compensation: Domestic workers must be paid at least the state minimum wage and receive overtime (1.5x pay) for hours worked over 40 in a week.
Written Agreements: Employers must provide a written employment agreement, in a language understood by both parties, outlining terms, pay, and schedules.
Paid Sick Leave: Workers accrue at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked.
Privacy & Rights: Employers may not confiscate personal documents, monitor private spaces (such as bathrooms), or include noncompete or mandatory arbitration clauses.

Termination & Severance

Notice Requirements: Employers must provide advance written notice of termination of at least two weeks, or four weeks for live-in workers.
Severance Pay: If required notice is not provided, severance pay is owed.
Anti-Retaliation: Workers are protected from retaliation, including immigration-related threats, with a presumption of retaliation if adverse action occurs within 90 days of asserting rights.

Enforcement

Workers may file complaints with the Washington Department of Labor & Industries or pursue a private civil lawsuit for damages and attorney fees in cases of violations.

What This Means for Families

Many families hire household support to help manage demanding careers, children’s schedules, travel, aging parents, and the countless responsibilities of daily life.

What many don’t realize is that hiring household staff often means taking on the role of employer.

That responsibility can include:

Employment agreements
Payroll and tax compliance
Time and overtime tracking
Labor law compliance
Performance management
Documentation and recordkeeping
Professional terminations
Staying current with changing regulations

For families with no HR or employment-law background, these responsibilities can quickly become overwhelming adding to the already strained mental load.

Why Professional Support Matters

For more than 14 years, Pepper’s Personal Assistants has built a model designed to support both clients and employees.

Our personal assistants are W-2 employees who receive ongoing training, management, HR support, and employee benefits. We maintain employment policies, address performance concerns, provide a substitute personal assistant for employee PTO, and provide the structure needed to build successful long-term working relationships.

This approach has always been central to our philosophy, not because legislation required it, but because it’s the right way to support people.

For clients, that means peace of mind. Rather than navigating employment complexities alone, they gain access to established systems, experienced professionals, and a dedicated team committed to helping both clients and employees succeed.

As Washington’s Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights takes effect in 2027, we believe it represents a meaningful step forward for domestic workers, families, and the future of household employment.

Life Managed Well: Why Full-Service Support Matters More Than Ever

by Jash | Jul 2, 2026 | News

Most families don’t start out looking to become employers. They start with a need: more time, more ease, and more support at home. Someone to help manage the moving parts of daily life, schedules, travel, meals, households, pets, aging parents, and everything in between.

But in practice, hiring household help often turns into something very different: managing staff.

From Support to Employer

When families hire directly, they quickly find themselves responsible for much more than household help. They become employers often without realizing it.

That can include:

Payroll and tax compliance
Employment agreements and labor law requirements
Scheduling, overtime tracking, and documentation
Performance management and conflict resolution
Terminations, notices, and legal compliance
Staying current with evolving employment laws

What begins as a simple desire for help at home can quietly turn into a second job: managing employment.

Managed Support vs. Managing Staff

At Pepper’s Personal Assistants, we’ve built something different. Instead of families managing employees on their own, we provide fully managed support, a system designed so clients can stay focused on their lives, not HR responsibilities.

We think of this as the difference between:

Managing Staff

You are the employer
You handle compliance, payroll, HR issues, and risk
You navigate performance and legal complexity alone
You carry the administrative and emotional load

Managed Support

We employ and support your household manager
We handle HR, payroll, compliance, and training
We provide ongoing oversight and employee development
You focus on life, priorities, and enjoying the outcome

This is the foundation of what we call Life Managed Well.

Designed for Real Life

For more than 14 years, Pepper’s has refined a model built around one idea: household support should actually create ease not additional responsibility.

