Whether you need someone to keep your apartment clean regularly or want someone to watch over your children while you are at work, having a foreign domestic worker at home may be incredibly helpful for you and your family. In particular, hiring a maid in Singapore can help remove some of your household burdens so that you can reclaim your time and focus on your job.
A domestic helper can take the weight of daily household chores off your shoulders and keep you from spreading yourself too thin. But before you choose a domestic helper for your family, there are five questions you need to ask them first.
“Do You Have Any Work Experience as a Domestic Helper?”
In most cases, it’s best to work with a maid who has had experience in cleaning, cooking, or taking care of children, especially if your child has special needs. It’s worth noting that some origin countries provide training programmes and orientations to their workers before they’re interviewed by Singaporean maid agencies and prospective employers. However, it’s still a good idea to ask potential candidates about their previous work experience.
If you are looking for a maid for your child, have them interact with your kid in your presence. Children are naturally loving and accepting, but there are some rare cases where a child may react negatively to a new person. It is important that you are present during any first interactions to stop potential temper tantrums or other issues that might keep the maid and your child from getting along.
“How Would You React If/When…?”
It’s a good idea to let your maid know what she can expect in your household during the interview process. Ask her how she would react in certain situations, especially those related to her specific duties.
If you are hiring her for housework, ask her how she likes to clean furniture or her specific cleaning process. If she is being hired as a cook, ask her what dishes she can make, how early in the day she goes to the market, or whether she is willing to learn new recipes. When asking these questions, pay attention to the nonverbal cues offered by the potential candidate. If she shows an unpleasant mood or appears unsure with her answers, it may be better to look for a different maid.
“Are There Any Family Concerns Back Home I Need to Be Aware Of?”
Southeast Asians are known for their close family ties. While many maids will never ask to cancel their contract before it expires, there may be extenuating circumstances that force them to do so. Usually, these events revolve around their families.
You don’t need to get incredibly in-depth about this, but you may ask questions such as:
There are many ways to phrase this, but the important thing is to better understand the candidate’s internal motivation. It’s important to not only know their particular skill sets but also why they want to work as a domestic helper in the first place. Knowing these things can help you fine-tune your approach when giving them different tasks, should you choose to hire them.
If your maid is a transfer candidate, ask them why they requested a transfer. Gently ask them about their previous employer, what their tasks were, and how they handled certain situations. From their answers, you can gauge whether they are aligned with your own values.
“Is There Anything I Need to Know About Your Health or Religion?”
Some religions do not allow certain foods to be eaten. It is important that you are aware of this so that you can shop for different food items, just in case. In the same vein, some candidates may have certain dietary restrictions unrelated to religion but based on their health, such as allergies to specific food groups.
It is important that you are aware of any medical conditions your maid may have, including whether they need to take any medications regularly. Keep in mind that you will be responsible for all medical expenses of your maid.
Hiring a domestic worker can be incredibly beneficial for you and your family. Many maids from Southeast Asia are known for their friendliness, professionalism, and deep respect for their elders. All that being said, it still is important that you and your maid maintain close communication once you start an employment contract. Be clear about what you expect around the house and help her adjust during her first few weeks.
Being open and accessible will not only build a better bond between you and your domestic worker but will also ensure that everything will be handled properly, making your life less hectic and giving you peace of mind.