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The Six Most Common MaidHiring Mistakes

by Julianna Abad
Contributor, MaidSearcher

YOU WAKE UP ONE DAY AND FIND OUT THAT YOUR NEWLY HIRED MAID OF FIVE DAYS IS NOWHERE IN SIGHT AND HER BELONGINGS ARE GONE.
This is the scenario that too often happens in a typical Filipino household. Six in every ten Filipino families hire help in the person of a maid, yaya (nanny) or driver. With this high demand for household help, turnover rate is growing as helpers quickly "jump ship" from one employer to another, until they are satised with either the salary, benets, or living condition being offered by another employer. Unfortunately, that leaves the former employer in shambles, frantically searching for a new maid. How do we avoid the stress of constantly looking for a new maid? How do we search for the perfect maid for our family and know that they will be a keeper? How do we steer clear from the opportunists or deviant (pasaway) ones? We asked several groups parenting and hiring organizations to name the most common maid-hiring mistakes they nd, and provide solutions to each. The good news is that some of the most frequently made missteps are also the most preventable.

who may not be concerned about your family's welfare (only their own) and thus will refer someone who do they not know personally. What to do: Only get referrals from close friends or family who will generally be motivated to help you nd a good helper because they care

the right one for your needs. If not, then look for another one. Remember, it is your family's safety and security that will be on the line here. This basic act of getting as much information about your potential helper is the most important step. Next, be sure to conduct a face-to-

for you and your family. If you will hire from a maid agency, make sure that your friends have experience hiring from that agency and get their feedback.

2. NO BACKGROUND CHECK OR FACE-TO-FACE INTERVIEW


Believe it or not, most employers do not conduct any background checks or even interview prospective helpers. The just hire the rst helper that becomes available and then hire her on the spot. What to do: Simply asking a friend

1. FAILING TO ASK FOR REFERRAL FROM CREDIBLE SOURCES

In the Philippines, the most common way to hire helpers is to get through referral. However, most, in their rush to look for a maid, will get referrals from questionable sources like other helpers or acquaintances,

or a family member who referred the maid to you about the latter's background (location, age, education, previous employment, NBI clearance, etc.) will instantly provide information if the helper is

face interview. And, by interviewing the prospect we get a lot of information, not just from her answers but from non-verbal cues as well (i.e. facial expressions, mannerisms, and other habits). According to Malcolm Gladwell, in his best-selling book Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, "we think without thinking, we thinslice whenever we meet a new person or have to make sense of something quickly or encounter a novel situation. He says, Snap judgments are, rst of all, enormously quick: they rely on the thinnest slices of experience they are also unconscious.... We thin-slice because we have to, and we come to rely on that ability because there are lots of hidden sts out there, lots of situations where careful attention to the details of a very thin slice, even

The Six Most Common MaidHiring Mistakes


for no more than a second or two, can tell us an awful lot. Trust your instincts and if your guts tell you that this helper is not trustworthy, chances are, you are right. simple household jobs. However, they may be surprised to learn that what's simple to us employers may not be to helpers (e.g. carrying and feeding the baby, operating home and kitchen appliances, telephones, etc.). This may be true for inexperienced and helpers hired from the provinces. What to do: If possible, take a week off from work to be able to conduct training for the helper and at then conduct an audit or observation of her work. If you recently gave birth and are still on maternity leave, this is the best time to train and audit. Based on the job description you discussed with the helper (as What to do: During the presuggested in item 3 above), employment interview, explain demonstrate each job rst then let precisely the job that will be required the helper do it on her own. This of the helper. Will she just work as a way, you will be able to judge her yaya or will also you expect her to do skill level and abilities in taking some cleaning and cooking? Think instructions. Observe her for the about how your present employer next few days until you are explained to you your current work. comfortable the she can perform the Normally, your work is transcribed job independently. in a job description led with your HR department. Request for a copy 5. OVER-TRUSTING NEWLY HIRED and then do the same for your yaya. HELP Of course, it will not be as complicated as yours but write it in more simple terms and in Filipino. Some helpers who are part of While you are at it, construct your criminal syndicates will gain your household rules (e.g. use of trust within the next few weeks or cellphones, day offs, handling of your months and then strike when you kids, etc.). start feel comfortable with them. What are the day-to-day tasks of the helper? What are your house rules? Not communicating this clearly to your helpers will not only lead to confusion on their part but also stress and frustration on yours. Go over the job description and house rules one by one and have the helper sign if she agrees. Run your household like any respectable company, and your employees will work professionally as well. What to do: Continue to monitor the behavior and performance of your new helper. Do not entrust huge amounts of money until you are fully satised that your helper is legit. Store cash and high value items such as jewelry, notebook computers, mobile phones and other gadgets in a secure place. Install CCTV cameras in well-placed areas (master's bedroom, child's room, kitchen, etc.). Moreover, do not leave your house key with the helper at any time because this can easily be duplicated.

3. DID NOT CLEARLY EXPLAIN OR COMMUNICATE THE JOB REQUIREMENT AND RULES

6. DID NOT GET FEEDBACK FROM CHILDREN, NEIGHBORS, OR FELLOW HELPERS


Your new maid may act like an angel in front of you. But when you are not around, she turns into a demon. Only those who are around her when you are not can raise the red ag. What to do: Ask your neighbors and her fellow helpers discretely. You don't want the helper to exact revenge on them after you re the former. For your children, especially the younger ones, ask them casually about their yaya. If you sense that something is not right, your instincts are probably correct. Probe further and don't dismiss or belittle what your child has told you. So, the next time you hire a new helper, do your homework and learn to trust your gut. It can save you a lot of hassle in the future and will let your family live a stress-free life.

4. NO TRAINING
Most employers expect newly hired help to be able to know how to do

(For more tips and to search our extensive listings of maid, yaya or driver job seekers, please join us at MaidSearcher.com.)

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