1 Phil.

2 $500
3 Four ( sundays ) + PH
4. 8yrs
5. 1 yr
6. We cover internet, mrt/bus travel, tv in own room.
7. General care of our house and 3 children - babysitting duties once per week.

Hi,


Sorry for the late reply. I have only employed one maid ( 12 mths ago ). I interviewed 10 at the agency / chose 3 for 2nd interviews at my home ( and met my children , who also got a vote on who they wanted). I used to be a manager in my ‘old’ life and employing people was part of my job. I used some of the same tactics for employing my maid. My maid has every Sunday off but sometimes chooses to do work in the morning - she has been told many times that we do not expect this of her but she just says she is happy to do it - keeps the house organised…lol.

The feedback I got from the agency was very positive. Happy to see someone serious about getting the ‘right’ person for them, also could provide good feedback for the one’s I rejected.

Although at the time I gave up 1/2 one Sunday and a couple of hours one night sorting out my questions, this was well worth the fact we have found someone who really fits our family. I didn’t want to spend time having to go back and change maids because I had not put any effort into getting the right person in the first place.

My maid also said she chose me because I knew what I wanted and involved her more in an interview than any one else she has worked for. Nice to be asked about herself and what she was hoping for from a job.

I was thinking about putting up my interview questions to help others and after reading so many stories about people with bad maids - maybe I should.

Good luck to everyone choosing a maid

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: