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When it comes to hiring foreign domestic workers (FDW), finding the right person for your family can be difficult, and it can be tempting to try out different domestic workers in hopes of finding the perfect fit.
However, changing foreign domestic workers frequently can have negative consequences. Below, we look at what can happen if you change domestic workers frequently, why it happens, and what can be done to improve your FDW retention rates.
Problem with the Ministry of Manpower
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) considers the changing of domestic workers more than three times a year to be cause for concern. If you want to hire a 4th domestic worker within a year, you will be considered a “Frequent change of employer” and will either have to meet with the Ministry of Manpower or attend the Employer Orientation Program before they can hire another worker, which costs an average of S$32.25.
Potential monetary loss
Hiring a domestic worker is already Dear, so unsurprisingly, hiring more will be more so. Not only will you pay termination fees, but you’ll also have to pay repatriation fees (if you send her home), replacement or rehire fees, housekeeping agency fees, and a new insurance policy. If your domestic worker is wreaking havoc on your home, termination definitely outweighs the costs; However, if you fired your worker because of overly high expectations or petty idiosyncrasies, the costs may not be worth it. The table below shows the fees associated with hiring and onboarding an FDW. Based on these cost estimates, you can expect to pay up to S$4,200 in fees alone if you go through 3 domestic workers per year.
| One-time cost of hiring an FDW | Average cost (S$) |
|---|---|
| Cleaning agency fees | 1,100 |
| Work permit application | 30 |
| Working license | 30 |
| Installer | 75 |
| Employer orientation | 32.25 |
| Initial medical examination | 80 |
| Inoculation (optional) | 73.87 |
| Total | 1,421.12 |
Loss of quality of life
In addition to the legal and monetary ramifications, the constant changes of workers could lead to a loss of quality of life. In some cases, training your new FDW can take up to a few months, which involves taking time off from work, helping with their chores, and helping them acclimate to your home and Singapore. This means that if you go through three workers in a year, you could spend almost a year training your new hires, taking the time to do things you really want to do.
What if your household workers want to quit early?
If you find yourself losing several domestic workers a year, either you are incredibly unlucky or some of your actions may be off-putting to your employees. If all of your workers have cited the same reason for wanting to leave, it might be worth reassessing your policies as an employer. This is especially important when dealing with things like rest days, adequate housing, salary, and safety precautions since MOM has specific guidelines for these categories. If you like a worker and she wants to leave for one of these reasons, you should try to renegotiate your original contract and find a compromise that will keep her.
Also, if you want to reduce the chances of your worker wanting to quit before the end of her contract, you can research current employment trends (salary, benefits, days off, etc.). If you can afford it, you can give him a competitive salary or several days off. Since domestic workers can discuss their living and working environment with each other, you can prevent jealous or resentful behavior by maintaining a line of communication to ensure that you are fulfilling your end of the job market. One thing you should keep in mind, however, is that it may be worth checking her employment record to see if she has a history of changing employers frequently. In this case, you should avoid hiring him.
Ways to avoid changing domestic workers frequently
If you cross a employment agency, only use one with a high retention rate, as this means there is a good track record of domestic workers staying with their employers. You should also talk to the agency to see how much information you can get about a potential worker and if you can interview them. On the other hand, hiring a domestic worker directly can also increase your chances of getting along with your worker, especially if you hire them through someone you already know and trust. . Direct hires also allow for in-person interviews, which can help you get a better picture of the candidate.
In addition, when writing your employment contract, you must ensure that your worker accepts and understands the content of the contract. If she doesn’t actually understand some of the terms of the contract, it can lead to miscommunication and conflict down the line. Additionally, you need to make sure your contract is fair, both to her and to your expectations. If you expect too much from her, then it will be easier for you to get discouraged and end up wanting to find someone better.
Final Thoughts
While you may be adamant about finding the perfect helper, changing domestic staff often sends a red flag to the mother, making your future hiring decisions much more difficult. It’s also financially costly, and the constant training takes time away from other activities that should take priority. However, it is understandable that in some cases you may have a bad luck streak with your workers, making the rehiring of workers inevitable. In this case, since you have to buy a maid insurance Either way, you can buy one that covers termination and rehire fees, which can help reduce some of the costs associated with quits.
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The article What happens if you change domestic workers frequently? originally appeared on ValueChampion.
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