Finding the right maid is a daunting task.
If you ask employers, they will likely say that hiring the ‘right’ maid is often down to luck.
Nonetheless, there is still some due diligence that employers can do to give themselves the best chance of finding the right one.
How? 🤔 The answer is doing background checks.
Doing a comprehensive check will be time-consuming and likely not a feasible option for many employers who are looking to hire maids directly.
To simplify the process of background checking, focus on a few key issues to help you make an informed hiring decision.
Checking the Maid’s Employment History
The Ministry of Manpower’s website allows you to check the maid’s employment history.
Log in with your SingPass and look for any irregularities between what the maid or her agency has told you and the MOM’s records.
If everything is above board, these should be well accounted for.
Take note of any positive or negative reports or referrals from previous employers.
Understanding the Maid’s Transfer History
When hiring a maid, you may find them directly from a previous employer, also known as a transfer maid.
Before hiring, ask her about the previous employer.
The reason might be innocuous, such as an allergy to pets, but it’s crucial to know.
Red flags to look out for include complaints or vague explanations, problems getting along with the family, illness or injury-related reasons, and an unusually short period of employment.
If the employer got retrenched and had to cut back on spending, it’s likely a legitimate reason.
However, if the maid is transferring due to problems with the family or illness, you need to assess whether she’s fully recovered before hiring.
Considering the Maid’s Personal Life
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It’s also important to ask if the maid has young children back home.
If she’s a new mother, consider whether this could affect her emotionally.
Leaving a one or two-year-old toddler behind can be challenging, and you may need to make extra preparations.
This could include allowing her to Skype home or preparing for the possibility of her needing to fly back in an emergency.
Assessing the Maid’s Experience with Families Like Yours
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Describe your household needs and ask the maid for examples of similar situations she’s dealt with.
Give specific details like having an elderly parent who uses a dialysis machine.
Has the maid dealt with something similar?
It doesn’t have to be an exact match, but it’s ideal to find a maid with related experiences.
Ask for practical examples from her previous employment to get a sense of her capabilities.
Understanding the Maid’s Personal Preferences
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Before hiring, state your policy towards your maid’s personal time and ensure she’s okay with it.
This can help avoid friction or unhappiness later on.
Ask what she likes to do during her off-hours to find common ground and understand her personality and preferences.
If it seems like you won’t get along, it’s best to look for another candidate.
Evaluating the Maid’s Culinary Experience
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Cooking is a skill that takes time to acquire, and you may not have the time to teach the maid.
Ask about her culinary experience and whether she can cook the kind of food you prefer.
If not, check if she’s willing to learn new styles of cooking or is adaptable to them.
Remember that the less familiar the maid is with your family’s dining preferences, the more time you’ll need to invest in coaching her.
Identifying the Maid’s Challenges
Ask about the most difficult thing the maid had to deal with in her previous jobs.
This can tell you what she can’t or doesn’t like to deal with.
If she had trouble getting three or four children under control at once, and you have a large family, it’s a red flag.
Look out for any of your household needs that would be a great difficulty for the maid.
Considering the Maid’s Work Schedule
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Some families eat dinner at 6 pm, while others eat at 10.30 pm.
Similarly, people tend to rise at different hours. While your maid will adjust to your timing after a while, it helps to know what she’s used to.
Find out if she’s an early riser or a night owl.
If your lifestyle means coming home late, for example, you should pick a maid used to cooking at 8 pm.
Importance of Maid Background Checks
Conducting a thorough background check is crucial when hiring a maid.
This includes evaluating her criminal record, identity verification, employment history, education, credit check, and driving record if required.
A background check ensures the maid is trustworthy, legal, and suitable for your household’s needs.
When evaluating a maid’s background, it’s essential to be thorough and not miss any critical information.
For peace of mind, hire a maid with a credible maid agency like Bee Lee Maid Agency.
Our professional staff have over a decade of experience working with maids and are experts at conducting background checks.
All that is left is a casual interview with the maid candidate without any worry about all the testing questions.
Of course, employers can feel free to double-check on questions that are important.
Remember, a maid background check is not a one-size-fits-all solution.
The key is to evaluate the maid’s background according to your preferences and household needs.
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