Important Precautions to Take Before Hiring a Housemaid or Domestic Helper!
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Planning to hire a housemaid? Learn key precautions to ensure your family’s safety and maintain a respectful work environment. Background checks, health, trust, and CCTV tips included.
In recent times, certain incidents have come to light that, when read or heard, are bound to create fear or concern—especially for those who employ domestic helpers at home. Last year, there was news from Pune where a housemaid, in the absence of the homeowners, was seen mixing her Urine while preparing rotis and serving them to the family. Similarly, a new incident has recently emerged from Uttar Pradesh. In Bijnor, a housemaid working at the residence of a businessman named Satyen Mittan was found spitting her Urine into the utensils and serving food using the same.
Reading or hearing about such incidents naturally gives rise to fear and suspicion. In today's fast-paced urban life, having a domestic helper has become a necessity. However, in light of such incidents, it is extremely important to take certain precautions to ensure the safety of ourselves and our families. Below are some important measures that should be followed. Let us read and understand them:
1) Do Not Decide in a Hurry:
When you plan to hire a domestic helper, make sure to conduct a thorough background check. Pay attention to their behavior and ask questions to understand their nature and intentions. Never make a decision in haste just because it seems necessary.
2) Hire Through a Known or Trusted Source:
It is not necessary that you personally know the domestic helper before hiring them. But you certainly might not know or recognize all of them. Therefore, whenever hiring a helper, do so with the assistance of someone known and trustworthy. This way, you will at least have some understanding or information about the person you are employing.
3) Keep a Close Watch:
Even amidst your busy schedule, you must set aside some time to ensure the safety of your home and family. Stay alert to all household matters. Know where and how household items are kept. That way, if something is found misplaced in your presence, you can be reasonably sure that the domestic help is involved.
4) Never Leave Small Children Alone:
Often, due to busy work schedules, parents leave their small children in the care of the domestic help. This is absolutely not advisable. Only if you are 100% sure that the helper is trustworthy should you even consider this. By stating this, we are not trying to discourage your trust or affection toward your domestic help, but in today's changing times, it is very difficult to place blind trust on anyone. Our suggestion is to make time as a parent to personally ensure your child’s safety. You can also seek help from other family members. But never place the entire responsibility on the helper alone.
5) Pay Attention to the Health of the Helper:
If you have already employed or are planning to hire a domestic helper, make sure to pay attention to their health. Ensure they do not suffer from any skin disease or contagious illness. If you find out they are sick but still coming to work, kindly request them to return only after full recovery. Often, we tend to neglect such matters.
6) Install a CCTV System:
If you are hiring a domestic helper, our strong recommendation is to install CCTV cameras in your home. If possible, place cameras in all areas where the helper is most active. If the helper is cooking for you or your family, make sure the kitchen has a camera. Connect the CCTV to your mobile phone so that even when you’re outside or at work, you can monitor your home. Do not forget to check the footage regularly. CCTV helps ensure not only protection from the domestic helper but also helps with other security aspects.
7) Respect Your Helper :
Never disrespect your domestic helper or treat them poorly. Remember, they too are human beings and have their own self-respect. It is our duty to show love and compassion towards everyone. If they are doing good work or if you are satisfied with their work, be sure to appreciate them.If your helper makes a mistake, first try to explain it to them calmly and respectfully. If necessary, then part ways by paying them their rightful dues with dignity.
Apart from this, make sure you have the full bio-data of your helper. Keep copies of their address proof, Aadhaar card, etc., safely with you for your security.
Our intention with this article is not to create distrust or suspicion toward any domestic worker. They too are like members of our family. However, due to the actions of a few individuals, the entire society or system tends to be negatively affected. Therefore, in such matters too, it is necessary to be cautious. Taking responsibility and showing respect while ensuring security is the only way to build a healthy and safe society for everyone.
Thank You.
