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Independent Singapore
3 days ago
- General
- Independent Singapore
Maid guide for Singapore employers: How to talk and support your helper without drama and losing your mind (or hers)
SINGAPORE: So, how do you go from 'Where's the mop kept?' to 'Everything's under control, Ma'am'? The secret sauce to that, according to The Everyday People , is structured training, clear communication, and a healthy dash of patience. Hiring a domestic helper might feel like you've just added a superpower to your home life , but even superheroes need training, especially when they land in a household where the rules of engagement, the taste buds, and even the cleaning products are all unfamiliar territory to them. Photo: Depositphotos/ DragonImages (for illustration purposes only) It's no surprise that more than half of Singaporean households experience strain when it comes to managing chores and caregiving. These findings, as reported also in our numerous news stories in The Independent Singapore , underscore the need for smoother onboarding when a new helper joins your home team. 👂 First, get to know her backstory Before tossing her the keys to the rice cooker and the toddler, take a pause. What's her background? Has she handled kids before? Does she know how to work with elderly folks? Is she familiar with the dark magic of cleaning a glass hob without scratching it? Photo: Freepik (for illustration purposes only) Even if she's come through a reputable maid agency in Singapore, don't assume one-size-fits-all training. Customising the onboarding to suit your household is the equivalent of giving her a GPS instead of a paper map. 📋 Lay it all out — clearly and kindly Nobody likes being yelled at because they couldn't read your mind. Sit down together and outline the duties , including daily, weekly, and monthly tasks . Write them down. Better yet, print a cute checklist with emojis. That way, both parties know what 'clean the bathroom' really means (spoiler: it involves more than just a rinse). Photo: Vecteezy/Anusak Rojpeetipongsakorn Whether it's separating laundry, prepping lunchboxes, or wiping tiny fingerprints off the windows, clarity is queen. 🧽 Show how to do it, don't just tell Saying, 'just clean the fridge,' is about as helpful as saying, 'just build a car.' Instead, demonstrate the task: how you like the veggies arranged, which setting the washing machine goes on, and how to disinfect countertops without turning them into crime scenes. Photo: Depositphotos/ Kitzcorner (for illustration purposes only) Learning by doing is the golden rule. You're not just teaching chores — you're transferring culture, values, and preferences, and yes, even teaching your secret sambal recipe. 🔁 Feedback is a two-way street Encourage your helper to speak up. Maybe she's confused about a routine or struggling with a new gadget that looks like a spaceship. Maybe she's homesick. Photo: Vecteezy/Kanokpol Prasankhamphaibun Regular check-ins help identify blind spots early and show that her voice matters. When she feels heard, she's more confident. When you listen, you learn how to support her better. Win-win. 🎓 Call in the pros If the learning curve looks more like Mount Everest, don't panic. Singapore offers a buffet of professional maid training courses. From first aid and baby care to whipping up meals that would make Gordon Ramsay nod in approval, these programs can fill in the gaps. See also Maid wants to stay in SG after employer cancels her Work Permit Photo: HIH/Help is Here Some maid agencies even offer refresher classes or targeted sessions to match your household's specific needs. Think of it as 'Helper 2.0'. 💛 Create a home for them, not just a workplace Your maid didn't just switch jobs — she moved countries, cultures, and comfort zones. Simple gestures go a long way. Praise her when she gets it right. Eat meals together, even if just occasionally. Invite her to join family outings (if she's comfortable). These aren't perks — they're pathways to trust. Photo: Vecteezy/Anusak Rojpeetipongsakorn Because once she feels safe and respected, she'll give you her best work, and that's when magic happens. 🛠 Tap into agency support The best maid agencies in Singapore don't disappear after the placement. They're there for the long game. If you're facing persistent issues or are unsure how to handle a training hiccup, give them a call. Many offer post-placement services, additional workshops, or even mediation if things get tense. Photo: Unsplash/tommao wang Treat them not just as middlemen, but as part of your support team. 📌 Pro tips for training success If you want to make the process even smoother than a steamed chee cheong fun, then try these tips: Break complex tasks into bite-sized steps Use clear, simple language ; add visuals or consider translation if needed Be consistent with routines and instructions Set realistic timelines for learning Leave printed or pictorial instructions around the house for easy reference 🏡 Training builds harmony Helping your maid adjust isn't just about delegation — it's about collaboration. With the right mix of hands-on training, open communication, empathy, and professional support, your helper can evolve from just being a 'new hire' to becoming your 'household's most valuable player or MVP' in no time. Remember: a well-trained, happy helper means fewer hiccups, more harmony, and possibly even the occasional home-cooked surprise waiting for you after a long day at work. Photo: Vecteezy/Kanokpol Prasankhamphaibun And if you're in the early stages of hiring or just welcomed someone new, here's your cue: Don't just expect her to know what to do. Train her. Support her. Respect her. It'll really pay off in chores done well, and in creating a home where everyone feels safe, valued, and like they belong. And perhaps, with that kind of care and dignity offered, no helper will ever again have to feel the pain through their silent sacrifices captured in the below heartbreaking reality: Domestic helpers in Singapore: 'We left our own children behind to raise yours, but you treat us like second-class citizens, without even basic dignity.'
