Handling domestic workers is the most challenging task many homeowners face—the lack of proper management of the maid results in having to change them several times annually. Changing maids often is tedious because you have to go through the entire agonizing process of facilitating and inculcating them into the home system. The acquisition of a maid in Singapore is difficult since the government only allows Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) from a few countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines. Acquiring a maid in Singapore is long and can take up to four weeks for a maid to be posted to your house. So how exactly can you maintain your maid for a longer time? The first step in maintaining a maid for long is identifying what is making them go away in the first place.
Reasons Why Maids Leave
1. You do not follow the government directive for days on leave. In Singapore it is a requirement for a maid to be given a day off weekly. Failure to provide them with a day off results in bad blood and they opt to leave.
2. Failure to compensate for the rest days you have requested the maid to work.
3. Overworking them
4. Underpaying them goes against the Ministry of Manpower.
How to Effectively Handle Maids
• Inform them of what you expect to be done
Domestic maids in Singapore are from foreign countries where handling of things is different. The maids have also worked in other homes which have their own set of rules and schedule. It is therefore necessary to facilitate a new maid and give them directions. Giving proper training to a new maid will prevent problems in the future. As an employer you will not be disappointed since the maid is aware that specific standards have to be maintained. Also it would be best if you were consistent. Do not keep changing how you want things to be done. It confuses them. Let them perform their duties from a single handbook.
• Day off
Every FDW in Singapore is entitled to a day off every week. As an employer you need to keep your end of the bargain and give them their day off. Do not be rigid; allow them to select the day they prefer to be their day off. At times things may turn up on their off day forcing your maid to work. Reason out with them and ensure that they are comfortable. However one needs to offer compensation for working on their rest day.
• Be patient
The maids are foreigners. They therefore are not native English speakers. Consequently you will need to exercise patience while talking to them. Do not be frustrated by their inability to express themselves in English. Come up with a system where you can both understand each other.
• Trust your maid
Many employers do not trust their maids. They continuously live in fear and suspicion that the maid will rob them. You however need to show her that you trust her. Provide the maid with access to the house to gain her trust. Give the maid her own set of keys, provide her with a phone and give her airtime. Trust is cultivated by being kind to her.
• Be humane
Many individuals who get maids think that they are enslaved to them, and therefore they need to be treated as a slave which is the main reason why many households lose their maids because the conditions are not conducive for them to thrive. According to the Ministry of Manpower FWDs should be housed by the employer. You should therefore offer them good food and a clean place to sleep. Many however are carefree and do not care about where they are sleeping. Others on the other hand do not let the maids get ample sleep. It would help if you allowed your maid to get seven to eight hours of sleep. Lack of necessities, such as food and sleep causes under performance.
• Offer incentives
Human nature dictates that being rewarded for well-done work creates motivation and zeal to work even harder. Give your maid an incentive. Reward them for a job well done. Rewards do not have to be in monetary form. A simple thank you or positive remark will uplift their spirits. Criticizing everything they do is terrible since the maid will create an attitude towards you. They will carry out their duties aimlessly for the sake of it because they lack commitment.
• Lend a helping hand
The duties of a domestic worker are entitled to perform house chores such as cleaning, ironing, running errands like shopping, and taking care of children and the elderly in the family. The duties can however be overwhelming especially in a large household and with infants. The tasks become too much for the maid to perform alone. It would be best if you offered assistance when necessary or opt for an elderly care Singapore service when it applies. Do not leave all the tasks for them to accomplish since they become overworked and end up terminating the job contract.
• Avoid torturing them
Torture mainly manifests itself in the physical and emotional form. Physical torturing is causing bodily harm to your maid. Do not lay a finger on them. No matter how big the mistake they have done. It is against human rights. Emotional torture is experienced through name-calling and insulting the intelligence of the maid. They are not stupid since their eligibility to become a domestic maid is a minimum of eight years of formal education. Avoid distressing your maid and no issues will be experienced. Because if the maid is subjected to physical or emotional torture, she may consider getting a protective order to safeguard her rights.
• Provide maid insurance coverage to safeguard you and your domestic worker
There is no limitation on the number of years you can spend with a maid working in your household. Such long term relationships can only be achieved by creating a rapport between you and the maid. A cordial relationship can be achieved by providing suitable working conditions and effectively managing your maid. Providing insurance is one of the requirements from MOM when hiring a maid. Having one will help you and your maid in some circumstances such as hospital expenses. Click here to find out more about maid insurance.
