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SINGAPORE: Finding a good domestic helper seems easier said than done these days, at least according to one Singaporean parent, who said all five helpers she has hired over the years ended up leaving her \u201cdisappointed.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n In a post in the SINGAPORE TRANSFER (No Fees\/SD), DIRECT HIRE & NEW HELPER <\/em>Facebook group on Tuesday (July 7), the employer explained that her first helper asked to leave after some time due to \u201cmedical reasons,\u201d while her second helper spent so much time on her phone that \u201cthe plates piled up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The second helper also allegedly kept dozing while carrying her baby.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Her third helper said she needed to return to her home country but assured the employer she would come back. Trusting her, the employer even gave her an advance to cover her expenses back home.<\/span><\/p>\n However, the helper never returned and allegedly ghosted her instead.<\/span><\/p>\n The fourth helper, the employer said, ran into problems with loan sharks. She claimed she paid off the helper\u2019s debt before eventually sending her home.<\/span><\/p>\n As for the fifth helper, the employer alleged that she secretly invited men into the house while she was supposed to be looking after the children. She also described the helper as \u201cdishonest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Reflecting on her experiences, the employer said she found the contrast especially upsetting because she herself had grown up with a helper who became like family.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cI grew up with a very good helper, who took care of me from birth to 6 years old, and we still keep in contact. But now, when I\u2019m a parent, my experiences have been disappointing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n She added that she believes she has always treated her helpers well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI personally treat my helpers well, eat first, eat anything, give a raise, extra allowance during festivals, communicate nicely, celebrate their birthdays.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI know there are great helpers out there. No offence to anyone.\u00a0\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n She then asked, \u201cAny tips on how to find? Is it better to get a transfer helper (filter by reason for being transferred) so you can see the person yourself? But then again, my fourth and fifth helpers were OK initially, but after renewing the contract, then there was a problem.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Netizens quickly chimed in with tips for the post author on how to find a good helper.<\/span><\/p>\n One suggested interviewing helpers in person to gauge their personalities, as well as doing a background check by asking their previous employers about their work ethic.<\/span><\/p>\n They added, \u201cThis worked well for us (and we could afford to pay for experience with a proven track record). Like you, we were after someone who would stay with us for years and be another supportive, caring adult for our children.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Others also said it was important to hire helpers who had \u201ccompleted contracts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThose who keep changing employers after one year are the red flags \u2013 they will ask for an increment at every new employer,\u201d one wrote.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cAlso, look out for profiles in MOM site that say \u2018not available\u2019 in the area that says reason for leaving employment. This usually means theft, loan shark, police case, absconded, pregnant, or disease.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Another advised, \u201cPerhaps look for helpers with a background that suits your household needs? For example, I tend to look for married or divorced helpers with kids to feed, as I understand they are more committed to working honestly here in SG.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOf course, this is not conclusive, just my own opinion. Some singles are good too, so exercise your own judgement.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n In other news, a finance professional earning S$4,000 to S$5,000 a month says they\u2019re caught in a no-win situation at work, claiming their boss keeps piling on extra projects but still refuses to promote them.<\/span><\/p>\n In a post on the r\/SingaporeR subreddit, the worker said their boss frequently asks them to handle additional projects, including tasks that would normally be the boss\u2019s responsibility, insisting it\u2019s necessary if they want to climb the corporate ladder.<\/span><\/p>\n Read more: <\/span>Finance professional earning S$4-5k\/month says boss keeps dumping projects on them but still won\u2019t promote them<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\u201cLook for helpers with a background that suits your household needs\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n