FAQs

Everything You Need to Know

Ex-Singapore means the worker has prior experience in Singapore. The worker will be available between 1-2 months depending if her passport is ready

Transfer means the worker is currently in Singapore, will be immediately available and you can have a face to face interview with her.

New helper means the worker has never worked in Singapore before. The worker will be available between 1-2 months depending if her passport is ready

A new helper will have a higher language barrier, not be familiar with local practices, might not be able to operate electrical appliances. You must be prepared to hand hold the helper for at least 2-3 months so someone needs to be home most times. However, as the helper has no pre-conceived schedules or habits, it will be easier to get her to do things you prefer. In addition, their salary is lower and usually more flexible with off day arrangements.

a. No of adults
b. No of elderly – Do they require special assistance (toileting, shower, feeding, bringing for medical appointments)
c. No of children and age – Do they require special assistance (dietary restrictions, bringing to school)
d. Size of house – Landed, Apartment
e. Does the helper have own room
f. Do you have pets
g. Do you require the helper to cook
h. Do you require the helper to go grocery shopping independently
i. Do you require helper to speak good English / Mandarin / Dialect

It is important that employers manage their expectations of the domestic helper, as there can be no super maid who will be good at everything. Understanding your priorities will help to shortlist the helpers and also to have an easier transition in the initial months.

  1. The first assessment is if you are comfortable with the helper. This person is going to be living in your house 24/7 for the next 2 years. If there is anything about her that makes you uncomfortable, you might want to consider another helper.
  2. Discuss your job scope and requirements with the helper.
  3. Based on your requirements and priorities, assess if the helper has the right skills and experience. Ask specific questions based on your household needs. Some examples are:

Infant care – how often does baby drink milk and how much each time? How do you prepare a milk bottle? How do you wash a milk bottle? How do you clean poo from the bum (what do you need when changing baby)

Elderly care – Did you have to bring elderly for medical check up (how do you get there)? How do you remember to feed medicine on time and the correct medicine? How often do you change diaper?

General cleaning – How often should you change towels and bedsheets? Tell me what electrical appliance can you use?

Cleaning – List 5 dishes that you can cook. Do you know what is steam, bake, fry (describe the difference)? Where do you find your recipes? How many meals do you cook for employer?

g. Confirm if helper has any medical condition

h. Confirm if worker has any allergies

i. Is she currently taking any medication

j. Has the helper had any surgery

k. Does she get car sick

a. Handphone usage – are you prepared to let the helper hold on to their handphone so that they can communicate easily with you and search for recipes online. On the other hand, there is a chance they might have no control and be on the phone all the time. Set ground rules that they should not use the handphone whilst doing chores, tending to elder and/or children, cooking etc. You might also want to set rules that the helper is not to share videos/photos of the family and house to their friend and/or on social media.

b. Off day – how many days off a month can you do without your helper? The current MOM regulation is that the helper must have 1 day off minimum that cannot be compensated away. What are the timing that you are willing to let the helper go out of the house? A minimum of 8 hours is recommended.

c. Sleep arrangements – will the helper have to share room or they will have their own room

d. CCTV – please disclose to the helper if you are planning to install CCTV in the house

a. Who looks after the helper’s children and/or parents while they are working in Singapore

b. How much of their monthly salary do they expect to send back to their family

  1. If you are a first time employer, you will have to complete the Employer Orientation Programme.
  2. It is mandatory to purchase medical insurance for the domestic helper for a minimum of $15,000 with option to upgrade for a higher coverage. Please do note that under MOM regulations, the employer is liable for medical care of the domestic helper.

MOM requires employers to put up a bond of $5000. When purchasing an insurance, you will also be asked if you would need the following options:

a. Letter of Guarantee means you do not need to give MOM 5K bond right now but if MOM rules to forfeit bond, you have to pay the $5K

b. Waiver of counter indemnity means you do not need to give MOM 5K bond right now but if MOM rules to forfeit bond, insurer pays on your behalf. You might have to pay an excess depending on the insurer

  1. Set house rules on the following:


    a. HP usage – Is helper allowed to hold their handphone during the day?
    i. Yes/No
    If yes, inform the helper not to use the phone when doing housework, caring for children or the elderly
    ii. (Limited to xx hours per day/week)

    b. Off day timing (xx am to xx pm)

    c. Wake up timing

    d. Sleep timing

    e. Afternoon rest (if applicable)

    f. Wifi use

    e.Food consumptiondo you want the helper to share your food or would you prefer to let her cook her own food. Bearing in mind that in the beginning months, new helpers, in particular, will need to adjust to local food as well as the family’s taste preference. This might result in employers thinking that the helper is fussy about food. In addition, whilst some employers think the helper shares the same food, there needs to be clear communication if certain foods (salmon, chicken thigh, premium coffee, yakult) should be not consumed by the helper. As they come from a different background, it should not be automatically assumed that they will know these items are more expensive and not for their consumption.

  2. Set a schedule

    a. Assign specific tasks to specific days of the week or times of the day. For example, kitchen cleaning on Monday mornings, laundry on Wednesday and Friday mornings.

    b. Be flexible to adjust the schedule as needed along the way as the worker settles into the routine

    c. Communicate the schedule to all members of the household

    d. Write down the schedule and make sure that the helper understands it by asking her to repeat it to you

    e. Review the schedule as required to ensure it is working well and that the helper is following it

    f. Be clear about your priorities on things to do and what can be done if there is extra time

    Daily

    i. Wash Toilet (toilet bowl, wipe basin, check toilet paper)

    ii. Vacuum Floor

    iii. Mop Floor

    iv. Prepare breakfast

    v. Prepare lunch

    vi. Prepare dinner

    vii. Wash clothes

    viii. Wash kitchen towels

    ix. Water plants

    x. Boil water

    xi. Wipe kitchen top and stove if cooking

    Twice Weekly

    xiii. Scrub toilet floor and shower area, clean shower screen


    Weekly

    xiii. Change bedsheets

    xiv. Change towels

    xv. Scrub

    xvi. Wash Floor rugs

    xvii. Clean car

    xviii. Wipe oven

    xix. Check for items to be topped up such as groceries, household items etc.

    Fortnightly
    Monthly

    xx. Wipe cabinets, consoles, shelves

    xxi. Clean induction filter

    xxii. Wash vacuum filter

    xxiii. Clean out fridge

    How to communicate with your helper

    g. Use simple words – show at least once how you want it done. Take a video if possible.

    h. If you see a dirty area, tell the helper to clean it again. Try to avoid asking “when did you last clean this”. There will be no answer that can be satisfactory.

    i. Address any issues that bother you at the onset. It gets harder as the habit develops or evolves.

    j. Be as precise and specific when giving instructions. Never assume that the helper will know what to do.

    k. Demonstrate how to use the electrical appliances in your house even for experienced helpers. Appliances vary and the helper might not be familiar with the model in your house.

a. Rooming arrangements for the helper

b. Handphone restrictions

c. Off days per month d. Curfew (if any)

e. Basic salary

f. Will you provide Wi-Fi access