Is it permissible for the wife to bring a housemaid to help her care for her children, and what are the legitimate controls that must be followed to protect the husband from looking at her? What is the legitimate dress code for the husband at home in front of the maid? And is it permissible for her to sit with the family during evening gatherings or meals?

The maid is a stranger (non-mahram) to the husband and other men in the house. It is not permissible to look at her, touch her, or shake hands with her, just as a man is not allowed to be in seclusion with her. It is not permissible for the husband to appear in the aforementioned clothing in front of the maid. Nor is it permissible for her to participate in their evening gatherings or meals if that would result in her seeing what is impermissible for her to see, or some family members seeing what is impermissible to see from her. If this cannot be avoided, the solution is to refrain from employing her.