Domestic service is a major employer of people in Great Nortend. 28 per cent of all girls enter into domestic service, followed by 10 per cent into commercial service (e.g. secretarial, clerical, sales). A defining quality for families of middle class status is keeping at at least one maid. A defining feature of the gentry is keeping at least one male servant. It is considered unbecoming and even uncharitable for persons of means not to employ sufficient staff as are needed.
Service is considered a respectable occupation, and provides both stable employment as well as usually room and board. Indoor servants may be junior (page, scullery maid, kitchen maid, footmen, chamber maid) or senior (butler, steward, housekeeper, cook, lady's maid, valet). Senior female indoor servants and male servants may marry but housemaids must usually leave service upon marriage. Married servants usually live with their husband or wife, either in the house if both are servants or if the servant is a senior male servant, or in a separate flat or cottage close by.
Working class households also often employ servants. Charwomen, laundrywomen and “women from the village” commonly are employed on an ad hoc basis and are paid hourly unlike maids who live in. Outdoor servants are generally male and include land agents, chauffeurs, coachmen, gardeners and grooms.
