KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

G'd Morning all,

i got a question from my DH last night asking if we had underpaid our maid. after thinking, maybe i did?

my maid was a transferred maid from one of my frd to me due to some problems which is not related to my maid. she worked for my frd for 8 months (meaning she had cleared her loan with her 1st employer before coming to me) before coming to me in Oct 2009. after working for me 6 months, I find that she is very hardworking and attitude was good too so i increased her pay $20, from $350 to $370. i also allow her to go to church every sunday from 1pm -5pm.

i got 2 kids (6 and 9)who are old enough to shower and eat by themselves, so most of her time, she is doing housework and cooking plus sending my DD to school. DS is taking school bus. i would say she is not very busy in the day time. she is allow to watch TV in the late evenign with the kids or herself. and i do not disturb her unnecessary. On weekends (we go out almost all weekend), she is free to choose if she wants to follow or not, most of the time, she rather stay at home. meaning she is free to do her own stuff as no one is home.

In march 2011, (working for me less than 2 yrs, i allow her to go back to philippines in march for 3 weeks to see her family). had given her extra $200 as a "bonus".
when she came back from her home leave, i increased her pay to $420 till now.
i understand that current new maids are also drawing ard $420. are we employers supposed to match that and pay the old-timers more?
i do not wish to short-change her but i felt uncomfortable of giving her a huge pay jump withing a short time, as i am afraid i will need to do the same for her next pay increase.

anyone can advise me on this?

I think you've been good to her. You've increased her salary from $350 to $420 in less than 2 years and her workload isn't that heavy. If she's a gem you should reward her but maybe take it a little slower because she might start to expect it.

i think $420 is fair enough. I am paying my new maid (with me for 10 mths), also a very hard working and good maid $420.00. She is very happy with what she is getting now. Her work load is more heavier than your maid.

jtoh wrote:I think you've been good to her. You've increased her salary from $350 to $420 in less than 2 years and her workload isn't that heavy. If she's a gem you should reward her but maybe take it a little slower because she might start to expect it.

ya, DH and in intend to increase hers to $450 next month but i wasnt sure if this is the right time to do it. is it too fast?
and also i know she may have already heard of the new maids salary.
it is natural for her to feel uncomfortable ( we are all human mah).

i am thinking when will be a good time to increase her pay and how much is appropriate..

Anna Ng wrote:i think $420 is fair enough. I am paying my new maid (with me for 10 mths), also a very hard working and good maid $420.00. She is very happy with what she is getting now. Her work load is more heavier than your maid.

thks, ok, then i am not short-changing her
i will discuss again with my DH

btw, i was wondering if there is a "ceiling" for maid salary?

hi chloecube,

I think you're paying her a fair amount. If you feel uncomfy, why don't sit down and talk to her to ask if she feels she's getting a fair amount. And if she feels shortchanged, explain that this increment spurt is not going to last forever, unless you guys want to.

At the end of the day, if you feel bad about it, start a bonus pool for her. When she goes on home leave, you can hand that amount to her and pat her on the back for a job well done.

hquek wrote:hi chloecube,

I think you're paying her a fair amount. If you feel uncomfy, why don't sit down and talk to her to ask if she feels she's getting a fair amount. And if she feels shortchanged, explain that this increment spurt is not going to last forever, unless you guys want to.

At the end of the day, if you feel bad about it, start a bonus pool for her. When she goes on home leave, you can hand that amount to her and pat her on the back for a job well done.

yes, your suggestion is good.
i will find time to talk to her nearer to her pay day next month and see what she has to say.

what i felt is, no doubt she is a good maid, but there is also a budget for me. if i have to pay so much to have a maid (even if she is good), i dun think i can afford. unless i am very rich lah

not forgetting abt the levy we have to pay on top on the maid's salary
her food and accomodation, air-fare, medical, etc...
its not cheap to have a maid, and yet i cant do w/o one now

From what I understand of philipinos, Dec is a major major thing for them. So if you really want to buy her heart, arrange for her next home leave to coincide with xmas period - if she's the generic type, she'll love you to bits (but airfare will be a bit pricier).

hmm, I thought you were being very very generous with her. Actually to me, if she's worth it, I won't mind also. The main fear is whether she will grow to expect this kind of increment and treatment. Personally I will try to ensure sustainability in how I treat her.

hquek wrote:From what I understand of philipinos, Dec is a major major thing for them. So if you really want to buy her heart, arrange for her next home leave to coincide with xmas period - if she's the generic type, she'll love you to bits (but airfare will be a bit pricier).

hmm, I thought you were being very very generous with her. Actually to me, if she's worth it, I won't mind also. The main fear is whether she will grow to expect this kind of increment and treatment. Personally I will try to ensure sustainability in how I treat her.

i did ask if she wants to go back during dec holiday, but she said she will stay till march before going back to save on air-fare.
shall see how for her next home leave.

my fear is the same as yours, i do not mind to increase her pay if she is worth paying, but do not wish for her to expect that it is a "must" for us to do this on a reguarly basis.

The maids are all well aware of changes in phils law and changes on base salaries for new maids. Just ask yourself how you'd feel if all new college grads joining your company were getting paid a starting wage that was same as your salary.. Now imagine there was a shortage in yr industry and if you changed jobs you'd get paid more for your experience...

No matter how much they like you, the maids will look for new job at higher market rate when their contract is over. They are here to save $ for home and love their kids more than their boss.. Makes sense to go where they can earn more for their kids. So better to do what it takes so they a. Don't feel resentful and b. Want to renew.

Its a good suggestion, given earlier, to have a talk and ask what your maids thoughts are. You may find out that giving a proper day off each week would help. You would want one from your job, right?

In short, treat your maid, who is yr employee, as you would expect to be treated as an employee.

Good luck!