House rules are crucial for a positive and harmonious working relationship. The question is, how do you set such rules?
Our guide to setting house rules for new domestic helpers below will shed light on how to create order in your house, ensure mutual respect, and prevent misunderstandings.
Guide to Setting House Rules for New Domestic Helpers
1. Introduction and Orientation
In general, the earlier you set house rules the better. That said, there is something you need to do before setting any rules. Namely, introduction and orientation.
First impressions matter. They set the tone for the relationship. Of course, you’d want your helper to have a good first impression.
Before introducing the house rules, the first thing you need to do is to welcome your helper warmly and introduce her to your family. Give her a house tour.
Explain what her role is and ensure that she understands it. Let her know of your expectations. Address any initial concerns, if there are any.
Explain that the house rules are meant to create mutual understanding and a structured working relationship and that they are not meant to be restrictive.
Let your helper know that her well-being, safety, and dignity are important to you.
Be patient and provide your helper with some time to adapt and adjust. This is particularly important if there are significant cultural differences.
2. Tasks and Schedules
The next step in our guide to setting house rules for new domestic helpers is to define tasks and schedules clearly. Be as clear and specific as possible. For example, your helper should prepare breakfast by 6:30 AM, wash and iron clothes on Tuesday and Friday, have rest days on Sunday, and so on.
Outline tasks that need to be done on a daily, weekly, as well as monthly basis. Specify
- Daily routines, which may include tasks such as cleaning, laundry, cooking, and childcare
- Weekly or monthly tasks such as grocery shopping and deep cleaning
- Working hours and break times
- Expectations during days off or special events
- Overtime policy and compensation
Having a written schedule is a good idea. It helps your helper to plan her time effectively and prevents ambiguity.
If grocery shopping is one of your helper’s tasks, you may want her to keep all the receipts. Let her know which brands you prefer.
Also, be clear on your preference. For example, how you want her to separate clothes, how to handle baby clothing, which clothes she needs to iron, which items are to hand wash, and so on.
Make sure that your helper understands her tasks and schedules.
Let her know what level of quality you expect and which chores are priorities. Always respect legal requirements for working hours and time off.
3. Hygiene and Personal Appearance
Set standards for hygiene and personal appearance. For example,
- Wash hands before and after eating
- Take a bath at least once every day
- Brush teeth twice a day
- No sharing of personal towels
- Proper waste disposal and recycling
4. Privacy and Boundaries
The last step in our guide to setting house rules for new domestic helpers is to define personal space and boundaries. Maids work in close proximity to the family. Defining personal space and boundaries encourages mutual respect and creates a structured and respectful.
You need to clearly communicate which rooms are off-limits, the use of personal or family items (e.g. food, toiletries, phones, and computers), social interactions with family members, and the privacy of family information and conversations.
On one hand, you should make sure that your helper is the family’s privacy and routines. On the other hand, you should trust her and give her the space to perform her duties without unnecessary micromanagement.
Encourage her to express her own need for privacy or quiet time. This is especially important if she is a live-in helper.
FAQs: Setting House Rules for Your New Helper
When should I introduce the house rules?
Introduce the rules early, but only after you have warmly welcomed your helper, given her a house tour, and explained her main role and your expectations.
How can I make a clear work schedule?
Create a written schedule that lists daily tasks (like cooking and cleaning), weekly tasks (like deep cleaning or grocery shopping), and monthly tasks. Clearly state working hours, break times, and days off.
What kind of hygiene rules should I set?
Set basic standards for personal hygiene, such as washing hands regularly, daily bathing, and proper waste disposal.
Conclusion
Our guide to setting house rules for new domestic helpers should make setting your own house rules easier. If you’re interested in hiring a domestic helper, look no further and contact Jayamaids.
