Building a Healthy Relationship with Your Helper
Hiring a foreign domestic worker (FDW) can bring tremendous support to your household, but the key to building a healthy relationship with your helper lies in mutual respect, clear communication, and effective management. A harmonious relationship ensures that your FDW is happy, motivated, and productive, which benefits the entire household. Whether you are a first-time employer or have had an FDW before, here are some essential tips to guide you through managing your FDW and building a successful partnership.
1. Establish a Clear and Simple Schedule
One of the most important factors in successfully managing your FDW is creating a well-structured daily schedule. A detailed schedule eliminates confusion and miscommunication, helping your FDW organize her tasks and responsibilities efficiently. It also ensures that all household chores, including cleaning, cooking, and caring for family members, are completed on time without stress or last-minute rush.
Having a consistent routine helps your FDW know what’s expected of her and provides a sense of stability, which can boost productivity and allow your FDW to adapt to your household. Furthermore, a good schedule allows for proper time management, ensuring that no tasks are left undone while also preventing an overload of work.
Action Step:
Work together with your FDW to develop a daily or weekly plan that includes her responsibilities. Ensure that it balances her workload with sufficient breaks for rest. Review the schedule regularly and adjust it when necessary to ensure that it remains realistic and balanced. Flexibility is key in maintaining a healthy work environment.
2. Clearly Discuss and Set House Rules
To maintain professionalism and avoid misunderstandings, it’s essential to clearly establish house rules from the very beginning. This includes defining your expectations for household duties, privacy, behavior, and appropriate interactions with family members. For example, if there are specific protocols regarding the use of household appliances, child supervision, or personal time off, these should be clearly communicated.
House rules help set boundaries and allow your FDW to understand the standards she needs to meet. In addition to rules about work performance, address safety and security protocols, such as locking doors and borrowing money from illegal money lenders.
Action Step:
Hold a thorough discussion with your FDW about house rules when building a healthy relationship with your helper early in the employment. Introduce her to key aspects of the household, and ensure she understands the tasks she is responsible for. If there are rules about areas of the home that are off-limits, dietary restrictions, or her off days, explain these clearly. A written list of house rules can serve as a useful reference for both you and your FDW.
3. Conduct Regular Check-ins and Provide Feedback
Maintaining open and consistent communication with your FDW is crucial for building trust and ensuring job satisfaction. Regular check-ins give both you and your FDW the opportunity to discuss work performance, address any concerns, and provide feedback. These check-ins should be a two-way conversation: while you may offer guidance on how tasks can be done better, allow your FDW to express any challenges she may be facing.
This ongoing communication helps identify potential problems early, whether it’s an issue with workload, a personal concern, or difficulties in adjusting to the family’s routine. Addressing these matters in a timely and constructive way fosters a positive working environment and ensures that your FDW feels supported and respected. This is key to building a healthy relationship with your helper.
Action Step:
Set a regular schedule for feedback sessions, whether it’s monthly or biweekly, depending on your household dynamics. These sessions should not be rushed. Create a comfortable environment where both you and your FDW can speak freely. Use this time to discuss her job satisfaction, evaluate whether expectations are being met, and make any necessary adjustments to her duties or schedule.
4. Provide Adequate Space and Rest for Your FDW
Respecting your FDW’s need for personal space and rest is not just about fulfilling legal obligations; it also promotes building a healthy relationship with your helper. Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) mandates that FDWs are entitled to proper living conditions, including a comfortable and private space to sleep, as well as adequate rest and time off.
When your FDW is well-rested and has her own space to rest, she is more likely to perform her duties with greater focus and efficiency. Exhaustion, on the other hand, can lead to mistakes, decreased productivity, and even health issues. Providing personal space and time off demonstrates respect for your FDW as a valued member of your household, contributing to her overall job satisfaction.
Action Step:
Establish clear boundaries between work hours and personal time. Ensure that your FDW has a comfortable sleeping area, whether it’s a private room or a designated space, and that she has enough uninterrupted rest. In addition, make sure your FDW gets her mandatory off day and respect her privacy during this time. Everyone in the household should be aware of and respect these boundaries.
Need Support Managing Your FDW?
Managing a foreign domestic worker comes with its challenges, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you’re new to hiring an FDW or need expert advice on how to manage one effectively, Able Best Employment Agency is here to help. As a leading maid agency in Singapore, we provide personalized support throughout the entire process—from recruitment and documentation to ongoing management tips and guidance.
Our team understands the importance of a positive working relationship between you and your FDW. We’re committed to helping you create a harmonious household by offering tailored solutions that meet your needs.
- Call/WhatsApp: +65 8152 9888
- Email: [email protected]
Let Able Best Employment Agency make your experience with your FDW positive and rewarding. We’re dedicated to ensuring that both employers and FDWs have a smooth and successful partnership.
