SAMPLE AUK ORIENTATION FOR MAIDS
How to succeed with your employers
Remember you are a total stranger to your employer’s house. Your first duty is to earn their trust and get them to like you. You can achieve these by trying to please them always and be useful in the house. Work hard and well and your stay will be a rewarding one.
Always bear in mind the following guidelines and it will help you to SUCCEED:
Homesick
Do not feel homesick and even if you do, do not show it. Occupy and concentrate your thoughts on the household chores instead.
Be the first to wake up and only go to bed after everything is done. Do not take a nap in the afternoon unless permission is given. Always inform your employer before going to bed and to see whether there is anything left behind for you to do.
Honesty
Do not tell any untruths. Once you are caught telling a lie the employer would not be able to trust you anymore. Do not smoke or drink alcohol. Should you have any problems, please do discuss it with your employer.
Do not use the telephone, or television or radio without permission of your employer. Long-distance calls are very expensive so do not make or accept any such calls without the permission of your employer otherwise you can be sure of losing your job. Do not give your employer’s phone number freely to all your friends unless you are allowed to. Use the phone only for emergency cases. Make your call short just in case that your employer wants to call home while outside and she will be furious to find the phone engaged after a few tries. Should your friends call when your employer is away, let your employer know about the calls.
Do not ask for a salary advance or loans. Do not try to re-negotiate your terms or even tell your employer that others are getting a higher salary or more frequent off-days than you are.
Always try to save your employer’s money by switching electrical appliances, lightings not is use and to remember to turn off taps after use. Never cook too much food and then to find leftovers. A day or two leftovers can be eaten and take it to show your thriftiness.
Never let any strangers into the house while your employers are out and keep all doors locked at all times. If strangers claim that they are being sent by your employer for collection of items, etc . Check with your employer first to confirm. If unable to reach your employer, ignore them.
Fruits, fresh milk, fresh fruit juices and chocolates are very expensive items. Do not eat or drink such items unless you are invited to. Be thoughtful by preparing food/meals of your employer’s choice instead of yours. If you are being asked to take your meals first before your employer returns from work, be sure to reserve sufficient food for them. In this way, you will gain appreciation in return. Do not borrow Employer’s belongings without their permission. Do not open any of Employer’s mail nor drawers . Do not be lazy or slow , look lively.
Communication :
1. Don’t be shy to ask or speak
2. Speak clearly in English
Maintain personal Image :
1. Be presentable in dress but no make up
2. Short nails and no nail varnish
3. Wear pyjamas in the night (If available)
Maintain personal cleanliness :
1. Take bath everyday (If possible twice a day)
2. Wash hair thrice (at least) a week
3. Change bed sheets, pillow cases twice a week.
II. (B) What is not expected (shouldn’t do)
from a maid
1. Stay overnight outside during her day-off
2. Using of the telephones (Telebabad)
3. Use radio and Hi-fi
4. Use curlers after washing hair
5. Drink Alcohol / Beer
6. Smoke
7. Speak Taglish (Tagalog halo ng English)
8. Give personal problems to her employer
9. Mix with bad accompany and under influence of them
10. Lazy and slow
11. Borrow or advance money from her employer, friends or any financial institution.