Getting into the right working relationship with your domestic helper
By Shu Rin Hoe, 27 February 2018
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The first meeting with your domestic helper is crucial to starting the relationship on the right note. It is important to establish certain ground rules and expectation. At the same time, it is also important to help her know that she will be well taken care of.
1. Be clear about expectations
While working as a helper is just like any job, living under one roof may change the employer-employee dynamics inadvertently. The key is to practice the golden rule of "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". If you were an employee, how would you like your superior to communicate your responsibilities with you? Keeping this in mind, detail your needs and requirements, and her responsibilities when it comes to caring for your family. For example, if you would prefer that she doesn't get too involved in parenting your child, let her know upfront. Little things like taking her to the supermarket to show her some of your family's favourite items, showing her how you like your clothes ironed, and familiarising her with your daily schedules will also help immensely.
2. Put her at ease
Assimilating to a new environment is always stressful, which can increase tensions at home. However, you can help to alleviate some of your helper's stress. For instance, prepare an emergency toolkit so that she knows what to do in a crisis, should you not be at home or easily reached. Personal health is another concern. Falling sick in a foreign country can add to their worry and heightens it if there is a need to be hospitalised. This affects not only the helper but also the employers as a deposit needs to be placed with the hospital to meet initial costs. While there are heartening incidents of employers taking care of their helpers' hefty healthcare treatment expenses, not all helpers are as fortunate, and not all employers can afford it. Income works with government restructured hospitals to provide insurance coverage that will relieve employers of this requirement for an initial deposit. In other words, employers can now worry less about having to make the deposit upfront, and only pay for medical costs not covered by insurance when the final medical expenses are tallied. This will provide an extra peace of mind for your helper, knowing that her treatment can commence without any potential hurdle.
Having such peace of mind eases stress on both ends, and in the long run, establishes better relationships in the household.
After addressing the immediate issues, it is also crucial to maintain the relationship to ensure a happy home. The following tips can be practiced or done on a daily basis – consistency is always key. It provides her with stability, and allows her to navigate her way through this working relationship.
3. Build trust and rapport
A working relationship founded on mutual trust and understanding will enhance the quality of daily communication with your helper. You can build up trust and rapport with your helper through simple actions like getting to know her, both at home and beyond. Do make it a point to celebrate special occasions such as her birthday- you can take her out for a meal, give her a present or extend an angbao to her. It doesn't have to be a grand gesture – little acts of appreciation will go a long way. Consider including her in family outings and get to understand each other better through such interactions to build a stronger working relationship.
4. Encourage communication, not fear
Your helper comes from a different culture and background, and her lifestyle and communication habits probably differ from yours. So, give her some time to settle into the new environment. Let her know that you are open to listening to her questions and doubts. Be patient when she makes mistakes, talk to her tactfully, and offer suggestions on how she can do the tasks better the next time. Because it's natural for tensions to arise from different personalities and expectations, do set some time aside for regular feedback (from both sides). This ensures that there is a mutual understanding on how to communicate better.
5. Take care of her needs
It is important to take care of her physical needs and safety needs – which includes protection from elements, security and stability. Apart from making sure these needs are met through communication in your relationship with her, it is also important to assure her that she will be well taken care of in the event of any accidents. Income’s Domestic Helper Insurance offers personal accident coverage, and also provides cover for your helper's outpatient medical expenses due to injury. Helping her know that she’ll be taken care of if she gets injured will give her a sense of safety, and in turn, she will trust you more.
Besides physical needs, there are also emotional needs. On top of providing her salary, you can reward your helper when she does well. Consider giving her time off on special occasions such as her birthday or Christmas. She may be missing her loved ones back home, so let her know that you understand and care about her well-being. Let her speak to her family regularly so that she feels connected to them. This will improve her emotional well-being, which will positively affect how she feels and acts in your home.
Having a new person in your home is an adjustment to make and we hope that the above tips will be helpful in cultivating the working relationship with your helper.
Find out more about Income’s Domestic Helper Insurance for your added peace of mind today.