Our personal assistants are W-2 employees who receive:

Ongoing training and professional development
HR support and performance management
Payroll, benefits, and structured employment systems
Clear expectations and documented processes
A dedicated team behind every placement

Just as importantly, clients are supported too. We don’t just place someone in a home, we stay involved, helping ensure the relationship works over time. With our Perfect Fit Guarantee if your assistant isn’t the right fit or your needs change, we will seamlessly replace them at no additional cost.

Why This Matters Now

With new legislation like Washington’s Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights taking effect in 2027, the responsibilities tied to household employment are becoming even more defined.

But the deeper truth has always been the same, hiring someone into your home isn’t just about getting help, it’s about taking on responsibility. And most families don’t actually want to become HR departments.

Finding A Different Way Forward

Life doesn’t get simpler by adding more to manage. It gets simpler when the managing is handled for you. That’s the difference between managing staff and having managed support.

And it’s the foundation of what we mean when we say: Life Managed Well.

The Power of Us: A Lesson in Support, Connection, and Living Well

by Jash | Jun 29, 2026 | News

At Pepper’s Personal Assistants, we believe life works better when we don’t do it alone.

Recently, our Founder and CEO, Kara Roberts, attended the EO Women’s Summit in Lisbon, where women from around the world gathered to discuss leadership, health, resilience, money, and personal growth. While there were countless insights shared, one simple message stood out:

“I’m here for you, and that makes me happy.”

That spirit of presence and support showed up throughout the summit. From conversations about topics women don’t discuss often enough, from money to menopause, to stories of resilience, reinvention, and leadership, the common thread was connection.

One powerful exercise challenged participants to sit knee-to-knee with a stranger and make eye contact for six minutes without speaking. What began as discomfort became a reminder of how deeply people crave genuine connection and understanding.

The experience reinforced something we see every day at Pepper’s: support isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity to support drive and growth.

Many of our clients are accomplished professionals managing demanding careers, households, families, and countless responsibilities. The goal isn’t to do more. It’s to create space for what matters most.

Space for family.

Space for health.

Space for joy.

Space to be fully present.

The summit’s theme centered around The Power of Us, and it couldn’t have been more fitting. When people come together to share knowledge, offer support, and lift each other up, everyone benefits.

That’s what we strive to create at Pepper’s every day: a life with more ease, more support, and more room for the things that matter most.

Because living well was never meant to be a solo endeavor.

Celebrating Cheyan DuVal, Employee of the Quarter

by Jash | Jun 10, 2026 | employee of the month, News

At Pepper’s Personal Assistants, we often talk about the magic that happens when someone combines intuition, consistency, and genuine care. It’s the difference between simply completing tasks and truly transforming someone’s day-to-day life.

This quarter, we are incredibly proud to recognize Cheyan DuVal as our Employee of the Quarter.

Not only for the exceptional work she delivers to clients, but for the unique perspective and problem-solving abilities she brings to every home she supports. Cheyan embodies Pepper’s Personal Assistants core commitment of what it means to “Provide Ease.” She anticipates needs before they become stressors, notices details others may overlook, and creates systems that help clients feel calmer, more supported, and more capable in their daily lives. Her work reflects the very heart of Pepper’s mission: making life easier in ways that are both practical and deeply personal.

What makes Cheyan especially remarkable is the way she sees the world.

When asked what strengths help her best support clients, she described her skills with refreshing honesty and humor: “weaponized autism and elite pattern recognition.” While playful in phrasing, there’s something deeply powerful behind that statement. Cheyan’s perspective allows her to recognize patterns, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement in ways that many people simply cannot. She notices the small details that often go unseen. In the world of household management, this ability is invaluable.

Clients often come to Pepper’s because their lives are full. They’re balancing careers, children, businesses, schedules, caregiving responsibilities, travel, social commitments, and the constant stream of logistics that modern life demands. What they truly need is not just another set of hands. They need someone who can think ahead. Someone who can anticipate. Someone who can quietly create order where there was once overwhelm.

That is where Cheyan shines.

Her day-to-day responsibilities may sound straightforward on paper: errands, laundry, tidying, meal preparation, household upkeep. But the value she provides goes far beyond task completion.

