Maid
My maid seems to be not very smart. She is absent-minded and always forget our instructions. However, she seems to be hard-working and keeps the flat clean. She is no good in cooking, as she was not responsible for cooking in her previous role in Singapore. I shall give her a few more chances before I seriously think about getting a new one, as I need a maid that won't forget what we've told her and I need somebody who will not forget feeding the baby, what the baby is allergic to, etc. This is a pre-requisite for a domestic helper, is it not?
posted by Andy at 12/06/2006 10:49:00 PM
4 Comments:
That's why you've done great in getting one well before Mrs Andy is due.
Now that the due date is about 1 month away, there're a few things you could consider.
1. Given an ultimatum, list out all your expectations ON PAPER, make her comply (a signed copy will be handy later when you need proof of incompetence). Let her know that you will deduct a point or so when she doesn't meet any of your expectations, and 3 scores will show her the door.
The ugly truth about this is most maids, wherever they're from, are on serious debts - they need to be in your house for at least 6 months to pay up, meaning the first half year is basically working for nothing from their perspective. Your agent would probably persuade you into NOT changing another one no matter what you say. By the time you have tolerated for 6 months, you might not want to go through the troubles of adapting to a new one.
2. Knowing the ugly truth, you can actually ask the maid how much she owes people. This shows your compassionate image and that you care and usually, if the maid thinks with her brain, she's going to appreciate it. Let her know that you understand her debtful situation and do not want to cause any financial trouble for her family but she needs to work for that. (I just hope her English is good enough to understand this!)
3. Get a local post-natal 陪月 as a standby. If she sees competition around, she'll work up. If you do this, don't mention of another person coming in and surprise her. Usually this would freak her up as she sees there are other options you can use.
BUT, if you are going to rely almost solely on her when your wife returns to work (she works, right?), then confrontation may not be the best way. My mom's advice, your baby doesn't speak and when you're not around you wouldn't know what's going on and that's kind of scarry. If this is the case, be the nicest to her. Buy her things when she does something well (I usually give phone cards that I get for free from my telecom suppliers!).
One more point, make sure she understands that you prefer her asking questions when there's ANYTHING that she doesn't understand. They usually don't ask anything at all.
I guess I must have employed some over 10 local and foreign domestic helpers (yea, my husband and I have also been married for more than 9 years... ;P). I fuss a lot when people who work for me don't remember / understand what I say: none of them could finish their contracts. (Bitchy employer here...or is that just bad luck?)
Hope you get along with your maid!! It's so frustrating when they don't fit in.
Thank you sooooooooooo much for your advice, Aulina. I guess it takes some courage to change a maid, because you never know what the next one is going to be like.
wow aulina u r so nice to write this long... and i am so "8" to read it all! :)
andy: hope your maid will improve in every way.
andy, my pleasure! It's always great to know that someone will be paying tax in 20 odd years for my retired life.. heh heh..
mad dog, you should see us c9s chatting about our maids in the office, that is quite a sight!
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