Helper has very long hair

Posted by FKKC (250 days ago)

Our helper who has been with us for over 3 years is really good and we appreciate her a lot but her hair has since grow very long down to her waist.
Had no problem with her outlook but lately she doesn't tied it up as before and even not clipping the front part which dangles & falls over her face when she's working. I am quite uncomfortable with that and told her so. That was a couple of week's ago and she tied it up which looks so refresh and I complimented her for it. Last night after dinner after washing up she came to the dining room, her untied hair was all over the clean cups when she bend over to put them away into the cupboard. Of course I pointed out and she acknowledged but still went on just putting the cups in. It was New Year's Eve and I don't want to make a fuss. What would you have done? Also she talks on the phone while she's cooking - they were in-coming calls so it's not really her fault but I told her she can switched off the fire and finished talking if it's important or else return her friend's call at a later time when she's free which is around 8PM.

Any advice:
1. Long untied hair during working hours
2. Telephone conversation (on her mobile) during cooking

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Posted by cara (250 days ago)

just tell her straight out...

1) hair MUST be tied back or she should wear a hair net while working
2) NO personal calls during working hours, unless an emergency

personally, i don't have a problem with the phone, if she's not caring for children. i would have a problem with the hair though!

Posted by ldsllvn (249 days ago)

ah yes! the long hair! have just dealt with that one - our helper did exactly the same - we kept on finding her hair everywhere - drove me nuts. I gently and very nicely asked her to cut it - which she did (yay!!) finally during her X-mas hols! Ask her to cut it or always put it up..

Posted by coquinne (243 days ago)

during my time as a helper I always put up my hair away from myface not because madame wanted it, t'was my preference and part of my personal hygiene. Until now as a stay at home mum, I can't start my day w/ loose hair. Our present helper has a short one but leaves a trail of fall hair everywhere so what I did I bought a masking tape and told her to use it to pick them up ( its what I do w/ mine ) I think you just tell her directly what you wish as how I do w/ my helper " I think its about time to clean your room"

Posted by zusa (207 days ago)

I sometimes wonder how some of you make it through life. You seem to be running scared of actually speaking directly to your helper. Give me a break. Simply raise the issues with her that bother you. Come on... you're an adult act like one. Speak direct and to the point. All this mincing to and fro over your helpers hair and phone habits is ridiculous. Just tell her what you expect... hair to be kept up and no phone conversations during working hours. Is that really that hard?!?!

Posted by arlina (207 days ago)

EXACTLY Zusa..... it is not hard to be direct but if your helper has been soooo comfy with you (after 3 years) and you are not one of those employers who are really very stirct - you will find yourself being taken for granted and manipulated at times. I had the same experience with the hair, and it is an ongoing reminder to
our old helper. First she will listen then after a week back to the usual. AHHH, I JUST DO NOT WANT WRINKLES.

Posted by Peggie Wong (207 days ago)

What a co-incidence to bring up this subject up again....following the advices from this column, I talked to my helper straight to the point and everything was working out fine until yesterday, she had her hair loosely tied to the back with her long hair spreading out like a peac*ck but I was on my way out of the house so I just pointed out letting her know it's not exactly right. This morning, it was still like that and it make me so uncomfortable that she's not listening right again. I casually asked her why and she said she had her hair treated and to tighten it up will spoil the look. I didn't know what to do so I just left it for awhile and I became very unhappy as there's no solution. Then I realized the stress will do me no good and I must do something........I went to her and said I'll buy you a net and she said how do I wear it? So I said then braid your hair as braiding wouldn't hurt it and she said she doesn't know how and I said I'll do it for you and she said not necessary and she curled it up into a bun. My last straw was by saying such long hair takes a lot of vitamin from you and by protecting it like this and causing so much fiction in the household is not really worth it and although we value you very much, you have to go if this issue is not solved, she immediately said she'll cut it and that makes me feel bad also. I said I don't want to force you to cut your hair if you like it so much but at least make sure this hair issue doesn't continue anymore...well...that was the happening this morning and she knows I am very serious this time but what a way to go about getting the message through!!!

Posted by FKKC (207 days ago)

Peggie, don't feel bad as mine had her hair cut after I talked to her and now we are both happy with the situation. Hope things work out for you too.