- Agree her duties, rest day and phone rules before she flies in
- She is entitled to 1 rest day a week; at least 1 a month must be taken, not paid off
- MOM requires 3 meals a day and a safe, private place to sleep
- Home cameras must be disclosed and kept out of her room and the bathroom
- Courts can impose up to 2 times the usual punishment for offences against a helper
Friends, a helper who stays for years is worth more than any appliance in your house.
And the families who keep their helpers that long usually do the same few things.
None of them are expensive.
Most of them are just talking... early, clearly and kindly.
What Should I Agree With My Helper Before She Arrives?
Sarah Magnus of Haven Hands Pte Ltd (EA Licence 25C3257) says a lasting placement starts before day one.
Settle these with her, through your agency, before she boards the plane:
- Her main duties and what comes first
- Your household standards and daily routine
- Which day she takes her rest day
- Handphone rules
- How she should tell you about a problem
How Do I Help a New Maid Settle In?
MOM itself warns that a new helper from a rural area may struggle with:
So show her everything, step by step.
Walk her through every appliance and house rule, then back it up with:
- A written task schedule
- Emergency steps she actually knows (who to call, where the first aid kit is)
- A walk around the estate on day one, plus the bus or MRT route she will use
- Short check-ins in the first few weeks
How Do I Give My Maid Feedback Without Upsetting Her?
Say it early and say it once, calmly.
- If she folds clothes you want hung, tell her on day three.
- Give exact instructions. "Wipe the stove top and the backsplash" works better than "clean the kitchen".
- If cooking needs work, cook the dish with her once.
- Correct in private. Never in front of guests or the kids.
- Thank her for the good stuff too. Out loud.
Give her some room as well.
Checking every small task tells her you don't trust her. Set the standard, then let her run her part of the house.
What Does MOM Say I Must Provide My Helper?
Respect is easier when the basics are already right. From MOM's employer guide:
Swipe left or right to see the full table on mobile.
| Area | What MOM requires |
|---|---|
| Rest day | 1 a week, day agreed together. If she works it, pay at least 1 extra day's salary. At least 1 a month cannot be paid off. |
| Food | 3 meals a day. Don't force food against her religion or habits. |
| Sleeping area | Mattress, pillow, blanket, ventilation, away from dangerous equipment. Never in a room with an adult or teenage male. |
| CCTV | Tell her where cameras are. None where she sleeps, changes or bathes. |
MOM also says she should get a separate room where possible. If not, give her a corner that is clearly hers, and don't go through her things.
How Can I Respect My Helper's Culture and Religion?
- Ask about her food rules on day one, e.g. no pork, or no beef.
- Leave room in the schedule for prayer times and fasting months.
- Ask how she celebrates her festivals, and let the kids join in.
- Remember her birthday. It costs a cake.
What Happens If an Employer Abuses a Maid in Singapore?
Bad days happen to everyone.
If you're angry, walk away, cool down, then talk. If it's not working, call your agency to mediate.
The law is very clear about the alternative:
- Under Section 73 of the Penal Code, courts can sentence an employer, a household member or an agent to up to twice the maximum punishment for an offence against the helper.
- In 2018, the High Court in Tay Wee Kiat set a sentencing framework that made penalties for maid abuse harsher.
Final Thoughts
She lives in your home, far from her own family.
Clear expectations, regular chats and basic dignity... that's what turns a two-year contract into a helper who stays for years.
P.S. If Grandpa can adopt a god-daughter at the kopitiam, you can manage a "thank you" after dinner.