Independent Singapore
23-07-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Beng who cooks: Black sheep home-based food businesses are destroying others' rice bowls
SINGAPORE: A TikTok video by Jason Chua, known as ' beng who cooks ' on social media, recently went viral, with Mr Chua opining that home-based cooks are 'destroying other people's rice bowl.' 'It's not fair for a lot of other F & B owners,' he said in his July 22 (Tuesday) clip. @bengwhocooks Good for consumer. Bad for owners rice bowl. ♬ original sound – BengWhoCooks – BengWhoCooks He went on to explain the many challenges that F&B owners face in Singapore, including having to comply with hiring requirements pertaining to the number of locals and foreigners. Even when one is able to hire, say, a Malaysian worker, they can leave any time, he added. In contrast, home-based cooks are not subject to these requirements. Those who have helpers already living in their homes may ask them to do the washing up. F&B owners also have to meet other requirements, including fire safety, pest control and tenancy agreements, all of which cost money. Home-based cooks, meanwhile, only need to ensure food safety. Moreover, he claimed that there are home businesses that are now 'doing it bigger than some cafes and restaurants, which is very unfair for them.' Mr Chua captioned his post with ' Good for consumer. Bad for owners' rice bowl.' When The Independent Singapore reached out to Mr Chua to comment further on the video, which has had over 105,000 views, he told us that he does support some home-based businesses. But, he clarified, he is against those who abuse and exploit loopholes in the system and make it the main source of their income. He acknowledged that there are home-based cooks who cook part-time to earn extra income in a country as costly as Singapore — people in special circumstances, such as caring for young children or the elderly. He underlined that he has no issues with them. Mr Chua also referred to a recent article in 8days where a former restaurant owner voiced speculation about a private diner in a terraced house that earns more than S$1 million a year, while not being subject to taxes and other regulations. 'There are black sheep that destroy the culture,' he told us, expressing concerns over the future of the F & B industry in Singapore, where many business owners are suffering. In 2024, Singapore saw the highest number of restaurant closures in two decades, with 3,047 shutting down. This year, 1,404 food businesses folded between January and June. Many commenters on his post, especially those who are also in the industry, agreed with Mr Chua. Others, meanwhile, expressed solidarity with him and support for F & B operators. 'Agree, bro. I have been an FNB owner for 6 years. I think on the view of all these loopholes or lack of. They should be paying a certain amount of tax, subject to an annual home-based business renewal fee that SFA can charge. Screen their house and pay for registration for SFA screening, like submit kitchen layout, etc., registration fees like a few K, since they have no rental and other costs. Gov can create new laws to collect money anyway. So barriers of entry are lower, less disruptive to the industry,' wrote one. 'A bsolutely agree!! I'm a cafe owner and we absolutely do not support HBB. Rental free, manpower free, tax free. We spend so much to get a license and maintenance. All these HBBs have it easy and they don't understand what we are going through,' contributed another. /TISG Read also: 'Beng who cooks' stall provides 50 to 60 meals to those in need every day
Independent Singapore
18-07-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
In profile: Miki Hay on motherhood, business, and why women can have it all
SINGAPORE: No doubt about it, women today face a lot of challenges, what with the need to juggle the demands of motherhood with the pursuit of a satisfying career. However, according to one Singaporean woman who has led a successful business through not one but two global crises for more than two decades while raising three children, women can have it all. When Miki Hay, the founder and managing director of the events company HDFX Pte Ltd , sat down with The Independent Singapore (TISG), the whole vibe was alive with possibility. Her spirited, dynamic character was more than enough to make believers out of us. Ms Hay answered our questions gamely, and our conversation was peppered with bursts of laughter and frequent nods at her nuggets of wisdom. It's hard to believe that she's been in the business of events for the past 22 years, as she had so much freshness, and her energy was infectious. 'I'm adventurous,' she told us with another laugh, 'and I'm actually quite a rebel.' All this, in light of what she's been through, is doubly admirable. The business owner's background is in finance, which meant that the global financial crisis that began in late 2008 made perhaps a bigger impact on her than on others. See also B.I., former member of K-Pop group iKON admits to drug charges But if anyone tends to see the silver lining among the clouds, it's Ms Hay. She told us that weathering that crisis prepared her and her team for when the COVID-19 pandemic rolled around a decade later. 'It made the Covid crisis less difficult,' she told TISG. Another crisis, a far more personal one this time, came about after her second pregnancy, when postpartum depression hit hard. The fog began to lift after a friend began praying with her, for which she is very thankful. 'That was the first miracle,' said Ms Hay. 'The second one was having the vision to keep on going.' She has also developed a philosophy for getting through hard times: 'There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Keep walking, and the light will come. The tunnel will end.' As a result of making it through crises, she and her team at HDFX aren't just standing but thriving. The business has since expanded into Myanmar and has plans to go into markets in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, and the Philippines. Ms Hay's adventurous spirit took her out of the four walls of finance and into the world of event planning, which takes her out of the mundane. With event planning, it's impossible to get bored, as there's always something new. Even for clients that she's had since 2003, the challenge is coming up with something fresh, which pushes HDFX to do more. In her own words, 'There are no limits.' As for HDFX, something new for them is the CSR initiatives they're looking into in Myanmar after Ms Hay paid a visit to an orphanage in that country. She'd like to help with programmes that would make sure children such as the ones she met have not just food and potable water but a good education. Because she's been given so much, she wants to take the opportunity to give back. This mum of three believes in the value of hard work. After all, in her industry, people pull in 12 to 16-hour days, sometimes seven days a week. When kids, aged 10, 11, and 16, reach a certain age, they have to come and work for her company (her oldest son has already started), no matter what marks they bring home. 'Poor grades don't excuse them from working; they'll just have to find the time to study harder,' she told us firmly. When asked if her long working hours make motherhood a challenge, she was thankful for the privilege of owning her own company, which means she can manage her own time and be there for her offspring. And so, yes, Miki Hay believes women can have it all. 'We just have to believe that we are enough,' she added. /TISG Read also: Women's group 'Tinted Wateva' helps brown Asian women grow their businesses
