Employers typically seek good domestic workers to take care of their homes or their children or elderly parents in order that the employers can focus on their careers.
But how can employers find a domestic worker with the right work attitude and performance to ensure that they not only pass their three-month probation period, but continue in the job longer-term?
A veteran employment agent says the key, in fact, depends on employers’ attitudes towards their domestic workers.
Cheung Kit-man, chairman of the Hong Kong Employment Agencies Association, shared his experience and know-how in a feature story on employer-maid relationships in Ming Pao Daily.
Speaking from 42 years’ experience as an employment agent, Cheung recommended that employers who want to have a good relationship with their workers to take the initiative and treat their employees kindly and politely.
Cheung said no one is able to do all things perfectly. Thus, employers should ask themselves which task they regard as important and, before hiring domestic workers, prioritize that task, whether it might be taking care of the baby or cooking or cleaning the house.
Only after they decide what kind of workers they are looking for should employers check with interview candidates to see whether they are suited to their needs.
Cheung believed that if the domestic workers like the job they are chosen for, they can perform better.
If treated nicely and given time to adapt to their environment and to the family they are working for, Cheung said most domestic workers are willing to work more.
Cheung advised bosses not to present new employees with over-long task lists or schedules too packed with work to avoid them quitting soon after taking on a new job.
Many domestic workers will appreciate their employers if they are treated in a nice way.
“They only want to work hard and earn money for their own family,” Cheung said.
Cheung also advised employers to work hard at communicating with their employees. Clear explanations, if necessary assisted with photographs, will help workers follow instructions.
“(There is) no need to scold them, which only makes them scared,” Cheung said.
Sometimes, he said, employers might want to explain to their domestic workers the financial difficulties the family are facing so that employees can better understand the situations faced by their employers.
Cheung asserted that only those employers with an open mind and who were prepared to treat their domestic workers kindly could look forward to a good relationship with their employees.
that is true! our moral in life is simple you treat me good and i’ll definitely treat you better.. and if our attitude against to you it is a result of your actions, so if you don’t like blame yourself..
Yes true… .
Very well said mam,hope employers will absorb well your explaination to them
So true,some employers are so cruel to their helper that only a small mistake they will scold and yell immediately . So sometimes we cant perform our work properly because of fear . And to the Agency it is also their duty to explain to their clients and give some tips how to deal a new comer helper.Not only to give the assurance that if the helper cant perform well they will replace another one.That’s why the employer becomes demanding for a perfect job,coz anyway they canget another one
That is true..
Yes that’s really really true. the more we treat us as members
of their families the more we care and give our fully and morally support and services as as own true family to our employers..Just treat as nicely and ask us in a polite way we will do the same in response
Based on my experiences ,employers are treating domestic helpers as lower form of animals….some emoloyers is fond of scolding and shouting their helper,even just a small mistake she will make it too trouble,beside, besides no enough food to.eat… sometimes only eat rice and soysauce. salted shrimp…in.short we a treated harshley..
she’s right!
Absolutely right
this is true it goes the saying threat me good and i treat you better
well said
very well said.
Big check…employer and employee relationship should be based in mutual trust and understanding we are both humans anyway..i am happy working with my boss for 18 years and counting..❤❤❤
It’s really true,,and respect sir!!!!
I’m blessed to have an employer who treat me nice and as a family…thanks to my employer.. Mr. and Mrs.Law…
Well said
yes… so true what u sow is.what u reap
This is so True….
Well said.????????????????
That ‘s right,treat them well and provide the right amount of food to perform the task properly,employers can talk to the helper nicely and with respect for her to understand.