Tips-How to Retain a Helper

To retain a domestic Helper for long is everyone's dream. Afterall, finding the perfect helper for yourself isn't easy and if you did find one then you definitely wouldn't want to part ways with them too soon! You spend a long time and lots of effort in molding the Helper as per your needs, and the Helper also makes a lot of effort in satisfying your needs. This effort is multi-fold on both sides for a live-in Helper.

To ensure you retain your Helpers we have a few tips for you to follow.

● Be Respectful to retain your Helper:

One of the biggest reasons the workers from the unorganized sector refuse a job or leave a job is that they feel disrespected or undervalued. Often they will take up a slightly less paying job in lieu of one where they are not talked well to. This starts right during the interview. Our experience shows that employers who treat the candidates well during an interview are the ones who are able to hire faster and retain better. Treating well just means be gentle, greet them, not talk in a threatening way (for eg: Instead of saying If you take more than 2 leaves I will fire you, they say, you will be allowed two leaves every month. If you need more than that you have to give a valid reason, in advance). Even after hiring, talk to them as equals, do not shout at them, explain things to them as you would any new employee - do NOT think of them as servants but Helpers who are ensuring your home runs well. Dignity and respect is the biggest motivator for most Helpers. If you treat them the right way they will work for you with more dedication.

● Pre-Inform about the Job details to retain your Helper after hiring:

Ensure that the Helper knows in advance the detailed list of work that needs to be done. This will help you retain the Helper better when you hire. And remember, do not change the work requirements drastically later. 

People join any job with some notions in mind. To change them immediately after joining unnerves them. You may give them a job which is better than what they signed up for, not the other way round. You may tell a maid to sweep or to mop or to do the laundry in the washing machine but you cannot ask a cook to start doing sweeping mopping. 

Again, to give an analogy - If you hire a data entry staff, you cannot ask them to also maintain a visitor's register after hiring. They may refuse that work.

Further if the workload is being increased, salary should be increased too.

● Provide Benefits and the Helper will stay with you:

Provide them with benefits so they like working for you and wouldn't want to work somewhere else.

Small benefits such as arranging for the transport of the Helper to your home, especially at odd hours or giving them a small gift on their birthdays or a day off on their festivals can go a long way in getting the Helper to be loyal to you.

A small break time, and a comfortable place where they can relax, check their mobiles, or talk on phone are also benefits which go a long way. An employer we know got a BB membership for her Helper and told her she can order any toiletries, biscuits, snacks, milk etc. This was over and above the salary. This not only ensured that the Helper did not pilfer anything but also that she felt valued.

Another employer created a small sitting area for her Helper in a small covered balcony and allowed her Helper to take half breaks every three hours. The Helper would get a cup of tea to this corner and could watch videos or use her mobile otherwise. Been two years and they are both still happily "engaged" with each other.

You can also choose to pay for their medical expenses or get them health insurance for them and their families.

Make sure to give them a small bonus or raise after 2-3 months and again after 12 months. These things will make them want to work for you.

● Provide fair number of leaves - key to retaining a Helper:

Set a number of paid annual leaves of at least 7 days. Discuss in advance how to distribute it throughout the working period. For example, 1 per month or a week's leave during a festival. This obviously will be in addition to the monthly leaves of 2-4 days which is the norm. Think of this as the time for them to refresh and rest and come back to work with increased zest.

● Get a Contract so that both sides are clear about expectations:

Get a contract in place stating all terms and conditions, including the job role and terms and conditions.