Amidst all the steps taken to manage the Christmas season’s activities in the Nigerian terrain, suddenly an employer is found in many regards to get an unforeseen feedback from a domestic help/maid like this: “I need to go and …” – this claim or that says a Nigerian domestic help/maid… (those things usually cut across saying a mother is ill, brother is ill, father or mother is asking to see her or him or suddenly has passed and so on…)
Although the domestic help/house help/housemaid employment sector is rather informally structured, there seems to be a flow of communication that enables a trend that spreads like wildfire from the east to west and north to south of major metropoles or cities in Nigeria during the yuletide season.
One of them is what we have come to term a sudden massive exodus of these domestic hands back to their homelands-disregarding the expectations, psychological contracts and sometimes written contracts between such domestic hands and an employer. There really isn’t anything wrong with taking time off during the Christmas holidays yet with properly stated plans so an employer prepares properly and isn’t sort of stranded.
So, what should be the best approach to guard against such an occurrence taking place in: Contact agents to begin a contingency or situational replacement plan. Agent in plural form as more than one is advisable for the sake of logical assurance of adequate available options to assess and select from.
Then, pro-actively ask staff what the end of year intentions of staff is rather than just waiting without any upfront discussions or plans. In spite of the agreement made with agents/intermediaries, it’s best to hear from the domestic help directly. As it has never stopped some of them from just walking away blatantly- the irresponsible, non-committed selfish ones in this case. [Please remember that it’s the Nigerian context in focus here] This has left many overwhelmed during the festive period.
Another option is to look for support services such as a cleaning company to render housekeeping services, get someone to assist with some food supplies, laundry services until the festive period is over or a suitable replacement is found.
As repeatedly aforementioned, the context focused on is the Nigerian city life context. If it resonates with your own community or country, please feel free to share details about it and how it is addressed or dealt with.
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