Experiencing homesickness is not uncommon for many helpers from foreign countries. It is understandable. After all, they are living far away from family and friends. Not to mention they have to adapt to a new environment and perform their duties.
As an employer, it is crucial to provide a comfortable and welcoming work environment.
Of course, that includes helping your maid deal with homesickness. Here’s how to handle a homesick domestic helper: a guide for employers.
How to Handle a Homesick Domestic Helper
1. Recognize the Signs
The feeling of homesickness manifests differently. In some people, they manifest in obvious ways. In some others, not so much. Below are some signs to watch for:
- Quietness or withdrawal
- Poor work performance
- Lack of motivation
- Loss of appetite
- Sleep issues
- Sadness or frequent crying
By identifying the signs early, you can take a proactive approach and help your maid handle homesickness.
2. Create a Welcoming Environment
Creating a welcoming environment is also part of how to handle a homesick domestic helper: a guide for employers.
Your maid is miles away from home and she spends most of her time in your home. That makes your home her second home. The more comfortable and included she feels, the less lonely she will be.
Creating a welcoming environment goes a long way and you can do it in many ways. For example, you can greet her warmly every day and ask how she is doing. You can also include her in family meals or celebrations when it is appropriate.
Respecting her culture and background is helpful as well. A simple gesture such as learning simple words in her native language or occasionally cooking traditional dishes from her culture can help ease homesickness.
Providing your maid with a private and comfortable space is a good idea, too.
3. Encourage Communication with Family
The next thing on how to handle a homesick domestic helper: a guide for employers is to encourage communication with family. Allowing your helper to contact her loved ones regularly will help ease homesickness.
Make sure that your maid has access to a phone and the internet so she can communicate with her family easily. Also, allow her to have regular, scheduled breaks to communicate with her family.
Try to be flexible during special occasions or emergencies back home. Allow longer time off or calls if the situation demands.
4. Listen and Be Supportive
Ask how your maid is adjusting and how she is feeling without judgment. Let her share stories about her past experiences, her family, and her home.
Never dismiss your maid’s emotions. Something as simple as saying “I understand how hard it must be” can go a long way in building a healthy, respectful relationship.
5. Help Her Build a Local Support Network
Everyone needs a support network. A support network, like friends or a community, helps significantly in reducing homesickness. Encourage your maid to join local support groups, religious gatherings, or cultural associations.
If she gets along with other helpers in the neighborhood, allow social interaction and occasional visits. Giving her a full day off each week so she can relax and socialize.
6. Know When to Seek Help
If the homesickness is persistent and severe, consider seeking help. Encourage your maid to talk to a counselor or a support organization for migrant workers. Keep in touch with her maid agency or embassy if her emotional distress affects her health or ability to work.
FAQs How to Handle a Homesick Domestic Helper
What are the signs of homesickness in a domestic helper?
Signs of homesickness include quietness, withdrawal, poor work performance, lack of motivation, loss of appetite, sleep issues, and frequent sadness or crying.
How can I create a welcoming environment for my homesick maid?
You can greet her warmly, include her in family meals, respect her culture, provide a private space, and learn simple words in her native language to help her feel more comfortable.
How can I encourage my maid to communicate with her family?
Ensure she has access to a phone and the internet, allow scheduled breaks, and offer flexibility during special occasions or emergencies to help her stay connected with loved ones.
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