Most homes in Pakistan have the good fortune of being able to hire help for their household chores, as domestic help is widely available well within the budgetary constraints of middle-income families. In fact, you might find yourself in a dilemma in terms of needing one, but having two or more housekeepers approaching you in the hopes of securing employment. The important question then is not about whether you should consider hiring a housekeeper but rather, which one would be best suited for the tasks that you need help with.
While there is no set formula for hiring the perfect help, there are a few guidelines that can assist you while hiring a housekeeper. By keeping these factors in mind, you can employ the right person for your daily chores around the house. First off, let’s determine what a housekeeper can help you with and from where you can get one.
Tasks That a Housekeeper Can Help You With
Most hired help in Pakistan is usually accustomed to performing the following household chores:
- Cleaning the house, including sweeping, mopping and dusting
- Cleaning the kitchen and washing the dishes
- Washing and drying clothes and other fabrics
- Ironing and folding the clothes
- Making the bed and changing sheets as needed
- Cooking or helping with meal preparations
- Taking care of the kids or elders at home
However, before you hire a housekeeper, you need to be sure about the chores you need help with so that you can discuss the same with potential candidates. Their monthly salary will also depend on the amount of work you need to get done and their number of working days.
Part-Time Housekeepers vs. Full-Time House Help
People in Pakistan hire help for their everyday chores on a full-time or a part-time basis, depending on their requirements. Full-time help basically means offering living space to the housekeeper in your property, so they can help you out on all occasions and emergencies. Part-time housekeepers, which are more common, come to your home at a scheduled time, finish their designated tasks and leave once they are done.
Now, while hiring a housekeeper, you need to be clear on whether you want live-in help or a part-time alternative for essential tasks only. Hiring a helper full-time can be beneficial and convenient for people who have servant quarters or an empty spare room. Most homeowners prefer to hire help on a part-time basis though.
How to Hire a Housekeeper for Your Home?
Trust is key when you are letting someone enter your home and giving them access to your personal belongings. Thus, referrals work best while hiring a housekeeper. Ask your trusted neighbours as well as your family and friends if they can refer a helper to you.
Factors to Consider When Hiring
Once you hear back from your loved ones and have the names and contact details of a few potential housekeepers, here is what to consider while hiring a housekeeper:
Identity
If you’re waiting for someone to show up at your door for a job as a housekeeper, the first thing you should check is their identity. They must have a valid CNIC with them, even if they are accompanied by someone you trust. There have been many cases of mistaken identities of house help, leading to thefts and murders. Therefore, it is better to be extra careful about verifying the identity of the person you are trusting with your home. Ideally, you should not only verify the identity and character of the potential candidate but also get them registered at your nearest police station.
Age
Many households prefer to hire young helpers, as they are more energetic. However, hiring minors comes under child labour, which is a criminal offense and should always be discouraged. Ideally, your hired help should be above 18 years of age.
Hygiene Practices
If you are hiring someone to clean your home, it is essential for them to follow proper hygiene practices. This includes washing their hands after sweeping and dusting, and before ironing, folding clean clothes, and helping with the cooking tasks. The help you hire must also be clean themselves and not have any bad habits like chewing tobacco or smoking.
Health Concerns
Health issues are a part of life. While minor aches, pains, and viral colds are not a matter of concern, you must make sure that the housekeeper you are hiring is not a carrier of any infectious or dangerous disease. This is especially important if you are hiring someone to cook for your home or to look after your kids, as the disease might spread to you and your family.
Personality
Even when the helper is recommended by someone you trust, it is essential to conduct a short but direct interview. Ask about their background, figure out if they’ll be working with you long term, and notice how they’re eyeing your house. All of this can tell you if they are the right fit for your home.
Trial Period
Regardless of how experienced a candidate is and how closely someone’s trusted them in the past, they’re working with you now. Therefore, only you should decide whether you want to hire them as a housekeeper. Ideally, schedule a short trial period where the housekeeper can get accustomed to the work, and you can also decide whether you are making the right decision.
Salary
Make sure that you pay your housekeeper as per the tasks you want them to do and the number of hours for which they will be at your service. All hired help in Pakistan gets a few days off work in a month to visit their family and friends, so keep that in mind as well.
Terms and Conditions
Regardless of whether you want to hire a full-time housekeeper or are just looking for someone to help you out a few days in the week, it is vital for you to communicate your terms to the potential candidate. Some of the terms and conditions might be related to:
- Asking for salary in advance
- Un-informed absences
- Coming late to work
- Demanding a raise
- Unwillingness to work
- Bringing relatives over
- Incidents of theft
- Respecting your privacy
- Liability for damages
- Using your personal belongings
If you’ve taken all the above factors into consideration while hiring a housekeeper, then you are bound to find one that is right for your particular household chores.
