How to talk to your helper

Written By Allan Smith

What are the best ways to talk to your helper?

Talk to your helper regularly. 

Set a weekly time to talk to your helper. Take 10 - 30 minutes max once a week to sit down together and talk. When your helper first arrives at your house, tell her that you will have a weekly chat to go over the past and upcoming week. Make it a priority and don’t go overtime. Possible times might be Saturday morning before the day gets busy or Saturday evening after the kids are in bed. Sit down together at the table and have a good chat.


Ask her for feedback

“How are you feeling about your current tasks and responsibilities?”

“What challenges are you facing, and how can I help?”

“Do you have any feedback for me regarding our household dynamics?”

“Is there anything you feel is hindering your performance or job satisfaction?”


Go over your top concerns

Share with her your top 1-2 concerns: areas where you really need her to do well. Let her know what “doing well” would look like from your point of view, e.g. “I need the kids to be fed, bathed and ready for bed by 8 p.m.”. 
If you find yourself giving negative feedback, be sure you, at minimum, express confidence in her: “I know this is a big adjustment, but I know you will be able to cope up to our Hong Kong way of doing things. Just keep on getting better and better.”


Go over the schedule for the coming week

Remind your helper of important events in your family, such as tutorial classes, after school activities, etc. 

Benefits

By taking just a few minutes every week to communicate with your helper you will:

  • Build a stronger relationship of trust with her

  • Help her grow in her confidence and ability 

  • Gather important feedback that will help you lead your family

  • Cause your helper to feel like she is an important part of your family

  • Keep your helper for more than one contract. Filipinos value a good relationship with their bosses more than money. If you establish healthy communication with her she will be loyal to you. 

I hope you found this helpful. If so, please talk to us! Leave a comment. 

Allan Smith

Allan Smith is the owner of Arrow Employment Services in Hong Kong. Hiring a helper from another country and culture is difficult and misunderstandings are common. Our goal is to help you “find and keep a good helper”. If you are looking for work, our goal is to “help you find and keep a good job”. We help you navigate the often difficult employer - employee relationship.

http://arrowes.hk
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