peapot:

If we write in, will MOM really \"ban\" these maids or just humour us by being just a data collector?

jtoh:

I see. Thanks. I wonder if a maid can be banned for suspected extra-curricular activities of the Geylang kind.

kiasubox:

1amber:

It reads as \"did\"...neither an abbreviation nor acronym but an emphasis.

eh, my original post was \"if the maid is not behaving....\" but LKVM commented 'if the maid don't perform......\" so probably she / he can reply you

omgmum:

Happy Chappy, I'm happy for you that you managed to find a good maid after one attempt. I just wish I'm as fortunate.


I went to more than 10 agencies, took down notes, went through scores of biodata and interviewed about 5 maids, not as many as you. Basically, I've done what you've suggested: drawn up a least of requirements, asked the type of questions you've asked, have a schedule, list of expectations etc. I actually did months of research before I started on my maid hunt.

But I realised that maids know the answers that are expected of them, and they will probably say yes to your requirements because they want to come out to work. Not all are as lucky as you. My friends with problematic maids have all done their due homework in interviewing etc, and their maids knew of their requirements before working for them. The only people I know of with good maids are strangely enough, those who have never interviewed their maids! One is quite easy going, and the other puts the meow in nigao. Of course, my examples are purely anecdotal and cannot be considered as facts, but it does set one thinking, no?

And I would love to know which agency you went to, cos the agencies I went to got very irritated with me when I asked them, and the maids too many questions. Some were kind enough to tell me which maids to avoid cos they know I've got a toddler at home, but most just couldn't be bothered.

kiasubox:

jtoh:

I thought the MOM stand is they'll only ban if the maid was prosecuted for theft or some other crime?

Not too sure, that's wat I heard from friend (her maid brought bangladesh home when she's not around and she wrote in to MOM) and from forum.

When i wrote in to MOM, it replied taken for administrative record, and if the maid is already hired by new employer, they'll inform the employer and let the employer to decide whether to continue employing the maid.

jtoh:

I thought the MOM stand is they'll only ban if the maid was prosecuted for theft or some other crime?

kiasubox:

Rivevae:

Agree....that's why I never get too sentimental about what to do with the maid - send back or transfer - other than just return to the agent and let them handle at their discretion. Just so you know, any maids you deem \"unfit\" / \"lousy\" and choose to send back at your own expense will be \"recycled\" somewhere, here in SG or other parts of the world. I have hired a very very lazy maid and returned to agent after she's with us for 1 month. Guess what - my relative's maid bumped onto her just recently and she told her she's now with her 5th employer, all within a span of 1 year!!!!

If your maid was sent back agency due to unsatisfactory work, you can actually write to MOM to inform them, they'll then inform the new employer see if the employer want to keep them or send them home. MOM can also ban the maid from working in SG again.

1amber:

It reads as \"did\"...neither an abbreviation nor acronym but an emphasis.

1amber:

in this case maid DID perform what! :rotflmao: sorry :offtopic: very sian today. :please:

kiasubox:

LKVM:

I was surprised cause you said if maid dont perform can report to MOM... stealing is different and in that case if you police report they will surely kena.

Ya, for my case is straight forward la, eh let me think..... oh ya my friend's maid bring bangladesh home when no one at home in the day time. The maid broke off with the bf then the bf angry and called my friend, he told my friend he been to my friend house many times and made love there. My friend was angry and sent the maid home the next day. Afterwards she write to MOM to ban the maid from working in SG again. I think many other case can also report MOM, I've seen on other forum before but now i can't think of wat senario la.

LKVM:

I was surprised cause you said if maid dont perform can report to MOM... stealing is different and in that case if you police report they will surely kena.

LKVM:

I have never heard of this thing before? I ever wrote to MOM since my maid lied to me and ran away home they just said since its nothing to do with stealing etc hence cannot do anything.

Rivevae:

Agree....that's why I never get too sentimental about what to do with the maid - send back or transfer - other than just return to the agent and let them handle at their discretion. Just so you know, any maids you deem \"unfit\" / \"lousy\" and choose to send back at your own expense will be \"recycled\" somewhere, here in SG or other parts of the world. I have hired a very very lazy maid and returned to agent after she's with us for 1 month. Guess what - my relative's maid bumped onto her just recently and she told her she's now with her 5th employer, all within a span of 1 year!!!!

1amber:

peapot:

I feel that sometimes maid choose to act \"crazy\" so that the employer will transfer them out or sent them home. Such acting allows the maid to go off without any need for them to pay and they can still achieve their objective.

My previous maid told me she was 'taught' this tactic by experienced maids...

Happy Chappy:

I don't think getting a good maid is just luck.


This person will be in your house - living with your family. You must take responsibility to ensure they are right for you.

Take the time to decide your priorities ( cleaning, childcare, cooking ). Do up a daily chores list and decide for yourself if it is reasonable.( Could you complete all the tasks if you were to do it yourself ? ) We would all love EVERYTHING to be perfect in our life but this is a dream - not reality and FDW's are only human. Make sure you take this list to the interview to show the prospective maid - do THEY think this is achievable ?

Create a list of questions to ask in the interview and take them with you when you interview to write down the answers given - so later you can compare. Think well about it - if you don't want a smoker remember to ask if they smoke. Ask them to read a page from a recipe book if your priority is a good cook ( or someone who can cook from a recipe ). Ask them when they last went home ? Is there a chance they may get homesick if they have not been home for a longtime - would you be prepared to allow phonecalls to their home. ( how many ? - let them now your answer ).

How many days are you prepared to give them off per month ? No one can work 24hrs a day or be happy with being 'imprisoned'. The fairer and more honest an employer you are should lead to a happier, healthier ( mentally and physically) FDW you will have. Think about if your employer changed the rules of your employment without your permission - how would you feel - what would this do to your employee/employer relationship ? If you are concerned about days off - set a time out and in and ensure that the FDW is aware that if this is not adhered to it is grounds for immediate dismissal.

The more effort you put in to choosing a helper will improve your chances of hiring a good one. If you decide on price alone - you are heading for trouble.

Remember FDW's are human beings not a commodity. Respect given is Respect returned. Ensure your directions are clear before you start and you are on the right track..

Good Luck and may you all find a FDW as good as mine. :rahrah:

peapot:

I feel that sometimes maid choose to act \"crazy\" so that the employer will transfer them out or sent them home. Such acting allows the maid to go off without any need for them to pay and they can still achieve their objective.