medical problem!

We've just hired a domestic helper a few weeks ago to help with the arrival and care of our first baby next month. Everything seems to be going OK, except for the fact that she's stared complaining about back and leg pain over the last week. I offered to take her to the doctors, but she says she should be alright. I've given her pain relief medications and ointments to help her out, in addition to light duties and ample rest.

During the interview, she said that she was totally fit and had no prior ailments, which was also certified by the examining doctor before we signed the contact. However, she now tells me that she has always suffered this pain for about ten years.

I feel that she mislead us and do not know what to do now. The baby is coming soon and don't know whether she will be fit to enough to take care of our newborn when I return to work. Do you think I should start looking for another helper?


We have also taken out medical insurance for her. Are we responsible to pay for all her medical expenses (practioner's fees, medications, physio, chiro, xrays, etc)?


Any advise would be much appreciated.

Yes, I'm afraid I've been there too. Ours also started about a month before our baby was due, and it got to the point when every time I asked her to do something there would be tears about her arm/back/women's troubles. Again, a full medical showed her fit for employment. I gave her the option to see either my doctor or the govt hospital doctors if she wanted a specialist referral, but in the end I sat her down and said that she had to be able to do the job as it was laid out when we signed the contract - basically fairly light housework and looking after a new born. It was up to her whether she thought she could do it or whether she would think hard about her future as a DH (as she would have a far harder job with a lot of employers). Finally after a lot of stress she left and went home. I don't think she was exactly trying it on, but when you take a job which involves a certain amount of lifting, sweeping, carrying, and then pretty much immediately decide that you can't do it after all, then that's a bit naughty.

xox, I'd start looking for another one. If you have to work, then you will be relying on the DH to take care of the baby and the house. Believe me it is a lot of work. When the baby gets bigger and wants to be held a lot (before he/she could sit), it is tough... If the DH complains about pain now, just wait till later. There are plenty of good ones around. It is hit or miss. My DH started after my baby was born. At the time she was 43. She is now 50, still very strong. Guess we got lucky. Good luck.

Thank you for your replies.

Yesterday, I asked her whether she thought she'd be fit enough to look after the baby and everything else and she quickly replied... "yes, maam, no problem maam!" Since last night she hasn't complained of any pain.

She knows she has it good with us (her own large bedroom, double food allowance, regular little gifts and extra holidays already booked for Christams!) I think it's all my fault for starting off like this. I know I was warned!


Are we responsible for paying all of the DHs medical bills????

Yes, but you can specify the doctor, if you want to make sure it's within your insurance limits (mine is $200 per consultation). (Or she can go to the govt hospital outpatient dept, but then she will be there all day waiting.)