Just like how you’ll welcome a new employee with onboarding programmes, you should do the same for your new domestic helper to ensure she will ease into the job more seamlessly. If you’ve recently hired a domestic helper and she is about to start work, here are five things you should do to help her integrate smoothly into your home.
1. Sort out living arrangements
Allocate a comfortable space where your domestic helper who newly arrived in Singapore can feel at ease in. When she has a comfortable room, she’ll not only feel welcome but also be encouraged to work more diligently. Make sure to clean up the room thoroughly so that she doesn’t have to clean her own room as her first task. You may even want to make the room more delightful to live in with proper furniture, colourful bedsheets and curtains that offer maximum privacy.
2. Define expectations & priorities
Take some time to convey your requirements even if you assume your helper’s agency may have done a round of briefing. When you can clearly define your expectations and priorities, your helper will be more aware of where her commitment should be placed.
Start by explaining her key duties and schedule, including wake-up time, meal times and rest days. Then go on to explain her wage, allowances and any banking-related matters that she should take note of. Importantly, both of you must come to an agreement regarding mobile phone usage. You should address issues such as whether you will provide your domestic helper with a mobile phone in Singapore, when she can use her phone during the work day and whether she can tap on the home Wi-Fi.
3. Prepare a handbook of helpful information
Because your domestic helper is new to Singapore and how your family operates, you should create a handbook with useful information to help her integrate into her surroundings more seamlessly. Include in the handbook all relevant information such as key contact numbers of relevant authorities, family members and people that she may need to communicate with for daily work matters.
On top of these contacts, weave in details like travel instructions, medication requirements for the family and addresses of locations that your helper may need to visit during her employment. For example, addresses of your children’s school and your parent’s and in-law’s home should be included since your helper may have to travel to and fro these places regularly.
4. Consider privacy & boundaries
Because your helper will be living with you and become a part of your household, it can be somewhat uncomfortable if you don’t set boundaries. While your helper’s agency in Singapore might have explained basic guidelines on how to live harmoniously together under one roof, you’ll still have to reiterate the boundaries based on the real scenario to protect both parties. This can point to defining what she should or should not do, what she can or cannot touch and to what extent she can exercise her own discretion. For example, be clear about whether she can discipline your children if they misbehaviour and what kind of disciplinary action she can take. The more you can define the boundaries, the better chances for both of you to live together with less conflict and misunderstandings.
5. Keep an open mind
It is possible that despite the explanation, she may still not perform tasks the way you want it. But if you can exercise tolerance and continue to give your feedback respectfully, surely the goodwill will encourage her to succeed eventually. People usually learn from positive reinforcement – if you show gratitude for the good work she’s done, it is bound to bridge the relationship between both of you too.
Having a domestic helper can be a saving grace in so many ways. If you’re bogged down by too many household chores, don’t hesitate to contact us at Homekeeper Maid Agency by calling (65) 64685220, WhatsApp (65) 8515 5527, or email at contactus@homekeeper.sg for more details. Our domestic helpers in Singapore are trained to provide infant care, elderly care and housekeeping so that you’ll always have peace of mind.
About the Author
Linda Seh has over 20 years of experience in the Employment industry. She takes the time to thoroughly interview each family and helper to understand their requirements, personalities, and preferences. Her intuition and insight has helped her make placements that result in lasting, harmonious working relationships. Linda now leverages this expertise and experience to simplify your search and ensure you find the ideal and qualified helper to become a valued member of your family.
