Planning to Retire? Pro-Employer, Pro-FDW Do barking dogs bite? Is your job recession-proof? Importance of Job Reference Shopping for a Good Agency FDW Entrepreneurs After Singapore, what then? Really Single? Stress kills, not work Sacrificing or Sacrificed Overcoming Adversity Make money, lose money strip search One Dollar FDW of the Decade Power - FDW has it, too Help! False prophets Psycho Abuse Suffering in Silence Ads can deceive Standard Contracts Health or Job? Listen with ur eyes How to score at job interview Neither a borrower ..... Part of Family? Why say no when one means yes No trust, no stay Relationship Is the customer always right? Thrifty is not a dirty word Culture Gap Single or Married? Dear FDW Home |
Importance of relationship with employerAs I have mentioned elsewhere, domestic helpers have power, too. But sometimes, especially if a domestic helper is new or less experienced, this power is not enough to ensure that she will not lose her job through thoughtless action or less than ideal behaviour.The typical employer is willing to put up with an FDW who has less skill if she
So if you are new or less experienced, try harder, make yourself useful. Do not give up trying. Employers are not blind and they can see when their domestic helper is trying. For example, Imelda Halili (not her real name) was very nervous at the beginning. She could not cook at all. And she was bewildered by the differences between her own home and her new home. She had no confidence, she was too embarassed to ask questions or to ask for instruction or guidance. However, she did notice that the family was a little untidy. In the living room, just behind the main door, shoes and slippers were strewn all over. She did not know to do, but she decided to keep herself busy, anyway. So she arranged all the shoes neatly, in pairs. Madam was so pleased with the result. Never had that part behind the door looked so neat! When they first met, Madam was quite pleased with Imelda for her cheerful attitude, after this she liked her even more. The first impression is very important. It sets the tone for the next two years. Employer's attitude to her domestic helper is very important. If she is pleased with the domestic helper, she is less likely to be critical of her shortcomings. If she has to check her, she will not use harsh words, but will explain things to her gently. The importance of a good relationship is more apparent if, at a later date, the employer has to leave Singapore or she longer needs the services of the domestic helper. When the domestic helper goes looking for another position the most important question asked will be: "Why are you leaving your employer?" The answer she gives will be more convincing if she can back it up with a testimonial from her employer. A domestic helper with excellent reference will get a job sooner and the salary will, more often than not, be higher. So remember to ask for a written testimonial whenever you leave your job. Oral testimonial is good, but if, for some reason, the domestic loses touch with Madam who moves or goes home, one valuable source of power is lost for good. How strong the recommendation is, depends on how well employer regards her domestic helper and how good their relationship. If you do not like someone, it is difficult to speak warmly of her. By the way, never submit an original reference when you register with an agency. Always submit a photocopy, instead! Even if you think you will never be a domestic helper again, a good reference will still help to find a job in a different position when you go home. |