Can I trust my helper?

I've had my helper for 18 months and so far been very happy with her. But she seems to be mucking me around just these last few weeks and I'm not sure what to do.


She became ill about 5 weeks ago with a cough. After a couple of weeks coughing I asked her if she had or could visit a doctor as the cough wasn't getting better or worse. She went and got some tablets and told my husband she was fighting fit again. I went away for one day and when I came back she was ill again! Same cough! When my husband came home while I was away she was lying on the couch with another helper watching my kids. I had left her at 9.30am and she was fine! By 1.30 pm when my husband came home she was too ill and laying down on the couch!!! Is that ill? She was fine the next day? Two days after she was ill again, same cough. I told her to go back to the doctors and more tablets now she seems to be ok.


But since then I've found out that she is having friends over when I'm not here, while she should be looking after my kids. She had her daughter over this morning at 8.30. Her daughter lives over in the NT so how she got here so early I have no idea, my guess is she stayed overnight but I have no proof.


We are leaving soon for our home visit and I just don't know if I can trust her. What should I do? I havn't spoken to her yet as I wanted to get some advice from all of you guys.

your subject heading alone states it all that you are already doubting your helper.


have a sit down with your husband (yes your husband first) and discuss this with him. he needs to be in sync with you regarding the actions that will follow regarding your helper


then sit down with your helper, and have an honest talk with her regarding your concerns, friends visiting over and staying over even though they are relatives , and rules regarding visitors ... and the possible consequences.


if she disobeys that again, give her a written warning letter. 2 warning letters and would be grounds for dismissal (something like that). when you issue a warning letter make sure there is a non- family witness and that she counter signs it.


tell her that you have installed a nanny cam (just to give her a bit of a scare) and that you are monitoring things in the house.

Hi,


From what I read, I can tell you I wouldn't trust her for sure !!

Having friends over when you're away, this is unacceptable.

As for her illness, well I guess it's difficult to say...


I would get rid of her now as she can't be trusted and seems to take you for a ride (of course she knows she's not supposed to have visitors sitting on your couch when you're not there !!! There is no point sitting with her to explain this to her, this is common sense and respect !!!).

Also, you're leaving soon and are you sure you want her in your house while away ??? I would hate to have someone like her in my house while away, not being sure of what she does, with who ???? NO WAY.

If she understands that you accept this, it'll only be the beginning of many other surprises for you, believe me !

Get rid of her !!

Good luck.

Having friends over without your permission is gross misconduct and deserves a warning letter at the very least.


To be honest it sounds as if you have answered your own question here with regards to trust and for everybody's sake, it sounds like the best course of action would be to let her go.

What else has she been up to that you don't know about ???

Best to have a chinese friend speak to the caretaker because they know everything!