This was written on 4 April and scheduled to appear when I am in China.
I have seen many instances of Singapore employers who are unhappy with their foreign maids. The employers shout at the maids for being stupid and not obeying instructions. These employers did not realize that the maids are not as smart as them -otherwise, why should they be maids?. Furthermore, the maids have a language problem and are not used to our culture.
I want to encourage Singaporean employers to look at the positive side. Look for what the maid can do for your family, e.g. keep the house clean, watch the house when you are away, act honestly and diligently and do the simple things that make life comfortable for you and your family.
We do not need to focus on what they cannot do - for example, they may not be good cooks or do not have initiative or may not react in the same manner as the employer.
If we accept the maids for what they can do, we will find that they are indeed helpful to have around. Life will then be more pleasant for everyone - the family and for the maid.
Tan Kin Lian
1 comment:
It is a culture in Singapore to focus on what is wrong. This also applies to the workplace.
It is not only the boss that looks for what is wrong - the workers also have the same habit.
If they are given a task, they are afraid of what is wrong, and dare not take responsibility. They want to be told exactly what has to be done.
This comes from our culture of "excellence" and "perfection".
It is better for our people to realize that perfection is not necessary for ordinary daily tasks. We should accept a margin of tolerance. It is better to be "roughly correct" than "precisely wrong".
For example, we may follow an instruction to the letter, but the instruction is wrong in itself. This is a common situation.
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