Suspect my maid has PT job on Sundays

[Harlequin]

Lucianna:

Yes u're liable even thou u're not aware her moonlighting.

If she hurt herself on her p/time job u're liable.

Remember this... anything will to happen to her... u're still responsible coz she is under ur employment.

I wanted to employ a maid but bcoz of these... I'm still considering... Government did not protect us... what's the purposes of spending our hard earn money and inviting troubles?

That's very true! (the part highlighted in red)

In fact, I think all maid employers should be assessed by MOM, not everybody is suitable to be a boss.... especially being a boss of someone whom lives with you.

Those that aren't suitable to be a boss can be ensured that no manpower wastage and no money mis-spent.

[Lucianna]

Our government is really contradicting. They knew maids will try to do part time during their off days but they simply ignored. Maybe they are controlling people employing maids, bcoz they can’t earn much from there; especially those who can get special rate on their levy but pushing couples to boast the birth rate. They should do a survey before implementing the off days.


Year 2000, my 1st maid’s salary was S$210.00 to S$220.00 upfront S$1.7k and now 2013 is S$460.00 to S$500.00 upfront easily 3 to 4k, some even want almost up to 5k (which include their loans, insurance, bond, exam fees, course fees and agency fees). Look at our salary… with the same company u working now… does yours up so much?

[beebeemum]

That's really sucks! My previous Filipino maid who just went back did moonlight which I only found out nearing the end of her contract. She was with me for 4 years and she was an experienced maid with 6 years Singapore exp and 2 years Hong Kong exp prior to joining my household.

I was told that she moonlighted as maids recruiter to local agencies but not too sure whether that was the only works that she did or there were more! :scared: :scared:

So now we are to give weekly off days and supposed to watch over what they did during their off days. And if we controlled them, then we are denying them their human rights :roll:

[nms1]

I have to disagree with the \"haircut method\" as I think it is addressing a very personal issue. Would you be prepared to cut off your hair for an employer?


I prefer to use situational questions - what would you do if......... Some of them do give stock answers if you make your questions too easy but it does make them think on their feet. It does, however, require a decent level of English!

Harlequin:

POA Teacher:

Why look at their feet and toes? :?

If they can't keep the basic cleanliness of their feet, overgrown toe nails, dirt under nails etc, they are likely the type that only keep cleanliness (employer's household) of places where can be seen.

I will also ask a blunt question:- if I ask you to cut off your long hair, ok for you?

I will take note of her instantaneous response and body language, in most cases, they will ask \"when?\", \"how short?\", or hesitate and turn to look at the agent staff for a right answer..... I will take the one that say \"yes\" without any hesitation... my current maid did not even blinked when asked...

But, of course I did not really ask her to cut off her long hair la... Its only to test how much she wanted the job. Lol.

I have friends go to the extent of reading their shortlisted maids' horoscope... to see if can get along


Just to add---

About the hair cut...

Those that answer: \"how short?\" Is the one I would not consider at all, they are the type that like to negotiate, they will obey only if their conditions are met, they are the type that will be nice to you if you are nice to them.
(Eg, I don't mind to cut my hair, provided it's not too short, or not the hairstyle that doesn't suit me etc...)
It's something personal to her - surely she would have right to ask how short? They are not slaves so I believe they do have the right to ask or to negotiate
The one that don't know what to answer but turn to agent for help to answer, I may consider, reason being they are at least ready to take instructions, if agent/employer insist she has to cut, she will... she'll make compromises in her works and will try to meet your expectation.

The one that answer \"when\"... is as good as saying ok I will cut, but she needs to be ready, and be informed.... This is the smartest of all, if you need a smart maid then she is your choice, but be prepare to accept her independent working attitude.

The ones that draw a long pause, and look down or look away... She doesn't want to work for you.

The ones that draw a long pause before turning to look at her agent... she wants to work for you, but she wants to keep her long hair, and she doesn't know how to tell you that. (Likely to be a less vocal person, not blindly obedient but can be open to criticism.)

The one that draw a pause and look straight at you (in your eyes).... you wouldn't want her to work for you She is thinking you are being unreasonable, and she wants you to know that you are unreasonable... She is likely to stand up for the slightest \"unfairness\" she feels, not the type that can take up the domestic helper's job.It is an unreasonable question so I think she is right to react in that way.

[Harlequin]

nms1:

I have to disagree with the \"haircut method\" as I think it is addressing a very personal issue. Would you be prepared to cut off your hair for an employer?


I prefer to use situational questions - what would you do if......... Some of them do give stock answers if you make your questions too easy but it does make them think on their feet. It does, however, require a decent level of English!

First, it's not a hair cut method, I don't cut maid's hair and will not bother what hair style she choses to keep.

The question is asked to see the deeper side of her psychology, if you asked only standard questions of her family/work (experience) you would get the standard, pre-rehearsed answers. Everyone can work, the difference is how willing.

So many situational questions were asked before, and all the appropriate answers are already in the files of the agents and maids are made to memorize them to give you the answers you want. All employers ask situational questions, in fact some are overly fixated, asking so into details...relax, ask them something not what they have learnt, but what they are!

Think out of the box, ask them something borderline to an employer's right, but nothing illegal, she can agree with it, she can choose not to agree since it's within her right. I have given elaboration on how I note their instantaneous reaction/response to sum up her personality, there is no right or wrong, it's only suitability I was looking... Am I imposing? I don't think so, I prefer to have someone that has the right mentality/attitude that proven by my small IQ/EQ/body language test.... rather than having maid management issues after she starts working in my house hold. It's unfortunate to see a employer/maid mis-matched, won't you agree?

In another word, I want to get to know them, not just simply taking notes of what they can do for me.


PS. About me cutting my hair for a job, no one has yet to have the chance to ask me for that.

Thanks for chipping in, you have a good day. :celebrate: