Service Agreement or Contract


A maid can be a great help to busy mothers. But occasionally something goes wrong. A busy working mother's expectation that her maid take care of the children while she is out and give her time to relax when she comes home might not materialise.
 
Super maids are very rare in real life. Sometimes the maid takes advantage of the good nature of the employer who finally loses her patience. Sometimes the maid speaks only Taglish and no English or dialect and drives the employer or granny up the wall. One thing leads to another and the employer of a domestic maid declares that she has had it.
 
When the employment relationship breaks down, it is pointless to apportion blame. Often it takes two hands to clap. The best solution, the common practice, is for the agency give the employer another maid.
 
This is a reasonable solution. But the fun comes when the inevitable arises. Should the employer pay for a replacement for the first maid? Some employers feel that they should not have to pay a single cent citing the practice of some maid agencies that are said to give unlimted "free replacement maids for two years". Perhaps some agencies do give free replacements and fairy tales do come true.
 
Even if some agencies (the more creative ones ) do promise a "free replacement maids for two years" one should not assume that all agencies will do that. Study the terms of the service agreement! Sometimes the replacement is "free, but...." Also, a verbal promise is hard to prove in court, so be sure to have any guarantee stated in writing.
 
What should an employer look for in a service agreement?
  • replacement period should be specified, eg: 90 days from the date the domestic worker starts work
  • The cost of replacement should be clearly stated
    • free - not buts, no suprises or
    • X dollars, period, no additional charges.
  • if the agent quotes a "package" price, then he should furnish the prequisites without additional cost:
    • Letter of Guarantee (by Insurance Company) in lieu of $5,000 in cash
    • Insurance - Hospitalization and Repatriation of Remains
    • Meeting at the airport, Medical Check-up (applicable for new arrivals, not transfer fdw's)

 
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