7 Signs You Need to Replace Maid

1. Signs of child abuse

This one should be a pretty obvious especially if your kid isn't usually afraid of your Nanny and all sudden you don't feel great about leaving your kid with the Nanny. Many websites and Child Protection Services suggest this might be a sign of child abuse.

Learn to spot the signs:

• Your child doesn't seem to be attached to the Nanny.
• Your child has unexplained changes in behaviour - many reputable sources cited; abused children often appear scared, anxious, depressed, withdrawn or more aggressive.
• Your child has unexplained injury - black eyes, bruises, welts, cuts or burns.
• Your child just had too many accidents.
• Your child often appear unkempt, dirty, has body odour.
• Your child is consistently hungry and tired.
• Nanny ignoring child’s needs, putting them in unsupervised, dangerous situations.
• Nanny telling your child "no good", "stupid", "evil".
• Nanny not following your instructions, don't respect your parenting style.
• Nanny shaking or throwing your child.
• Unusual Nanny's behaviour - secretive, less engaged, performing worse at her job, her story just doesn't add up.

Contrastingly, a good Nanny

• Is a good listener.
• Take note of your specific instructions, acknowledge them and act upon them.
• Adapt to your values and parenting style.

2. Signs of elder neglect or personality clash

"Cannot get along with ah ma" is common reason a Caregiver is being let go. There may be which the Employer acted unreasonably or the Caregiver has been negligent in her duties. When you just don't feel right about leaving your elderly parents or loved ones alone with the Caregiver, it's probably time to find replacement. It might be a sign of elder neglect or a mismatch.

Learn to spot the signs:

• Your elder unreasonably harsh with the Caregiver.
• Your elder often unsatisfied, nag, yell and scold the Caregiver.
• Your elder complained about feeling pain.
• Unexplained signs of injury: bruises, welts, scars or burns on the elderly or the Caregiver.
• Unusual elder's behaviour - anxious around the Caregiver, a behaviour that mimics dementia, such as rocking, sucking or mumbling to themselves.
• Unusual Caregiver's behaviour - threatening, controlling, not following your requests.
• Unsanitary living conditions: dirt, bugs, soiled bedding and clothes.
• You feel the atmosphere in the house is tensed, e.g, the Caregiver and family are avoiding each other.

3. Maid gives bad impressions on her first day, first week, first month

First impressions matter, especially on job interviews and the initial period into our new job as it help us land a job and to keep the job. This is no exceptional to foreign Maids. When the Maid did not try to impress you despite all efforts to retain her, she's either stressed or simply lack the will to work for you then it's time to let her go.

Learn to spot the signs:

• Show no interest to learn her duties during the initial period.
• Show no willingness to work.
• Show unpleasant attitude.
• Regularly stay in her room, rest area or at a corner.
• Waiting to be told.
• Needed a reminder for most duties.

Contrastingly, a Maid trying to make a good impression:

• Display good attitude, use her manner.
• Bring in own initiatives that create value.
• Hardworking, there is always work around the house.

4. Maid repeatedly violate house rules

Ground rules or house rules exist to prevent unnecessary mismatch and conflicts. Generally, Employers prepare a rough list to help screening candidates during interview. This list can go in detailed during the first few days upon Maid's arrival. It's not recommended for Employers to add new rules after a contract is made as it may cause dissatisfaction and mismatch of expectations in any way.

In the case of Maid repeatedly and deliberately break the rule that is crucial to you, then it's time to let her go as she is no longer a good match and not able to keep up to your original requirements.

5. Maid's bad attitude is getting worse

The Maid is hired for the right attitude as much as for her skills and experience for the job. When you confront Maids about a behaviour or performance issue, most will react by trying to get better as she wants to keep the job. On the other hand, if you find her attitude is worsening over time and leaving you feeling annoyed, hostile and unacceptable, then it’s wise to cut the string.

Learn to spot the signs:

• Bad attitudes. Eg, Rude, angry, act like your boss, no courtesy.
• Outright defiance and disrespect. Eg, Not calling you madam or sir.
• Rebellious. Eg, Raised her voice over time, refuse to obey your reasonable orders, talk-back, lies.
• Foul mood. Eg, Become angry or violent very suddenly and easily.
• Less engaged. Eg, Walk away from you, or not keen to have a small talk.
• Show no remorse after repeatedly breaking the rules.
• Is more active on the phone.
• Maid requested to transfer to another Employer when you start to give your feedback.
• Missing in action and spending more time to herself. Eg, Locked in her room, grocery shopping takes longer.

6. Maid's productivity drop

To be fair, there are times when productivity can decrease. Sometimes a household become larger. It just means that they're overwhelmed and you need to step in to help.

However, if she's been in the family for a long period and you feel her productivity is dropping, it could be a sign that a Maid's love for their work has gone, or there are other issues at play. Most Employers speak to Maid, but if time has dragged on without change, it may be time to let go.

Learn to spot the signs:

• The frequency of room, toilet and floor cleaning become lesser over time.
• The laundry has piled up.
• You hear more and more excuses when chores were not done.
• Spend more time in her own space.
• Bored of the routined job.
• Is less interested in advancement.
• Often cook same dishes with little variation.
• Missing her family more and more.

7. Maid commited an offense

There are things in life, which should never be given second chances such as abuse and offences against children, elderly parent, any human being and animal cruelty. Stay calm, gather evidences as much as you could, and report to the authorities. MOM treats each report seriously and will take appropriate action based on the facts. Any Maid convicted of offences under the EFMA regulations or Singapore criminal offences will be barred permanently from working in Singapore. This prevents the transfer of foreign Helpers with bad track records within the industry.

Examples:

• Child abuse, Elderly abuse.
• Maid behaved irresponsibly.
• Maid takes on a part time work.
• Stealing.
• Other EFMA rules.

To report an infringement, you may do the following:

• Using MOM online form.
• Email to mom_fmmd@mom.gov.sg.
• Visit MOM Services Centre – Hall A
  1500 Bendemeer Road
  Singapore 339946 .

In cases where it's a minor offense, or you are not sure if it's an offense, you may contact your Agency. In addition to Agency's support, you may also consider contacting the non-governmental organisation for advisory services.

• Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE), provides free Advisory services on employment matters, free legal clinics (through partners).
• FAST, provides free legal clinics by Volunteer Lawyers, free mediation service by accredited Volunteer Mediators.