Life has builders and bulldozers. Builders are optimistic, supportive and treat everyone around them with kindness. Bulldozers tear others down, use negative critical words and harsh judgements to make others feel inadequate. What kind of employer are you? The way we treat domestic workers sends signals to our children on the ethics we live by. You are indeed the boss and you should treat them in a way you would like your boss to treat you.
How should you manage your domestic workers?
The art of communicationMake time to have regular communication with your domestic worker by finding at least 10 minutes a week to sit and talk about the relationship and how things are going. Don’t break the momentum of getting to know them by allowing silence. Talk as often as practicable and give your feedback so that your worker knows whether they have done a good job or not and if there is anything to improve on. The tone of any negative feedback should be carefully guided.
Incentivise for good work and avoid shock wage deductionsDiscuss wages at the onset with detailed clear expectations. Get as lucid as possible on any carrots and sticks that you may want to blend the contract with. The employment contract will be a key instrument in reference to any action. No shudders on pay day, they need to plan with their earnings.
Reward for good work is a motivator. Figure out what makes them feel most appreciated, be it an extra day off or cash. Ordinarily everyone responds positively to incentives.
Rules and boundaries
Communicate rules to your worker. You may not want to compromise on your bedroom privacy by uninvited access, or freedom of access by all and sundry to your home in the name of your helper’s friends visiting. They are however equally social beings, get the right balance.
Set boundaries and remember to respect these boundaries as well. Avoid interfering with the workers tasks unnecessarily.
Respect the time-table of tasks. Unplanned recurrent overtime working demotivates, but should these unforeseen circumstances present themselves be sure to compensate and remunerate accordingly. The law has its place on the rights of your worker. Keep that trouble away from your door knob!
Freedom and the Rule of the mobile-phone
Allow domestic workers to leave the home where necessary. They also look forward to taking a walk on a nice day, make friends and enjoy company of others. Human beings are blessed with insatiable curiosity to know what’s happening in the surrounding! Healthy social balanced life is a component of life.
Use of phones has caused conflicts between workers and employers. Some employers even resort to confiscating the phones to prevent use. There is a tricky balance here as you may not wish to have the mobile phone compete for attention with your baby or old parent and yet communication and freedom to do so isn’t a preserve others other than your worker. Have fun and keep your workers confident and dependable.