All About Full-Time Maids

[kiasimom]

titank:

Hi All,


If the current maid had finish the maid loan I can just striaght away cancel her WP & get her an air ticket back to a home country or should I send her back to the agent?

Current maid had been working almost 7 months. still very blur like sotong. Where the sky is dark dark suppose to keep the clothes. In the end wait until it rain then she go & keep while in the midst of cooking.

I find that the quality of maid now is getting back to worst. My maid agency is Z.zzz type, ask for replacement bio-data like bochap bochap type.

Agree that once change a maid have to start with new maid loan, insurance, safety course which easily add up to $3,000! :!:

Hi titank,

Usually if the maid has no more outstanding loan, you can cancel her work permit and buy her an airticket home.
Still, I will advise you to check your employment agreement with the agency.
I believe as long as your maid doesn't owe them any more money, they should have no objections of you sending her back

[kiasimom]

titank:

Now must try tahan the maid,if change then must pay extra $$. This maid always bath take very long like 30 minutes, guess must be going to apply some cream on her face. I can see her face is getting bad to worst.


She got one time said like to try \"New York Skin Solutions\" for those trial.Ha.ha told her her entire pay also not enough to cover this facial treatment.

I used to have a maid who baths for as long as 1 hour :!:
I told her that she is hogging the toilet and should be considerate.

Current maid alos try to test water.
When she first came, very fast and efficient, then try to cut corners.
Spent 30 minutes eating and 30 minutes bathing. I observed her for a few days and approcahed her. i asked her why is there such a differnce in time taken in eating and bathing? She kept quiet and I told her I have observed her for some time.
I reminded her that whatever she does, she is being monitored by me and that if she is really interested in her job, don't try to take chance thinking that I don't know.
Since then, she has reverted to her normal time.

My advice: Tell the maid directly if you are not satisfied with her performance. Don't bottle it and hope that she will realise it herself.

[mummy of 2]

Yes, I agree that it’s better to tell the maid directly rather than hope she can guess what you want. Communication is very important. Having said that, my MIL is the one who communicates most with the maid. Housework is under her purview. I don’t interfere. I only instruct the maid when it concerns my kids.


I only come in to tell the maid off for major issues. That’s why my previous maid was more scared of me than MIL.

[vividlaurel]

Hi Autumnbronze,


Yes, her sis is also a helper here. Thanks for the tip, I didn't think of it in those terms at all. I'll make a note of it and will put down my expectations right at the begining.

autumnbronze:

Hi vividlaurel,

Just my 2 cents worth,

You mentioned that she's goa a sis and brother working here. Is the sis a helper too?

That might be a little 'tricky' cuz your helper might want to communicate with them all the time and then later on there might be basis for comparison in terms of salaries, benefits etc...

Perhaps you might want to set out your expectations with regards to this issue to her when she comes in .... :?

Again, just my 2 cents worth

[titank]

Ya having a maid really a lot of expenses. Salary + Levy + Miscellaneous = $700++.

[kiasimom]

I won’t want a maid who has relatives and friends here.

The networking can be really scary :!:

Yes, it is really not cheap to have a maid here in SG.

[mummy of 2]

Yes, and there can be unexpected expenses, like medical. Why is it that people only sympathise with maids, and make it sound as though all employers are out to abuse/exploit their helpers?

[KopiYing]

I agree with kiasimom abt telling maid directly. However when I tell my maid certain things, she didnt look at me, as in no eye contact, no ‘yes mom’ and the face no smile. Wabiang!

[autumnbronze]

kiasimom:

I won't want a maid who has relatives and friends here.

The networking can be really scary :!:

Yes, it is really not cheap to have a maid here in SG.

Actually I agree with you kiasimom, given the choice.

My helper doesn't not have any relatives here. But recently, she got a call from a relative who has arrived here to work. On that day, she spoke for a v v long time. Then she informed me that she told her relative to call her aft 10pm on fridays if she needs to talk :!: , is that ok -she asked me. I said well, I have to speak to Sir abt it, but I suppose if its urgent, it shd be ok. She didn't look too happy but since then, she's had no calls. I suspect the calls will come in aft the relative finishes paying off her loan. We'll deal with it when we cross the bridge. Also, her contract is ending in Mar nxt yr, so if she wishes to renew, we will have to start on a new footing.

Sometimes, its hard to expect/anticipate evrything. I suppose as for evrything, moderation is the key and as mummy of 2 said - communication too.... of our expectations.

[mummy of 2]

KopiYing:

I agree with kiasimom abt telling maid directly. However when I tell my maid certain things, she didnt look at me, as in no eye contact, no 'yes mom' and the face no smile. Wabiang!

If it were me, I would tell her pls look at me when I'm talking to you, otherwise I won't know if you heard me. And I do not like to repeat.

Sometimes we have to be firm, and let the maid know we do not have to suffer their attitude. If you are nice, i can be nice to you too. If you are not, I will just treat you the same. Of cos, not to say ill-treat them lar, but can take away some \"perks\".