Cheyan approaches household management strategically. She observes how a home functions and naturally begins optimizing it.

She notices where systems break down, where routines create unnecessary stress, and where a small adjustment can create meaningful relief for a client.

Whether it’s anticipating household supply needs, creating smoother organizational systems, adjusting routines to support a family’s schedule more efficiently, or simply recognizing the rhythm of a home and adapting accordingly, Cheyan consistently demonstrates an extraordinary level of awareness and initiative.

The ability to create trust and consistency is part of what makes Pepper’s so special as a company.

At Pepper’s Personal Assistants, we know that exceptional service is never just about efficiency. It’s about people. It’s about relationships. It’s about creating support systems that genuinely improve quality of life. Team members like Cheyan help bring that mission to life every single day through the care, intention, and professionalism she brings into clients’ homes.

We are incredibly grateful for the consistency, intelligence, humor, and heart Cheyan brings to the Pepper’s team. Her work may happen quietly behind the scenes, but its impact is felt deeply by the clients she supports and the families whose lives run more smoothly because of her efforts.

We are so proud to celebrate Cheyan as Pepper’s Employee of the Quarter!

Meet Our Employee of the Quarter, Marie Vezina

by Jash | Feb 3, 2026 | News

Great support changes lives.

And at Pepper’s Personal Assistants, that great service starts with the great people on our team. That’s why we’re always proud to highlight their work, dedication, and the real difference they make in our clients’ lives.

No two clients are the same, which is why we believe deeply in tailored service. We take great care in matching each client with a personal assistant whose strengths, skills, and style align with how that client lives and works.

Because of our bespoke approach, our clients regularly share how transformative their personal assistants are. There is a certain level of care, attention, and intention that goes into providing that kind of support. By no means is this work accidental.

When so much care goes into our work, it is our pleasure to take moments like this to highlight the people who make it all possible.

We’re pleased to introduce to you Marie Vezina, our Employee of the Quarter.

Meet Marie

Marie has only been on the Pepper’s team for a few months and she’s already made such a tangible impact, not just internally but in the lives of the clients she supports every day. To put it simply: she’s crushing it.

She embodies our core values perfectly, especially our goal to provide ease. She’s always looking for opportunities to help her peers, the executive team, or—most importantly—her clients find ease in their work and lives. Whether she’s managing complex to-do lists, anticipating client needs, or communicating clearly and calmly under pressure, Marie brings a sense of order and reassurance to everything she touches.

That’s a lot to achieve in just two months, and we couldn’t be prouder to recognize her as our Q1 2026 Employee of the Quarter. She absolutely deserves recognition for the amazing work she is doing.

Marie’s Unique Flair as a Personal Assistant

Each of our personal assistants brings their own combination of skills and experience to the role. Marie brings a global perspective and a calm, grounded presence to her work. Both have been shaped by her background and personal interests.

Her first language is French, and she grew up in Montreal, Canada, before moving to Seattle in 2020. Outside of work, she enjoys baking and experimenting with new gluten- and dairy-free recipes. She also loves to travel and immerse herself in different cultures.

One of the things her clients consistently speak highly of is her attention to detail and the way she provides thoughtful, all-around support. Marie credits this to her ability to adjust as priorities change, along with her strong administrative skills.

Two skills stand out as key to her success: flexibility and creating structure. “I adapt quickly to any situation, and I am very organized.” she says. It’s a combination essential in every great personal assistant since no two days are ever the same. Priorities shift, schedules change, and new requests appear without warning. The ability to pivot smoothly while keeping everything running behind the scenes is what separates good support from exceptional support.

For clients, this adaptability often shows up as relief. They don’t need to explain things twice or worry about details falling through the cracks. They can trust that their personal assistant is tracking all the moving parts.

Marie’s Thoughts on Support and Building Relationships

One of the most surprising aspects of the role for Marie is “how time flies when you have a lot of things on your list,” she shared.

