KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

Posted: **Thu Nov 08, 2012 1:13 pm**

So if we hire helper before the year ends can still negotiate the off days with helper but come 2013 compulsory? Meaning must auto pay in lieu of off days.

If helper hired next year, she can report employer to MOM if compulsory off days not granted?

Posted: **Thu Nov 08, 2012 1:32 pm**

Dawnie wrote:
buds wrote:
orlandospito30 wrote:My maid dont go out at all. and I compensate her by paying her more. I rather she work at home then mix with those maid at town and learn stupid tricks and use it against us
A friend of mine has a helper who doesn't want off day (to go out) too, but just wants Facebook. My friend and hubby was more than happy to oblige. Her hubby even bought the helper a cheap phone with wifi and let the helper do just that on her day off. Good at cleaning and giving basic care for the kids but still working on the cooking bit. 4th month now.

Not all employers are comfortable with helper having a mobile phone plus Facebook time, but so far quite a handful of frenz or relatives with helpers that I personally know don't mind this arrangement.

Would like to hear your thoughts.

No weekly off. Only Facebook time.
My Filipino maid have 1 off day a month. She has a facebook account, and usually access it via her HP at night after we retire to our bedrooms. I will retire to my bedroom at 8PM, she will go to her own bedroom too. I do not allow her to close the door when she sleeps. Sometimes, I passby her bedroom past midnight, she is still using her HP. I accessed her FB and found that she have posting at different timings throughout the day. So that would mean that whenever she is out of my sight, or if she is in the bathroom, she uses her HP. Now she even block me from her FB. It's not a wise thing to allow your maid to use Facebook, they will abuse it.

Just my personal view, but I don't think you should stop her from closing the door when she sleeps especially if there are any men in the house. She has a right to privacy.

Re FB, yes some of them will abuse it but they can also waste time SMSing, talking to the maid next-door etc. You have to ask yourself (honestly) if you ever spent time surfing the net during working hours, go off for coffee with a colleague, take a slightly longer lunch break.....no-one is perfect ;-)

I don't blame her for blocking you from her FB account - I rarely accept anyone from my office as a FB friend and if I do they will have restricted access.

Posted: **Thu Nov 08, 2012 1:33 pm**

buds wrote:So if we hire helper before the year ends can still negotiate the off days with helper but come 2013 compulsory? Meaning must auto pay in lieu of off days.

If helper hired next year, she can report employer to MOM if compulsory off days not granted?

Exactly!

Posted: **Thu Nov 08, 2012 1:43 pm**

I thought still can pay off in lieu if helper agrees to the arrangement?

Posted: **Thu Nov 08, 2012 1:50 pm**

Funz wrote:I thought still can pay off in lieu if helper agrees to the arrangement?

Yes, I think that's what buds means by "Meaning must auto pay in lieu of off days."

If she doesn't take the days off you must compensate and she must agree to it - you cannot force her to not take them.

Posted: **Thu Nov 08, 2012 1:50 pm**

Funz wrote:I thought still can pay off in lieu if helper agrees to the arrangement?

You are right Funz!

According to the MOM latest publication of INFORM, from Jan next year, either "compensate you at least one day's wage on top of your monthly salary or request that you take your rest day on another day but it should be within the same month" quote unquote.

Posted: **Thu Nov 08, 2012 1:57 pm**

My new transfer maid requested for 2 off days a month. Previously our maids did not have off days.

After almost 3 months with us, DH and I actually welcome the time alone with the kiddos.

On Sundays, DH takes the elder one for class and lunch. It is their time to bond first half of the day, while I take care of the younger one. I appreciate this one to one time with the younger one cuz the elder one clamors for my attention during the weekdays.

I also appreciate the fact that my DH takes the effort to help out, knowing that he works long and hard during the weekdays and looks forward to just chilling out on Sundays.

Posted: **Thu Nov 08, 2012 2:07 pm**

nms1 wrote:
Funz wrote:I thought still can pay off in lieu if helper agrees to the arrangement?
Yes, I think that's what buds means by "Meaning must auto pay in lieu of off days."

If she doesn't take the days off you must compensate and she must agree to it - you cannot force her to not take them.

Yes, nms1... you read me correctly.

This also means that employer also cannot force them "not to" take their off days come 2013?

Posted: **Thu Nov 08, 2012 2:10 pm**

nms1 wrote:
Dawnie wrote:
buds wrote:A friend of mine has a helper who doesn't want off day (to go out) too, but just wants Facebook. My friend and hubby was more than happy to oblige. Her hubby even bought the helper a cheap phone with wifi and let the helper do just that on her day off. Good at cleaning and giving basic care for the kids but still working on the cooking bit. 4th month now.

Not all employers are comfortable with helper having a mobile phone plus Facebook time, but so far quite a handful of frenz or relatives with helpers that I personally know don't mind this arrangement.

Would like to hear your thoughts.

No weekly off. Only Facebook time.
My Filipino maid have 1 off day a month. She has a facebook account, and usually access it via her HP at night after we retire to our bedrooms. I will retire to my bedroom at 8PM, she will go to her own bedroom too. I do not allow her to close the door when she sleeps. Sometimes, I passby her bedroom past midnight, she is still using her HP. I accessed her FB and found that she have posting at different timings throughout the day. So that would mean that whenever she is out of my sight, or if she is in the bathroom, she uses her HP. Now she even block me from her FB. It's not a wise thing to allow your maid to use Facebook, they will abuse it.
Just my personal view, but I don't think you should stop her from closing the door when she sleeps especially if there are any men in the house. She has a right to privacy.

Re FB, yes some of them will abuse it but they can also waste time SMSing, talking to the maid next-door etc. You have to ask yourself (honestly) if you ever spent time surfing the net during working hours, go off for coffee with a colleague, take a slightly longer lunch break.....no-one is perfect ;-)

I don't blame her for blocking you from her FB account - I rarely accept anyone from my office as a FB friend and if I do they will have restricted access.

Agree with nms1 about :

1. Closing the door (if helper has own room) during naps or sleeping hours
2. Helper not obliged to add employer to their FB account

I wouldn't wanna add my boss or all of my colleagues. Heck, i won't even add my MIL.

Posted: **Thu Nov 08, 2012 2:24 pm**

Oh, I didn't state clearly in my earlier post. My maid shares the room with my little boy, so it is a definite NO NO to close the door. As for FB, I didn't add her, but she block me so that I can't even do a search to locate her in FB. Not that I want to read her postings, but I just want to make sure she doesn't post my boy's pic on her FB anymore (I warned her not to do that before). I do not oppose my maid having FB, but she is always so tired in the day time. She retire into the bedroom at 8PM but does not sleep until wee hours, then she needs to wake up by 6:30AM everyday. If I am her, I wouldn't have any energy to work at all.

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