KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

Hi,

My current maid is with me for four months, recently she told me her ex employer is giving her money, about $10 to $20 each time which she will collect during her off days. This happened for about 3 times already.

She told me that their maid has ran off and asked her if she wants to go back to them, my maid turned them down.

But should I be worried?

It certainly seems like your maid's ex-employer is trying to entice her back. If your maid had a good working relationship with her ex-employer, then yes there's every likelihood that she may be tempted to go back. It could also be that your maid is trying to give you hints that you'd better value her bec she has a ready employer at hand.

You mean the need to outbid the ex employer?

It could be her ex employer trying to poach her, or your maid could be just using this as an excuse to explain why she has extra money with her.

Do you keep her money or allow her to keep her own money?

She keeps her own money, she told me that her employer's son is a bad person, unemployed and always sexual harass her. He is in his 30. I'm quite sure she will not want to work for them, but feels quite disturb about it. She's a good maid.I think i have to trust her already cos I can't stop the ex employer from giving her money.

You have to decide whether you want to just leave things as they are or whether you want to speak to the ex-employer and find out what her intentions are.

The fact that your maid told you suggests that she is being straight with you and maybe she feels uncomfortable about the situation.

If it were me I would make it clear to my maid that I would be very disappointed if she broke her contract and went back to the ex-employer and also advise her to be careful in terms of her relationship with the ex-employer. Then I would just leave it.

Your described maid situation sounds strange and suspicious.

Why is your maid meeting her ex employers (with a son that always sexually harassed her) on her off days collecting money (for nothing done on her part)? Is she cleaning their house on her off days?

Yeah, it's a bit suspicious - if CNY get an angpow or first time visitation get a small token $$ is normal, but if continously get $$ it's suspicious. Maybe you (and the maid!) should question why the ex-employer keeps on giving her money?

I think there may be merit in an open discussion. Why does she think she keep on getting money? Does she think grass is greener the other side? If no then close topic. If yes then there may be financial consequences for the transfer as agents charges up to 4 mths' pay.

She should not take the money from her ex-employer w/o any valid reason?

One time payment as gratuity but definately not monthly allowance?

rainrain wrote:Hi,

My current maid is with me for four months, recently she told me her ex employer is giving her money, about $10 to $20 each time which she will collect during her off days. This happened for about 3 times already.

She told me that their maid has ran off and asked her if she wants to go back to them, my maid turned them down.

But should I be worried?

Sound quite strange to me. Why didn't the ex employer renew her contract in the first place? Maybe she is working part time on her off day. Very unlikely for her ex employee to give her money. Maybe you can call the agent regards to this matter.