That feeling is familiar to many of our personal assistants, and it’s also telling. Our personal assistants rely on deep focus and engagement as they anticipate and manage the needs of their clients. It also speaks to how invested and inherently supportive Marie is in her work.

When asked what brought her to Pepper’s, Marie didn’t hesitate to say “I wanted to help other people.” That motivation sits at the core of Pepper’s mission. While skills and systems matter, the genuine desire to support others is what creates trust.

A trust-building mindset is one of the reasons that Marie has been able to build such strong relationships with her clients. In fact, one of her favorite client memories is being invited along with her husband to the dress rehearsal of The Nutcracker. That’s what we mean when we say our personal assistants are a dedicated part of every client’s total support system. Because the support they provide often evolves into mutual respect, appreciation, and even shared experiences that reflect the trust and rapport that can develop over the course of a great working relationship.

When asked about the biggest lesson she’s learned while working at Pepper’s, Marie shared that “communication is really important.” Strong communication means fewer follow-ups, fewer misunderstandings, and greater confidence that things are under control. That means peace of mind for Marie’s clients, and better priority management for Marie herself.

For anyone interested in becoming a personal assistant, she offers this advice, “Being detail-oriented and going above and beyond for your client is how you make yourself indispensable.” We couldn’t agree more. Exceptional personal assistants like Marie are always thinking one step ahead.

Outside of her role at Pepper’s, Marie enjoys reading, knitting, and baking. She jokes, “I’m basically a grandma.” She mostly reads in French, but plans to read The Handmaid’s Tale in English next.

The Pepper’s Difference, by Design

While Marie’s natural strengths play a big role in her success, they’re also supported and enhanced by Pepper’s training and Proven Process.

We’re strategic about whom we bring onto our team and even more intentional about the training they receive. All of our personal assistants undergo thorough background checks and extensive training before joining as a client’s personal assistant. We prioritize reliability and trustworthiness to ensure peace of mind from the beginning.

Each personal assistant is hand-picked and guided by our core values so you can trust that your home life is in good hands.

Of course, we can’t overstate how people like Marie make this possible. Our personal assistants truly just get it. But they’re also supported by our experienced management team, helpful peers, and clear processes that allow them to focus on delivering high-quality support.

This structure allows personal assistants like Marie to step confidently into client households, knowing they have the tools and backing to handle whatever the day brings.

If you’re ready to experience this kind of thoughtful, tailored support for yourself, we’d love to help. Reach out today to discover what it feels like to have the right support.

Meet Our Employee of the Quarter, Bella Talakua

by Jash | Oct 29, 2025 | News

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
— Helen Keller

Keller’s quote isn’t just something we believe in at Pepper’s, it’s something we live by. Our personal assistants are the heartbeat of everything we do. Every home we support and every client we serve is made possible by teamwork, trust, and genuine care.

That’s why recognizing our staff’s hard work is such a priority for us. We take every opportunity to celebrate the people who make our business possible. The people who show up every day with kindness and professionalism, who turn our clients’ chaos to calm and are committed to lifting others up.

So, today, we’re especially proud to shine a light on one of our incredible personal assistants, Bella Talakua.

Meet Our Employee of the Quarter, Bella

Bella has been part of the Pepper’s family for about ten months and currently serves as a part-time personal assistant substitute, stepping in to support multiple client homes whenever she’s needed. The role requires flexibility, intuition, and a deep understanding of how to seamlessly integrate into different households, something that Bella handles with ease.

What truly sets her apart, though, is her energy. Bella brings warmth, positivity, and a sense of calm to every space she enters. Whether she’s working with a client or supporting other personal assistants, she has a remarkable way of making people feel connected and cared for, which is no small feat in our remote team environment.

She embodies the “One for all, and all for Pepper’s” spirit that shows through everything she does. She’s the teammate who lifts others up, the personal assistant who tailors her approach to each client’s unique needs, and the colleague who makes Pepper’s a little brighter every day.

