Guidelines for your new helper
Below is a copy of some "work guidelines" that one of our new employers wrote for their new helper. It is a good example of what to do. Rather than giving 10 pages of instructions, the employer sets the standards, and allows the employee flexibility in achieving these standards. After the helper starts her new job, the employer will certainly clarify, begin "fleshing out" the job description, and tell the helper that some methods of achieving these goals are better than others, and some are not acceptable to them at all. These guidelines clearly let the helper know what the employer's focus and priority is. In this case, the employer and employee are both Christians, so the guidelines are written with that in mind. You should not copy another person's guideline, but rather talk to your family members and develop one that reflects your priorities and values. It will work well, if like this one, you keep it simple and focused.
I've edited just enough to protect the identity of the helper and the employer. The employer graciously gave me permission to use their guidelines with the hope that others will find them useful.
** Welcome to our family! **
*~* Job Duty = General Description *~*
- Marketing: Do the grocery shopping in food market or supermarket
- Meal preparation: Cooking, dish washing (post meal clean-up), & garbage dumping
- House cleaning
- Laundering and ironing
- Taking care of and playing with the child
- Other (miscellaneous work) // Car washing
*~* Our Expectations *~*
- to have a clean, dry, hygienic, neat, joyful & thankful home.
- to have a domestic helper who is obedient, willing to learn and to improve.
*~* Our Priority *~*
- The Almighty GOD, our son, and ourselves
*~* Pay special attention to *~*
- Our son is very sensitive to any noise during his sleep, therefore when he is sleeping, we all try not to make any noise, let him have good sleep every time.
- Our son is a very active boy, therefore when you take care of him, you do not need to do other household work, just accompany and play with him.
- When we discipline our son, please just pay NO attention to him. (ie: do not look at him, do not talk to him …) (ie: you just keep doing whatever you are doing, or keep going wherever you are going).
- You do not need to answer any incoming call, because our family members do not speak English. Thank you.
*~* About us *~*
- We are Christians, therefore we prayed, asking God to give us a Christian domestic helper, so we could pray and praise the LORD together.
- We are joyful, easy-going and open-minded persons. Of course, we also have our weaknesses. Therefore, we pray that we could grow together in HIM, and give thanks to HIM for each other.
** If you have any question or any problem about anything, just feel free to let us know!
** Hope you enjoy the time together with us! May GOD Bless you!
Your new employers.
Allan Smith