Posted by
memei
15 yrs ago
Hi Everyone~ we've got a new Filipino helper two month ago, she just comes once a week for a few hours to clean the house. But I'm thinking to fire her lately because she's really careless. A friend said what she did is completely common, but please tell you what you think!
The first time she came, she poured the water that she used to clean the mop into our kitchen sink and she didn't even clean the hair and other dirty stuff stuck on the drain, which was how I found out. Ah, and she knocked a piece of paint (thumb sized) of our kitchen furniture when vacuumed the room.
This week there were only very few things for her to do, so she worked incredibly slow. The next day, my husband found a shirt that ironed by the helper was burned at the front that makes it not wearable anymore. Today I found the ironing board was burned and surface was broken!!!
I'm really unhappy about the carelessness and dishonest of her. I mean, I wound seriously feel better if she just mention the burned shirt and ironing board to me and apologize, but she didn't. I don't know how she could take our money with a big smile on her face and told me "see, now your house is much cleaner" without feeling guilty?!
We are paying her $80 per hour just for simply cleaning which we think is pretty good. But why can't we find a good careful helper??? OR, maids are all like this like what I was told by a friend?
This is annoying.....HELP...
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memei
15 yrs ago
ah, yes, this week she also used our kitchen sponge for dish washing to clean the stove, you know the cleanser she uses is quite powerful chemical, got a very strong smell too. I don't know what the thought when she picked up the kitchen sponge while there were about 10 small pieces of cloth for her to use. Just carelessness I think.
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Well, you might want to let this one go. However your friend is wrong that "maids are like this". Like all groups of people, you'll find all sorts. Some people just expect the worst from their maids for some reason.
Did you give her feedback, telling her what she did wrong in a nice way? Lots of helpers try hard but simply aren't aware that they are not doing things the way you want them done.
For part time, you might be better off with a firm like Merry Maids. More control that way.
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When we had been in HK for about 6 months, we hired a PT helper for 10 hours per week and paid 1500 per month. I think that makes it come to about $38/hour.
She was AWESOME. Was quick, orderly, saw what needed to be done, babysat with flair when that was needed. She broke one of my kitchen pot's handles off when it slipped out of her soapy hands and bounced on the kitchen floor but that's about the only damage I recall her doing in the 7 months she worked for us. We later hired a FT live in helper who was totally useless and got less done in a full week than our PT did in her 10 hours! -she lasted 2Ā½ months!
Our new helper who starts next week is Indonesian, young and has experience working with demanding Chinese employers (like our part timer) and the one who was set in her ways and couldn't follow instruction (or as it became apparent, could, but chose not to) was 49 years old, had worked for westerners her whole time in HK and thought she knew better...well I'll let you guess her nationality as if I mention it myself I might ruffle a few feathers!
Get rid of this one. ..and for future reference, you generally pay $50-60/hour as a casual rate and can get really good quality work for that.
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Milty
15 yrs ago
Have you brought all your issues to your helper's attention?
If you have and she hasn't changed, then simply fire her. She works only 3 hours per week...don't stress over it, get a new one and move on. It's not such a big deal.
Not all helpers are like this. This is a complete generalisation. I have had my part time helper for over 2 years, I pay $60 per hour and things get done without me having to remind her. About every few months I have to remind her about specific things but it;'s not a real issue.
Check with other friends and see if they have a part time helper who has time to help you out.
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adele78. I hear what you are saying but I don't understand how nationality has anything to do with her attitude. A good worker is a good worker. Nationality doesn't matter.
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memei
15 yrs ago
Thanks for all the replies. I think we may have to fire her, unfortunately, i really don't want to see she loses her job so quickly but it seems we can't communicate very well apart from her carelessness. Just got a sms from my husband as he's home today, saying he can't understand her Eng. A big relief! Don't need to worry about shirts being burned anymore!
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a helper is supposed to be helping, not causing stress ... if she's as bad as you say (and plenty are) then you should fire her.
Don't give up hope; there are some diamonds out there, but it often takes a few false starts to find a good one.
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how long has your pt been working as a domestic helper?
which part of the Philippines did she come from i.e. did she come from a far flung province?
do remember to teach/orient your helpers how things are done in your home because they have a different way of doing things back home.
vacuum cleaners, washing machine, dish washers and like gadgets are also not usually used where they come from hence they may not know the proper use of such gadgets.
when you get a new pt - ensure that you give them an orientation beforehand including what sponges and materials to use, use of vacuums, where to throw garbage etc etc.
you would have sufficient grounds for firing them for not following instructions.
on another thought - hiring part time helpers is illegal in hk, and you would be liable for hiring one.
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