Common Foreign Domestic Maid Problems & How to Deal with It.
Following are some of the common problems employers face with their new foreign domestic maids. Here are some tips of how deal with it:
1. The foreign domestic maid is not doing the right things & may be frustrated.
Put it another way, the foreign domestic maid may be doing too many things but not doing the important things first. Sound confusing!
For example, taking care of the elderly, physically challenged and young children are usually on the top of the priority list. Cleaning, washing, and ironing can be done later or to leave it for other family members to help later.
In this case, it is the responsibility of the employer to do the following:
- Set clear guidelines and instructions on how certain things do first and the rest later.List which duties and chores are to be done first, second, third, etc.
- Remind the foreign domestic maid that “quality come before quantity”. Make sure the maid understands this.
- Do let the foreign domestic maid know that if she is overwhelmed by the important duties and chores, the rest of the work can be deferred or leave it to the rest of the family members to help out. If the amount of work is too much, time to reconsider taking in another foreign domestic maid or allocating duties to the other members of the family.
- Do ensure that the foreign domestic maid do not overwork and take her rest when due. The foreign domestic maid should also take her day off to recharge and re-energize.
2. The foreign domestic maid is stubborn & does things her way.
It takes time & patience to train the foreign domestic maid. Show by example how effective it is to do it your way (provided it is the better way). Communicate more often. Explain why and how to do the chores correctly. Do break down the chores into small chunks and let her accomplish her tasks one at a time. Do offer praise when due.
3. The foreign domestic maid has a bad disposition & table manner, poor personal hygiene.
This can be very subjective, sensitive and personal. Takes time and patience to get the foreign domestic maid to change and unlearn those bad habits. Show by example how chores are to be done and how things are to be conducted. This includes mannerism.
Everyone in the household should set good examples for the foreign domestic maid to emulate. Be polite & mindful of the tone when speaking to the foreign domestic maid.
Be specific; give instructions on one issue at a time. Never give multiple or complex instructions. Show praise when the foreign domestic maid does things right.
4. The foreign domestic maid is too nosy and tried to be too friendly and chummy.
Getting the maid to know the family well is good but do keep a distance.
Inculcate in the foreign domestic maid to show respect to the employer and the elders &stress that everyone in the household deserve some privacy, indirectly telling the foreign domestic maid not to invade other people’s private space and lives.
However, do let the foreign domestic maid feel she is recognised and appreciated for her role in the household. If not, the foreign domestic maid will feel isolated, ostracised and may be withdrawn from the rests which is unhealthy psychologically.
5. The foreign domestic maid is fearful of breaking bad news or admitting that she has done the wrong things.
Allowing the foreign domestic maid to keep to herself is bad.
Not telling & admitting her mistakes will lead to even deeper issues for the foreign domestic maid. She will never learn and improve.
The foreign domestic maid must be assured that her employer will always have a listening ear to her family & personal problems. The employer will always be there to help the foreign domestic maid to resolve her personal woes. A troubled and unhappy foreign domestic maid is bad for the employer and the household.
Do encourage the foreign domestic maid to admit the mistakes she made or when she breaks things. Do highlight to the foreign domestic maid the need to update the employer if she fails to complete a given task for whatever reasons. Be reasonable to the delay in completing her given tasks.
The employer should not feign ignorance or be oblivious of what is happening to the foreign domestic maid. Letting the foreign domestic maid’s problems be swept under the carpet is bad for all in the long run. Be open to communication and feedback from the maid.
6. The foreign domestic maid lacks initiative.
It may not be the fault or laziness of the foreign domestic maid.
Take the following proactive approach:
Break the various tasks into small bits
Allocate a specific timeframe for each task to be completed
List these tasks in the correct order of priority
Follow up and check on the correct way of doing each task
Offer feedback on how to do it right and timely
Offer praise when due.
Repeat this process several times. Some foreign domestic maids take longer time to learn to do things right and timely. Lastly, do not give fuzzy & vague instructions. Do not expect the foreign domestic maid to read your mind and to do it your way, quickly. Give one bite-size instruction at a time. Get the foreign domestic maid to record it and repeat to you on her interpretation of your instructions. Nodding their head is just a polite way of the maid acknowledging your instruction. It does not necessary mean that the maid fully understands it.
Patience, understanding and being systematic is the key to dealing with this issue.
7. The foreign domestic maid is constantly on the phone chatting.
This is a common headache for many employers.
Set strict guidelines such as no calls during work unless during her rest time or emergency.
At all times, the foreign domestic maid is not allowed to be on the phone while tending to babies, young children, the elderly and physically handicapped. Mistakes and accidents may happen.
When in doubt on how to deal with your foreign domestic maid, consult us. We have the expertise & experience to guide employers on how to deal with your new house maid.
