Whether hiring a maid from your trusted agency or recruiting one yourself, keeping her happy and engaged is crucial for long-term success. Communicating openly can help prevent misunderstandings and manage expectations, benefiting everyone.
Treat her as a person, and show that you value her work by paying her fair wages and complying with employment regulations.
Treat her as a person.
Maids are human beings who work hard for you and your family, but they also need to have a sense of fulfillment in their job. Showing that you respect them as persons goes a long way towards creating a healthy relationship and can help them feel more satisfied with their work.
Be open to hearing their concerns and address them calmly, non-confrontational. For instance, if your maid isn’t happy with her current workload, consider reevaluating her duties and granting her more time off.
Also, make her feel special by treating her like a family member, for example, celebrating her birthday and giving her holidays. Also, give her treats when she does a good job. This will motivate her to perform better.
Invest in her education.
Just like a regular employee starting a new job, your maid needs time to adapt to her work environment and employer. To help her become more comfortable with her household, you should be willing to provide the necessary training and direction. This could include learning to speak your family’s native language, cooking specific dishes, or even using a particular household item.
Supporting her efforts to learn is a great way to show that you are committed to your long-term working relationship. Besides, upskilling can add value to her job and enhance the quality of service she provides in your home. It can also be a valuable way for her to gain a better sense of purpose. This is because it shows that you are invested in her career development.
Encourage her to express her feelings.
If your maid is always on her phone while performing household chores, talk to her. Let her know that she can use the telephone only for emergencies and during breaks or on days off.
Encourage her to talk about her life and family with you. Ask her about her experiences and concerns, and be receptive to her opinions even if you disagree.
She may also feel unsettled because of a difficult situation at home, like a natural disaster or a loss in the family, so you must support her emotional well-being. Give her a chance to express herself without judgment, and ensure her basic needs are met. You can also show her affection through subtle gestures like holding hands or quick kisses in public.
Set clear expectations
When hiring a maid, clearly communicate your expectations from the start. This will help prevent misunderstandings and disappointments in the future.
For example, if you prefer certain cleaning products, ensure your provider knows your preference. Also, if areas of your home require extra attention, let them know.
It’s important to understand that maids come from different backgrounds and may carry out tasks differently. It’s important to respect these differences rather than get frustrated when they don’t meet your exact standards. Also, it’s important to show your appreciation for their efforts. A simple verbal compliment or an occasional bonus can go a long way in building a strong relationship.
Be sensitive to her cultural background.
Your maid offers a lot of value to your household. She helps you manage your daily tasks and gives you peace of mind. Hence, building a solid and harmonious working relationship with her is important.
Be sensitive to her cultural background and respect her values and traditions. You can do this by analyzing your worldview and understanding how it affects how you treat other cultures. It also means being open to her suggestions and ideas. If there’s a conflict, address it calmly and non-confrontational to avoid misunderstandings. You can also encourage her to learn during her work. For example, you can motivate her to learn some words in your language, cook specific dishes, or use certain household appliances.
Offer opportunities for personal development.
Like any new hire, maids require patience and time to acclimate to their new workplace. Encourage their efforts by motivating them to learn on the job. This can be anything from learning the words of your family’s native language to cooking specific dishes or mastering a household item.
Providing opportunities for personal growth also increases her productivity and adds value to your home. For example, support their desire to upskill by sending them to workshops or letting them take courses for more experience.
A harmonious and long-term relationship with your maid provides peace of mind and the best possible results for your household. To help you form the right kind of working partnership with your housekeeper, consider these tips from a maid service expert.
Support her emotional well-being.
Like a new job, maids need time to acclimate to their employer and household. They need kindness and patience early, especially when they make mistakes or face challenges.
If she takes her frustration out on the kids or your elderly parents, consider that it may be due to unresolved issues at home. She probably doesn’t want to tell you about these problems because she fears being scolded.
Show her that you care about her emotional well-being by taking an active role. This can be done by asking about her family and life back home, involving her in outings or celebrations with the family, and respecting her privacy. These tips can help you maintain a positive long-term relationship with your maid.