Posted by
jessielibo
18 yrs ago
I have posted my nightmares with helpers, had changed four helpers for the past 3 years. Just recently hired a new DH, she seems fine with everything - though she can't cook but she is willing to try. She is younger than me, but it makes the relationship better cos I joke with her (I hired two Indonesians who couldn't communicate with me). She had unpleasant experience with her previous employer.
I once hired a male Filipino driver who said he loved dogs at the interview, but in fact, his girlfriend called to say that he loved me instead and said they broke up because of me(What a freaking joke!). He left after a month.
Don't give up, I had changed five helpers before finding a good one here. Had numerous interviews. Used to trust the agents, but this time I interviewed myself.
Please support our advertisers:
After having the best helper around, (who left us because she got married), I'm trialling a new helper who has never worked in HK before. She doesn't seem to have any idea how to do anything and no commonsense. For example, she wants to dust and polish everythign first before doing the vacummin etc. She went to use furniture polish to clean the plasma TV. Now, I realise I would have to do some training, but having to teach someone all the basics is going to be time-consuming. Plus, if some-one doesn't have common sense, it's not something I can teach them. Has anyone else hired a new helper direct from the PH..? Was it a success, were you able to train them..?
Please support our advertisers:
Sometimes it is better not to have commonsense. Our helper saw the sofa covers were dirty so she used her commonsense and put them in the washing machine - they were dry clean only! I now think it would be better to have someone without initiative and train them to do everything.
Remember not many philippinos would have had a plasma in the philippines so how would she know not to use polish on it unless told.
Good luck with the training.
Please support our advertisers:
Dear ozcalgal,
Don't worry! It might be rather frustrating at first, but it'd probably take time and patience to train new helpers direct from PH. They would have the faintest idea as to getting the housework right.
If you prefer someone who can start work with the least instructions, then I advise you to look for finished contracts in HK and interview as many as you can. I had waited for two months, spoke and met at least 10 job seekers, until my present helper arrived in my home.
My helper had worked two years in HK and finished her contract, her reference was not exactly outstanding (as I called her previous employer - an old lady- they can be rather demanding),couldn't cook either, but I have never expected her to be able to be a Superwoman. I see her initiative to learn and her employer didn't complain about her being dishonest - which is so important if the home is left to her most of the time.
I had numerous nightmares with helpers before this right one arrived. I am sure we can see through their eyes whether they are genuine or not during the interview. Have to trust your instincts or seek for second advice from your husband or friend.
Please support our advertisers:
Commonsense
We all have different standards about commonsense. I laid all my instructions for her upon her arrival in our home - about five pages. I planned a Spotless day, divided three sections of our home to do serious scrubbing, cleaning or polishing. It will be difficult for her to get every inch spotless in a day, I told her to do a big scrub once a fortnight.
Please support our advertisers:
Thanks for your help jessie. I've been interviewing helpers today and have found 2 I like - both with references. There are however, no contact details with the references so I cannot call the employer.Any advice? I would prefer to speak to the employer before hiring someone, just to really check the reason why they were terminated. Has anyone else hired a helper before without talking to previous employers?
Please support our advertisers:
I am surprised when helpers tell me their employers couldn't be contacted at the time. If there is nothing to hide, then what's the reason for hiding their numbers. Still recall a helper who told me ALL her previous employers changed their mobile and home numbers - would you believe that, I mean she has worked in HK for 10 years? You really need to speak to the previous employer to know what your helper is like (as I mentioned earlier about the negative comments from the previous employer of my helper, just proved that it was the employer who was too demanding), you would just have to judge for yourself who is right or wrong.
Please support our advertisers:
Ozcalgal - never hire a DH without speaking to her/his current/previous employer. Make sure you call them and asked questions on:
Honesty
Attitude
Hygeine standard
Ever have calls from Loan Companies?
Ever asked for advance payments?
It's not hard to train someone to cook or to clean, but if you come across someone dishonest and has money problems then it can be very troublesome.
Good luck!
Please support our advertisers:
You must be logged in to be able to reply.
Login now
Copy Link
Facebook
Gmail
Mail