Appalling…!!! Unfortunately, this story account isn’t fiction! Such appalling information /news is what was received, on a regular day, through a social media platform geared at normalizing the informal house help sector.
With mixed feelings, the appalling news was received and analysed.
The general consensus on that platform was that there must be boundaries to the Maid/househelp/domestic help and employer relationship.
Boundaries in a maid/domestic househelp Employer ought to have structures in place depending on ages of children that ensures that children aren’t unduly exposed though a domestic help or housekeeper or maid is engaged as a live-in or otherwise.
Boundaries in a home ought to cut across physical, emotional and mental and other humane aspects that allows for checks, balances, safety and security in the home front.
This is not a call to fear or paranoia, but Our children/wards should be guarded against predators or wolves in sheepskin.Parents must set clear boundaries yet leave open lines of communication with children/wards to enable them share unashamedly or unabashedly, with no fear being judged or condemned if unduly exposed.
The following were found to be advisable in consideration as criteria as one sets boundaries at home. I) Priorities – What’s really important to you? Employ someone that genuinely is able to help with setting priorities. [Ask questions that gives an idea of what the person is capable of doing and if it aligns with you need. Remember to stay true to self and never make decisions under pressure]
II) Responsibilities delegation Once priorities are set, then specific responsibilities ought to be set that mirror those priorities- handing over to domestic help, responsibilities that one doesn’t have to be involved with. State it clearly in the most understable way for the domestic help to understand. Anyone ready to serve will be empowered to do so if clear communication is made.
III) Outcome desired: As a result of responsibilities properly stated and delegated, then desired expected outcome is attainable as long as an employer knows what they really want too.
The aforementioned isn’t exhaustive nor are they absolutes. Success can be based on numerous factors such as the context for work to take place, individual differences of employers in relations to domestic employees, collective bargaining of the sector housekeepers, and maids may cause changes
Boundaries are great for all forms of relationship- formal work related, extended family and even the domestic maid one, Yet what should enable and ensure such domestic help and employer relationship: boundaries? We have stated some solutions below :
[ ] Clear policies by an agency or recruitment agent communicated from the onset to the househelp or maid or housekeeper.
[ ] The use of employment forms to garner data from staff and client
[ ] Attached job scope or service scope sheet to form(s) to delineate responsibilities of recruiting agent
[ ] A clearly communicated contract between both parties
[ ] A realistic psychological contract too…
We can’t be certain if the aforementioned solution points would have completely eliminated such an unfortunate occasion described above from happening, especially in the face of differing individuality factors and home contexts. Yet we mustn’t leave things to chance as best as possible.
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