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SINGAPORE: An employer has claimed she fired her third helper just four days after she arrived, after realising that the skills listed on her profile did not match reality. She alleged the helper couldn\u2019t cook, couldn\u2019t do basic housework, and even struggled to communicate despite claiming to speak Mandarin and English. <\/span><\/p>\n Sharing her experience in the SINGAPORE TRANSFER (No Fees\/SD), DIRECT HIRE & NEW HELPER <\/em>Facebook group on Sunday (June 28), the employer called the brief employment stint the \u201cworst nightmare\u201d she had ever experienced.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt was the worst nightmare\u2026[The helper] claimed she could speak Mandarin and English, but once she started work, she could barely communicate or understand simple instructions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>She couldn\u2019t cook, couldn\u2019t do basic housework properly, and didn\u2019t even know how to fold clothes or make a bed<\/span>,\u201d the employer wrote. \u201cOut of curiosity, I asked her to cook something. She replied that she only knew how to cook for herself. So I gave her money and asked her to buy whatever ingredients she needed to show me what she could cook.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The helper allegedly came back with just a pack of hot dogs.<\/span><\/p>\n The employer said she was stunned, but what happened next surprised her even more.<\/span><\/p>\n According to her, the helper chopped the hot dogs into pieces and put them into the rice cooker together with the rice.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cShe didn\u2019t even want to use the stove.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The employer said several other things bothered her during those four days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n She claimed the helper insisted on addressing her as \u201cJie,\u201d meaning \u201colder sister,\u201d despite being told to simply call her \u201cMdm,\u201d as her previous helpers had done.<\/span><\/p>\n She also said the helper wore long dresses while doing household chores.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI asked her how she washed the toilets and mopped the floor when her dress was still completely dry. She simply ignored my question.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The employer said the incident that alarmed her the most happened when she left her daughter under the helper\u2019s care.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhen I went out, I asked her to look after my daughter. Instead, she hid in her room with the door closed. When my daughter called for her, she didn\u2019t respond at all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The employer said she rushed home as soon as she found out what had happened.<\/span><\/p>\n She also alleged that throughout the four days, the helper never apologised for her mistakes, rarely greeted the family, and showed little initiative at work.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIf I were to continue describing her working attitude, one post wouldn\u2019t be enough.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Thankfully, she said, the agency reviewed the videos and recordings she had provided and agreed to refund her.<\/span><\/p>\n The employer said she has since hired another helper who, according to her, has been the complete opposite of the previous one.<\/span><\/p>\n She shared that her fourth helper is cheerful, takes instructions seriously, has a positive attitude, and always greets the family with a smile.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThat simple gesture really warms our hearts,\u201d she wrote. \u201cI sincerely hope this journey will last.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Despite the disappointing experience, the employer said she still believes in treating domestic helpers with kindness and respect.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve always believed that if we treat our helpers like family, they will eventually appreciate us,\u201d she wrote. \u201cAlthough some of my previous helpers took me for granted or were ungrateful, I never let those experiences change who I am.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n She added that she doesn\u2019t expect perfection and is happy to be patient with helpers who are willing to learn and put in the effort.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAs long as they are willing to learn, have a good attitude, and genuinely try their best, I don\u2019t mind if they are slower in picking things up. I deeply appreciate every helper who has sincerely helped my family, even if some of their good attitudes only lasted for six months.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n She also stressed that her experience should not be taken as a reflection of all helpers from Myanmar.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNot every Myanmar helper is a \u2018princess\u2019. There are still many who come here with the right mindset and are willing to work hard.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Ending her post with a message of appreciation, she wrote: \u201cTo all the good and hardworking helpers out there, thank you. You are truly gems, and I hope more employers will cherish and appreciate you too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The post struck a chord with many employers, with several saying they had gone through similar experiences and knew exactly how the employer felt.<\/span><\/p>\n One commenter said they were currently dealing with the same situation. They claimed their Myanmar helper (whom they referred to as a \u2018Princess\u2019) constantly refused to eat and always told them she had no \u201cenergy to do work.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When they asked why she had come to Singapore to work as a helper if she wasn\u2019t willing to do the job, the helper simply \u201csmiled.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Another shared that they had thought they were the only one facing repeated problems when hiring helpers.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI thought I was alone in facing these spate of woes on hiring and changing helpers. I am now at helper number 5 as number 4 didn\u2019t pass her medical. She strangely passed in Indonesia but failed in Singapore. I have now \u2018hit\u2019 my quota of hire change for the year.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n A third wrote, \u201cI hope to have good luck with my fourth helper too. Now currently with my third \u2018princess\u2019 helper. Trying to see how long I can endure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Meanwhile, a fourth added, \u201cTreat them like employees. Be fair to each newcomer, but always take precautions to protect your family. Your family must always come first. They should never come second to being \u2018woke.\u2019\u201d\/TISG<\/span><\/p>\n Read also: <\/span>\u2018I finally had my \u201ca job is just a job\u201d moment\u2019: Singaporean reflects on workplace disappointment<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\nOther habits that raised concerns<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u2018I had to rush home\u2019<\/span><\/h2>\n
She found another helper<\/span><\/h2>\n
Ending on a positive note<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u2018I thought I was alone\u2019<\/span><\/h2>\n