When choosing a housekeeper, it is important that she not only take good care of the home, but also keep valuable things intact. Find out how to choose the right assistant? The decision to hire a housekeeper is a serious matter. It is good if you come across an honest, hardworking and tidy person who will keep the apartment in order, treat you well and will not take your things. However, by hiring strangers, we run the risk of being left without expensive things. Let's go broke, how to choose the right housekeeper?
Who is a housekeeper?
A housekeeper or maid is a housekeeper who takes care of the household in your apartment, freeing up your time and energy. She should be a like-minded person who has clearly understood your requirements and wishes.
How to find a housekeeper?
Faced with the choice of a housekeeper, it seems difficult to find a decent person. But in reality, finding a maid is not difficult.
- Ask friends who have used similar services, perhaps they will recommend someone or they have a friend who needs a part-time job. It is not recommended to hire your relatives or acquaintances for this position, as it is more difficult to fire them and make comments.
- Take a closer look at your neighbors, perhaps an energetic, neat and good-natured old woman lives near you, who wants to earn a small addition to her pension and will help you with the housework.
- Look or place your own ad in a newspaper or on the Internet. True, you are unlikely to find professionals, but perhaps you will be lucky.
- One of the best ways is to contact a home recruiting agency. They check the maids' passports, registration, references, diplomas … It will be easier for such a person to entrust housing. But here it should be borne in mind that in this case you will have to pay extra for the agency's services.
What to discuss with the housekeeper before hiring?
- Designate a specific day of the week and time of arrival. Is it okay to be late, but better not, because you need to plan your time.
- Discuss the scope of work. Write your wishes in as much detail as possible on paper. Outline the terms of reference, up to "wipe the plinth with 3 types of washcloths, move the sofa, etc.", then there will be no misunderstandings. That is, write down all the far corners, high shelves and hard-to-reach places.
- Specify the amount of payment for a specific amount of work and how you will be calculated: once a month or after every cleaning.
- Please stipulate the payment for cleaning and detergents. Housekeepers often use the means they are accustomed to. And if you buy them, they will not be spent so carefully.
- Discuss her comfort: can she dine, drink tea. If a person comes at 4 o'clock, then perhaps he will not get very hungry, and if at 8, then you need to show a place where you can eat a sandwich. Because it will be uncomfortable for a woman to have snacks on the sly of you, shutting herself in the toilet. Give her a cup, spoon, and plate that she can use.
- Show drawers, bedside tables and other places where she should never look. Set boundaries, as not everyone needs to know about your collection of figurines, coins, stamps.
- Introduce family members to the housekeeper and provide minimal information. For example, “My husband Nikolai doesn't like it when his shelf with books is touched”, “The daughter is often naughty because of her adolescent age. Do not pay attention, work, do not comment on her. I will decide the questions with the children”.
- Establish a cleaning order. For example, "Today, start cleaning with ironing, since the child is sleeping, then proceed to other processes."
What to entrust to the housekeeper?
- Purchase of products.
- Purchase of household items.
- Ironing clean, washed laundry.
- Dry cleaning and care of curtains, furniture, carpets.
- Paying bills.
- Current and general cleaning.
- Washing and deep cleaning of things.
The main problems when hiring housekeepers
When inviting a stranger to the house, you need to be prepared for anything. The most terrible sins of the Freken Bock follower are as follows.
Theft
Theft is not only the loss of things, but also withholding change, overstating the cost of products, replacing expensive goods with cheap ones. In the worst case, if the maid is aware of your departure, then she may be a spotter, which will be impossible to prove. It is worth noting that the respectable representatives themselves often turn out to be guilty without fault. Since they are primarily accused of missing things, although in fact the thief may be a family member, friend or relative. But do not provoke the assistant, do not leave jewelry and money in a conspicuous place, check receipts, control food expenses, do not leave her alone during the cleaning.
Damaging things
Provide detailed instructions on how to handle valuables, household and other appliances. Arrange a tour of the apartment, tell us about interior items, dishes and clothes that require delicate care. Show the technique and detergents she has to work with and find out if she has worked with them before. Provide special wipes and sponges for the care of the LCD monitor, glass ceramics, etc. Please warn that the cost for property damaged through her fault will be deducted from your salary. Then the consciousness of the housekeeper will increase.
Flirting with a husband or grown-up son
Many housekeepers dream of marrying an oligarch and one way to get closer to their dream is to get a job as a housekeeper. Pay attention to the woman's appearance. She, of course, should not be sloppy, but extended nails, golden fake tan, blond curls, catchy clothes, wagging gait and languid voice should alert you. Even despite the fact that a man is not alone, but married, such a determined hunter will not stop at her goal. So that you do not have jealousy, and your husband and son are protected from temptation, indicate the age range of the assistant from 35-40 years, but not older than 55. Mostly, that she is married with children, happy with the marriage and with an appearance that is far from appetizing forms Jennifer Lopez.
Bad character
If this is a teacher with 30 years of experience, then she will try to establish her own rules, criticize the methods of raising children and pets, teach you life, and so on. Such signs can be seen at the first meeting. If in doubt, it is best to consider other candidates. If you contacted the agency, explain the reasons for the refusal and ask for a replacement.
Talkativeness
It is not worthwhile to communicate closely and make friends with the housekeeper. You need to inform the manager of the agency about this, and the worker herself when meeting. Otherwise, the work will not be done on time, and if not qualitatively, then friendly relations will prevent you from making comments. Separate business and personal relationships. Warn that you value peace and quiet, and you get tired of talkative people.
Useful tips when choosing a housekeeper
- When hiring a housekeeper for a job, ask for referrals. If you wish, contact previous employers and find out the points that interest you: there were cases of absenteeism, lateness, theft, etc.
- Hear how she talks about herself. Perhaps she is offended by fate and is convinced that this is hard labor, and she deserves the best. Think about whether you need such a "fairy".
- If a housekeeper with work experience, pay attention to how she speaks about previous employers. Perhaps she tells the details of their personal life and so on. After all, the profession of a housekeeper implies confidentiality. Gossip and resentment are unacceptable.
- At the end of the interview, tell me what you think and call back within 3 days, and if you don’t call back, then you have chosen another candidate. Since they can talk, make sure you call, and 50 people came to you!
- The first exits of a toiler to work do not leave her alone. Command and correct, but be polite and supportive. Awkwardness is not appropriate here. You order a service for which you pay, and it must be performed with high quality.
- Ask the maid what kind of service she has provided in the past.
- For educational purposes, you can leave the cleaning in the rooms of adult adolescents to the children themselves.
- An important factor is how the worker reacts and responds to your comments, for example: "Why is there dust behind the chair?" The housekeeper can argue and make excuses or, without entering into a discussion, quickly wipe everything over again. Choose what you prefer.
And here is an interesting video on how to find an affordable housekeeper:
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