Confronting a house helper
By mimico
@mimico (3617)
Philippines
July 4, 2008 8:55am CST
In the Philippines, it isn't unusual to employ house helpers to help out with the chores. Anyway, it's also not unusual for these helpers to be 'disloyal' to us. For instance, I sometimes catch the 'maids' rifling through my stuff. Others have the unpleasant experience of seeing the helpers wear their own clothes! Just this evening, my brother caught one of the maids eating our food! We normally give the helpers food of their own because sometimes they don't like our food (we have Chinese), so it is already considered bad behavior for them to be eating the family food. Just like before, we walk by without really confronting the helpers about this. Is it right? Or do we need to show who is really boss? What would you have done?
4 responses
@neildc (17238)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
5 Jul 08
I think it is not good to deprive the helpers of good food and I guess you are not. But these helpers should be aware of the situations, the are in our house to help not to give more problems to the boss. You show who's the boss but please, they are humans too. Treat them good also...
@dhangski (3194)
• Philippines
4 Jul 08
I had this kind of experience with house helpers before. There were times that they got very abusive if you are good to them. I suggest that you talk to them, tell them whats their role in your house. Telling them what you really feel will be a great help for them to understand that what they've done is wrong. I do that with the past house helpers that has been with me. Good luck. HUGZ.
@eden32 (3973)
• United States
4 Jul 08
I think you need to ask yourself if you treat your help fairly and with dignity and then ask if the person you hired is right for the job. Going through your personal stuff, wearing your things, that sounds like the actions of someone who's too immature to be doing that job. Eating the family's food though feels different to me. While I respect what you're saying, that you provide certain food for the worker & your food should be off limits. Perhaps she thought you were planning on throwing it away & didn't want to see it wasted? Or perhaps she misunderstood which food was intended for her?
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
4 Jul 08
I think I would have said something, and told them if they're caught again they will be relieved of their duties. It is not fair that you pay them and feed them but they still steal from you.
