{"id":880,"date":"2019-03-26T15:44:24","date_gmt":"2019-03-26T07:44:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/blog\/?p=880"},"modified":"2025-08-22T18:09:43","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T10:09:43","slug":"5-common-helper-problems-and-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/5-common-helper-problems-and-solutions\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Steps to Handle Domestic Helper Problems"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Establishing a positive relationship with your domestic helper is important, especially if you envision a long-term hire. This means you will have to handle domestic helper problems carefully.<\/span><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/5-common-helper-problems-and-solutions\/#1_Not_all_problems_are_major_%E2%80%93_decide_which_ones_you_need_to_deal_with\" >1. Not all problems are major \u2013 decide which ones you need to deal with<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/5-common-helper-problems-and-solutions\/#2_Handle_differences_carefully_%E2%80%93_talk_to_your_domestic_helper\" >2. \u00a0Handle differences carefully \u2013 talk to your domestic helper<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/5-common-helper-problems-and-solutions\/#3_Following_up_is_necessary_%E2%80%93_decide_on_an_action_plan\" >3. Following up is necessary \u2013 decide on an action plan<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/5-common-helper-problems-and-solutions\/#4_Have_an_open_communication_channel_%E2%80%93_make_your_domestic_helper_feel_appreciated\" >4. Have an open communication channel \u2013 make your domestic helper feel appreciated<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some employers are quick to terminate their domestic helper\u2019s contract when they do not follow instructions. Others would rather only have a serious conversation with their domestic helper. And yet other employers will just shrug their shoulders and think to themselves that they probably would have caved as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When you are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/how-to-handle-domestic-helper-problems\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">managing your domestic helper<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, inevitably there will be helper-related problems and irritations. These can be small, for example, the domestic helper always puts the eggs on the top shelf rather than in the door where you prefer them, but they can also be more serious, for example, secretly smoking inside the house. Employers most often encounter small annoyances, but they can become bigger over time if they are not dealt with. It is important that you manage your employee when you can before petty annoyances lead to frustrations and possibly even resentment. Most employers will only face small problems since serious problems are rare.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Not_all_problems_are_major_%E2%80%93_decide_which_ones_you_need_to_deal_with\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">1. Not all problems are major \u2013 decide which ones you need to deal with<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A boyfriend wearing pulled up white socks is often considered a deal breaker, but some women simply do not care. The same goes for domestic helper problems. What is the reason for terminating a contract for one employer is not for another? Asking others for advice can help you solve your current problem, but do stay true to your values and beliefs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When you handle domestic helper problems, consider the severity of the problem. Most issues do not warrant any action other than asking your domestic helper to do something differently if her method is upsetting you. Also, ask her about her side of the story so that you can better understand what the problem is.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Handle_differences_carefully_%E2%80%93_talk_to_your_domestic_helper\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2. \u00a0Handle differences carefully \u2013 talk to your domestic helper<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Remember that your domestic helper comes from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper-cultural-differences\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a very different cultural and social background<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. What is normal for you, may not be for her. A very simple example could be: should the peanut butter be put in the fridge or not? This practice differs in a lot of families, simply based upon their upbringing. The key is that when you handle your domestic helper problems, you need to have open communication. When you <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/3-tips-help-domestic-helper-organise-cleaning-work\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">gave her an assignment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> did you tell her very clearly what you wanted her to do? It is fairly easy to find out where the problem lies, by simply asking her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you discuss the problems with your domestic helper, make sure she does not feel attacked because this will probably not lead to solving the problem effectively. If you are angry, cool down before you discuss things with her. Sit her down with no distractions and talk things through. She may have a very valid reason for doing things the way she does.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Following_up_is_necessary_%E2%80%93_decide_on_an_action_plan\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">3. Following up is necessary \u2013 decide on an action plan<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">After you have talked to your domestic helper, you will have to decide on how to handle the issue. You may have already done this during your chat, but sometimes it will be best to think about the issue for a while. And make sure you are both clear about the way forward, being sure to let her know if she is making the same mistake again. For example, your domestic helper might consistently feed your children junk food instead of the healthy vegetable meal you had planned. Make sure that you both understand what was agreed upon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Have_an_open_communication_channel_%E2%80%93_make_your_domestic_helper_feel_appreciated\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">4. Have an open communication channel \u2013 make your domestic helper feel appreciated<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Just like you might have irritations with your domestic helper, she may well feel the same. You are her employer, but she also has to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper-privacy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">live with her employers with little privacy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. At times your domestic helper will prefer to do things a different way. This is especially the case if you prefer her to be independent and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/assign-helpers-tasks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">take her own initiative<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. She will do things a certain way and over time will become confident with her own skills. This doesn\u2019t have to be a problem, instead, turn it around and ask her to share her experiences with you during your chats. For example, you may find out that she prefers making her own floor-scrubbing soap because it cleans stains better. You will be happy you didn\u2019t fire her immediately when a speed bump came along.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Establishing a positive relationship with your domestic helper is important, especially if you envision a long-term hire. This means you will have to handle domestic helper problems carefully. Some employers are quick to terminate their domestic helper\u2019s contract when they do not follow instructions. Others would rather only have a serious conversation with their domestic [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"slim_seo":{"title":"4 Steps to Handle Domestic Helper Problems - HelperChoice Blog","description":"Establishing a positive relationship with your domestic helper is important, especially if you envision a long-term hire. 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