Employers always cite integrity as their Number 1 criterion when hiring a maid. They have little tolerance for dishonesty. Extreme acts of dishonesty such as stealing get the maid fired almost immediately and a police report may be made. Some employers are more tolerant and maids are let off with a warning, with dire consequences […]

Do you face problems with maids? No need to fret. Here are 10 common maid problems and how to mitigate them.   1) Lack of trust: Maids may be accused of stealing or damaging property, which can lead to a lack of trust between the employer and the maid. To mitigate this, it is important to

If you are having difficulty with your maid, it is important to communicate with her and try to understand the root of the problem. Some possible steps to take include: Set clear expectations: Clearly communicate your expectations for the work that needs to be done and how you would like it done. Give feedback: If

Many employers fail to understand the cultural differences of Myanmar maids to their detriment. At the risk of generalization, Myanmar maids have some cultural differences we should be aware of. Of course, there are exceptions depending on the character, personality and background of each Myanmar maid.    Language Language is a common problem for new

Here are 8 tips that first-time maid employers can easily use to make sure that you succeed in getting the best out of your maid. Like any relationship, building the trust and capacity of your new maid takes time and lots of effort both on her part and yours.  But once the relationship succeeds, you

The interview is the most important process in hiring a good maid. Through the interview, you will be able to tell whether there is a right fit between your requirements and her abilities. You will also be able to find out if she can really communicate with you using English and whether she is motivated

You may have heard horror stories of maids running away. Most of them are true. Some are not, thankfully. So it is time to peel away facts from fiction.  Maids run away for various reasons – some are valid, others are plain frivolous. Nevertheless, when it happens it creates a lot of inconvenience for everybody. Here we

Most maids have come from a rural background. Perhaps your maid is no different. So the adjustment to a modern city like Singapore is a major challenge. You can expect your maid to experience mental bewilderment, psychological stress and emotional distress in the first 3- 6 months. During this vulnerable period, she will be homesick,

Once the maid is deployed to you, she becomes your full responsibility under MOM rules and regulations. That is an onerous responsibility. But do not worry. The rules and regulations are fair and reasonable. They simply spell out how we should treat our fellow human beings, such as giving the maid adequate rest, sufficient space

There are times when you need to release the maid back to the Agency.  There are usually two main reasons: a) Poor Aptitudeb) Poor Attitude Poor Aptitude of the maid Employers have certain expectations of their maids. Maids may not always be able to meet these expectations due to their lack of training, education or

In any relationship, there are the inevitable rough edges that need to be ironed out regularly.  If not handled well, they can balloon into unnecessary problems and disruption to your family life. These are extreme cases but nevertheless it is good to know what to do if they ever happened to you. 1) What happens when

When buying insurance for a maid, there is a supplementary feature called the Waiver of Counter Indemnity bond that can be added for an additional cost. This feature reduces the employer’s liability for a $5,000 bond to a specified amount, as long as the breach is not the employer’s fault. The Singaporean government requires employers

The Security Bond is a binding pledge to pay the Singapore government (up to $5,000) if you break the law or the conditions governing the employment of a maid. The Security Bond is usually bundled with the maid’s personal accident insurance. You will be discharged from the security bond liability (usually within a week) if

SUGGESTIONS FOR EMPLOYER 1. The employer recognizes that the maid needs to keep in contact with family and friends. 2. If the maid does not own a handphone, the employer should allow the maid to call home free of charge once a week. 3. If the maid owns a handphone, she should be allowed to

Don’t under-estimate the importance of house rules for maids. All employees work best with a clear job description and ground rules for behavior and interaction with people around them. Maids are no different. Give your maid a schedule, and let her know the hours you want her to work, and the rules of the house.