Posted by
jodies
18 yrs ago
Our helper has been with us for almost 1 year now. She is extremely good and we trust here entirely with our 4 children. Over the year she has asked for and advance on her salary several times for tuition fees for her daughters, buying a home and medical costs for her family. Unfortuately, now her father has passed away and being the eldest child it is up to her to pay for the medical costs and funeral. She has now asked us for an advance of her pay which is worth 8 months of employment. We are more than happy for her to take time off and return to the Phillipines (we are paying for the airfare) and some of the cost of the funeral. I just wanted to know what you would do in this situation. Would you advance your helper 8 months salary?????
Please support our advertisers:
pzam
18 yrs ago
8 months salary advance + a trip to her home country... I know that you want to be compassionate at this very tough time for her but I don't think it'll be a good situation.
Cynical side of me is thinking what if she decides to just stay in the Philippines and not return to your employ, then you may be out the 8 months salary. You are already being generous by paying for her ticket home and part of the funeral costs. It is a difficult situation she's in... being expected to shoulder all the costs (funeral and medical) because she's probably the one earning the most money aside from being the eldest.
If you do end up advancing her that much, be prepared not to see a cent of it again, it'll lessen your stress significantly. Consider also how long she needs to pay you back the amount you advance.
Please support our advertisers:
8 months is too much. I think 1 month is reasonable. She's taking advantage of your kindness and generosity.
Please support our advertisers:
crj
18 yrs ago
Paying for the flight and some of the funeral costs is very generous.
Would your boss/company give you an 8 month advance?
Please support our advertisers:
TC
18 yrs ago
And neither would I. From what (little) I know of funeral costs in PH 8 months' salary also seems to be way over the top. There's nothing wrong with her asking but generally I've found people in that situation have no idea of budgeting and the cost (to the lender) of such loans (of course they are expected to be interest-free), and the concept of repayment doesn't exist. Better for them simply to disappear than to repay. I know of many such cases from people who would have been considered 'pillars of the church' before they disappeared with outstanding loans.
Please support our advertisers:
MC
18 yrs ago
I think many people forget that afterall, it is an employment relationship. Cannot imagine any companies would do that for their employees. Usually relationship with DHs are better if you treat it as a employer emplyee one with a slight human touch. My helper's father died a year ago. She went back to handle the arrangments, but paid her own way. I gave her $1000 as a contribution as she has been with me for a very long time (8 yrs). She also advances money but never more than a month's salary and I let her do it since at this point, I would have to pay her a lot if I let her go, so I am covered. Bottom line, do not give her that much money...
Please support our advertisers:
Nuri
18 yrs ago
Does a funeral in Phil cost 8 months HK DH salary??? That is close to HK30,000. How do those who work and live in the Philippines bury their relatives? Taking into consideration that a local manager there has an equivalent of HK1,000 per month? It all just makes me think that your DH is exaggerating with the costs and the sum asked.
Please support our advertisers:
You must be logged in to be able to reply.
Login now
Copy Link
Facebook
Gmail
Mail