Why FDH no need to go through a probation period !

[elliee]

Totally agree with TheBrit. Would add that many labour laws are in place to protect workers who have significantly less bargaining power than employers. Allowing employers to waive these protections if the worker "agrees" undermines the rationale for the law. Some are in a place in life where they are willing to live in a kitchen, but in order to maintain and even enhance rights for all employees minimum standards that cannot be waived need to be set. In the end it isn't just the individual employee who is okay living in the kitchen that is effected. If one employer does it, then someone else will and suddenly the exception becomes the rule and to get a job helpers are stuck accepting sub-legal conditions that the law was designed to prevent.

[Claire ex-ax]

saw online just yesterday some guy in Disco Bay asking "Can anyone refer me a helper? 800' sq ft, Discovery Bay, working couple with 3 year old kid, live in Kitchen, with air conditioning. Most helpers are not happy with the live in kitchen but there is no extra room to let the helper sleep. If you know any good helper that doesn't cares too much about this, please let me know asap. "

its like he doesn't seem to think there is anything wrong with housing a person in his kitchen - hey at least it has ac!

Probably a 2-bedroomed flat so... I'd tell the prospective employers to move their child into THEIR room and let the FDH have the kid's old room. What? No privacy for the employers? I would like to think they'd then get the point but they'd probably just hold out for a desperate helper.

[closedcasket]

Employ a local person.

Locals would not tolerate the exploitation of other locals. That hits too close to home. No one would like their mother, grandmother or daughter to be subjected to the living conditions and treatment of a FDH..

.....thus it has to be a foreigner, not a local.

[closedcasket]

I wouldn't house a helper in the kitchen but, you must realise she probably slept on the floor with 10 other people in a room at home.

Wow, this says a lot about you! Elitist jerk is the word that comes to mind...

[TheBrit]

Elitist jerk is the word that comes to mind...

I would like to be considered as an elitist jerk by pointing out that it is in fact two words.

[elle]

Okay I have some sympathy for the fabricated resume. I think that's probably good grounds for terminating an employment contract.

As for the cooking, if it was an important part of the job then why didn't you ask her to cook you something at the interview stage or at least describe a few meals she can make (the ingredients, the recipe etc).

flameproof, offered the best suggestion... Ask to try her out for a day. I do that before signing an FDH's contract.

I fully agree with that and would like to add:
We all have strengths and weeknesses, so be sure to articulate to your prospective helper what exactly are your priorities. For example, being a trained tailor, I have certain requirements and standards of how my clothes should be ironed. I do not expect my helper to be able to do that, thus she knows not to iron my clothes. She puts extra efford into ironing our bedsheets - would never iron those.
Mr Elle loves to cook, thus for a helper being able to cook was not exactly a priority, so we hired one that came recommended by a colleague of Mr Elle for her excellent cleaning skills. She also works with a vision, so no need to tell her when to do what (I did mention in an earlier post that she has been working for us for 12 years).
We made it very clear, that we are not a bank, so don't even ask for a loan. She can get up to a month's salary advance if needed. She asked for that only once - when she went to the Phlippines for her son's graduation.
When employing a helper I do think it is important to set rules both side can agree to - and then of course for both side to respect and stick to them.

[MovingIn07]

Wow, this says a lot about you! Elitist jerk is the word that comes to mind...

Realistic is the word that sprang to my mind. You appear to have no idea how many Filipinos live in the Filippines. That sharing a bed with many others (not necessarily related) or a floor is considered quite normal to many.

I agree that generally laws are in place to protect employees - but if an employee WILLINGLY agrees to a variation, I object to the law not recognising this. If a DH is happy sleeping on a kitchen floor in Hong Kong rather than sleeping on a kitchen floor in Manila with many others, WHO ARE WE to say they can't? Completely against coersion, but man was born with free will and who are we to remove it.

[Claire ex-ax]

... but man was born with free will and who are we to remove it.

..........

[jimbo]

I don't want to live in a boat moored on Gold Coast, that's my free will

[climber07]

Realistic is the word that sprang to my mind. You appear to have no idea how many Filipinos live in the Filippines. That sharing a bed with many others (not necessarily related) or a floor is considered quite normal to many.

I agree that generally laws are in place to protect employees - but if an employee WILLINGLY agrees to a variation, I object to the law not recognising this. If a DH is happy sleeping on a kitchen floor in Hong Kong rather than sleeping on a kitchen floor in Manila with many others, WHO ARE WE to say they can't? Completely against coersion, but man was born with free will and who are we to remove it.

Did you really just say this with a straight face??? Have you no knowledge of history? labor abuses? You're using free will to justify absuse out of desperation???? Unbelievable!