We will never run out of house staff problems really. We have shared herin the variations of managing them; & in my opinion, swerte swerte lang kung maka gets ng helper who matches the senyora's management style. No style is better, nor morally superior.
To-date, the cornerstone of my house staff management is still to treat them like office employees. With respect, strict discipline, better pay, benefits of office workers, and distance. Through the years, once kina hon ko utak nila that they are treated just like the employees in our offices -- they shape up, accept that there is nothing personal between us, get resigned to my strict demands/standards, know it's useless to try to negotiate on my rules, know that "pasensya na" will eventually lead to their replacement.
I have stopped treating them the way we treat help in my mom's household. Yung parang family, yung pag aralin sila, etc etc. This generation of helpers is different. Pinag aral: nag drugs, buntis, nag major in sex/kalandian, natuto live beyond their means, etc. Enough. Now I tell them: save and leave my house to study.
For me it's: This is the job description, these are my rules. Accept 100percent, kaya mo ba, or this is the end of this interview.
When employed in my house, kayo kayo mag sympathia -- do not look for anything from me, except your salary, benefits & safe welfare on my premises.
I interface my house staff with some of my office staff: my secretary & receptionist (for food deliveries to the house, out-sourced maintenance requirements, house requirements scheduled automatically by my secretary as per my annual scheds, etc. kung anybody needs to schedule with our family doctors for medical attention); 1 accountant who handles their SSS, PhilHealth, etc etc... Basta hwag ako ang kausapin. It is my secretary who talks to me in 1 go, if hindi nya ma decision-nan, kung ano man kelangan. That way, the house staff feels "upgraded". Basta mas type nila tell my sec about any house rqmnts needing outside attention, kesa see make my eyes big.
Kaya our old Yaya wonders: ang suplada mo, ang stricto, ang sungit mo daw sabi maids mo, pero mabait ka daw. (Lol)
So there, IMO, I never get confused na amo ako, kayo pa sweldo ko, hindi family. So never kayo ma confuse our things are ours, period. Never kayo ma confuse you know better.
I never get confused: ako always masusunod, or out you go. Kasi yang maluwag/understanding ka sa mga mali -- eventually, their performance slides to what you don't like -- so tatagal lang ang problem. I always tell them: 3 warnings lang. Of course, some misdemeanors eh don't deserve warnings.
Yang picture picture sa house.
I do not allow help to keep cell phones with cameras/cameras. They get these returned to them pag off nila. I provide 2 cellphones with no cameras sa house para matawagan ko sila & vice versa. Of course, I understand they need to feel connected to their far away families. They can keep their no-camera cellphones with them -- but we have strict rules about when they can use these - not in their pockets during work hours.
Now, usually during the holidays -- I give them the opportunity to dress up and picture picture by the Christmas tree, etc etc. they giggle & enjoy it. They are in uniforms -- but during parties, I give them the chance to get group pictures, etc. I think if they do pretend to be not maids -- como they come off in their uniforms more as personal assistants or as catering staff -- ok lang sa kanila picture picture in their uniforms. Eh kung nag bikini at nag pose sa pool -- yan I cannot say with 100percent certainty does not happen. But for sure, 100percent, hindi swim wear ko gamit.
No photos of the family, specially the kids. I tell them during the interview that pag they take photos -- wala ng tanong tanong, off to the NB1. I say di ka man makulong, titignan ko may record ka na. That may seem extreme to some here, but that is our reality, our lives.
So far, so good. My helpers stay for a minimum of 3 years. They marry, get preggers , -- and leave. I prefer getting house staff in their mid30s - mas stable emotionally and decedido na to work.
Well, I also pray that I never treat my staff unfairly, and that if they mean to bring discord or trouble into our home -- eh umalis na lang. I know those with Chinese Feng shui/geomancers stick whatever sa house sabi eh: even if it's a long trusted helper, feels the need to leave -- payabangan umalis agad before May mangyari pang masama. I follow that too.