Behind the Scenes in Bella’s Own Words

Every great client experience starts with a personal assistant who makes it all happen. Bella’s story gives a beautiful glimpse into what that really looks like.

She was introduced to Pepper’s through a current employee who spoke highly of our work environment and encouraged Bella to apply. After doing some research, she decided that Pepper’s Personal Assistants would be her next home.

As a substitute personal assistant, Bella’s days involve stepping in for other personal assistants across different homes while bringing the same consistency and care wherever she goes.

When asked about what her routine typically looks like, she explained: “I usually tidy, organize, do laundry, work with vendors, handle house and property management, cook, prep snacks, grocery shop, and take care of pets.” It’s no doubt a long list but for Bella it’s all a part of making someone’s day just a little easier.

When asked what her secret was for managing everything, she credited her “Type A” tendencies. “I always thought being Type A could be annoying to people around me,” she laughed, “but at Pepper’s, that drive and attention to detail is exactly what they look for!” All the quirks like hyper-organization, a passion for the specifics, and proactive planning have now become her superpowers

One of the things that surprised Bella most about Pepper’s is the level of support she’s felt from leadership. “It’s hard to find a company that truly cares about you, but Pepper’s is always rooting for your success.” That sense of belonging has made it easier for her to show up each time knowing that there is a support system always ready to help.

When it comes to her clients, Bella has learned that every household is its own world. She notes that each client is different and what they want from their personal assistant differs too. “I’ve learned how to navigate new households quickly.”

That tailored approach not only allows her to meet clients where they are but has also led her to connect on a deeper level with some clients. One of her favorite memories included a quiet afternoon spent sitting on the dining room floor with a client and their dog, sipping tea and chatting.

Who Is Bella Beyond Work?

When Bella isn’t bringing order and calm to her clients’ homes, you’ll likely find her outdoors, hiking, fishing, snowboarding, or paddle boarding with her husband. She’s also a proud pet parent to five fur babies.

Her love for adventure balances perfectly with her love for comfort, especially if it involves good coffee and a great meal. “As a coffee enthusiast with a sweet tooth, I love exploring new cafes and believe the best vacations are built around eating at new places.” She also delights in reading and enjoys world-building fantasy novels. Fourth Wing is next up in her reading queue.

Even in her downtime, Bella finds joy in simple routines like cleaning and organizing her space, which she especially likes to do while she’s listening to music.

Building a Culture That Celebrates People

In many ways, Bella represents the best of Pepper’s: people who love what they do, support one another, and find purpose in helping others thrive. Her dedication and positivity lift everyone around her and that ripple effect is exactly what fuels Pepper’s continued growth and success.

At Pepper’s, we know that great service doesn’t happen by accident but is the result of a strong, supportive culture built on appreciation, communication, and care. From day one, our mission has been simple: to make life easier for our clients. We do that by empowering the incredible people who serve them.

Celebrating our personal assistants through initiatives like Employee of the Quarter is just one of the ways we keep the spirit of encouragement going. Because we recognize that acknowledging good work ensures our team always knows how valued they are. And when you know your work matters, you bring your best self to every client interaction.

It also reflects our “One for all, and all for Pepper’s” philosophy—the belief that when one person succeeds, we all do. Our aim is for each recognition to strengthen our culture of mutual respect and teamwork, and remind us that excellence isn’t achieved alone, but built together.

And while our team continues to grow, our promise remains the same: to create an environment where every personal assistant feels seen, celebrated, and set up for success because when they thrive, our clients do too. That support goes beyond just words. We back our people with benefits like paid time off (both sick and vacation), health coverage, and a 401(k) plan, ensuring they’re cared for both inside and outside of work.

If you’re ready to see this dynamic in action, reach out to us today. We’ll match you with a dedicated personal assistant who brings the same care, energy, and excellence that make Pepper’s a truly special place to call on for home support.

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