Getting domestic helper for first time. Pls advise.

[wakkofc]

Hi all,

I will be giving birth in about 8 weeks time and my domestic helper from Philippines will be coming in this week. I would like to seek help from those who have helpers as I need your advise on what ground rules should i set for them and what kind of schedule?
What are some things I need to tell them or ask them?

The other thing is, during their break in the day, what do you ask them to do? Can they watch TV or what?

Totally clueless..

pls help and advise! Thanks!!

[pinkcoral]

My mum used to be an agent for domestic helpers.  She told me that lots of employers start off by giving their new maid little work and adding on more once she could handle it. 

When I got my first maid, she adviced that the contrary should be done - for me to allocate everything that is to be done right from the beginning.  After that, when we feel that she is handling her work okay, we could help her to alleviate the load by doing some of the work ourselves. 

This method worked well for me with all my helpers. 

It's up to you to lay the rules in your home, which will also be her home for as long as she's working with you.

If the emphasis of her work is on your baby, do let her know that.  Tell her that the priority will be on the baby when the time comes.  And that housework will come after the interests of the baby are catered to. 

[H2OSeekers]

Hope this helps A check list for them to follow

Family Member:
- Sir XXXX (Employer)
- Mdm XXXX (Wife)
- XXXX (Our Son)
- XXXX (Our Son)

Rules to follow:
1) Up to you to decide

Working Hours:
Wake up: 6.30 am
Rest: Anytime when there is no other work
Sleep: 10 pm or earlier if there is no other work

Off Days:
One Sunday in a month. And more subjected to performance and trust issue after XX months. With no more than XX days off per month.

Performance/Trust Based Bonus:
This amount is subjected to performance and trust. The additional amount will be given to you after 2 years.

Items covered by Employer:
Initial Items
- Sofa Bed with pillow, pillow cases and comforter
- 2 x toothbrushes
- 2 x bath towels
- Toiletries container, shampoo, soap and powder
- Sanitary pads
- Reading lamp
- Table-top fan
- Clothes Plastic Drawers
Basic toiletries items will be covered by employer monthly

Expenses covered by Employer:
- 3 x meals a day
- Doctor's fee
- Basic Medicines

Your jobscope:
- Laundry
- Ironing and folding clothes
- Wash dishes
- Mop and sweep floor
- Cleaning and dusting house/toilet/kitchen
- Tidy Bed
- Wash and sterilise baby bottles
- Bath and feed children when necessary
- Help look after baby and toddler
- Empty trash
- Pick up toys and items
- Help with marketing
- More to be added at a later date

Special Instructions
Milk for XXX (Only when needed):
1) Morning milk in cup: X scopes and XXXml hot water, XXXml water (When awake)
2) Afternoon milk in bottle: X scopes and XXXml hot water, XXXml water (2pm)
3) Evening milk in bottle: X scopes and XXXml hot water and XXXml water (8.30pm)

Sign/Date:


________________________

[PowerPuffGirl]

"Sanitary pads"
I dun provide tat. They shd buy themselves. Use their money to buy for them.

"One Sunday in a month. And more subjected to performance and trust issue after XX months. With no more than XX days off per month."

Hope u got one with no Off day. I dun like the idea of the maid meeting up with "friends". But tis is individual.