Do you buy all your maids clothing? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Do you buy all your maids clothing?

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 July 2015 - 03:02
I am a maid but the family I work for the only clothes they buy for me is my uniform. the clothes i want to wear on my day off are my responsability and i do have to buy them myself
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EW GURU
Latest post on 05 February 2011 - 21:09
When our maid started with us, she wore her own work clothes, shabby t-shirts with worn out designs on them and frumpy capri type pants. I didn't like it as she looked tacky, like low class hillbilly women back in the States. So I went to Carrefour and bought her several sets of matching single colored cotton shirts and pants to wear around the house. When we entertain she wears the black ones. Its worked out great. We certainly don't buy her her own clothes.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 February 2011 - 01:07
What does it say in her contract? Am pretty sure that i have read it in my old boss's maids contract.... If it's not included then you don't have to provide it. I've already sacked her. She was useless!
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 04 February 2011 - 14:33
What does it say in her contract? Am pretty sure that i have read it in my old boss's maids contract.... If it's not included then you don't have to provide it.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 04 February 2011 - 14:30
Simple answer is No. I don't get a clothing allowance from my employers. I did offer her a uniform when she started and she said that she was more comfortable in her own clothes. Saying that sometimes when I see offers buy one get one free I do think about her.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 20:07
Shes having you on, she knows full well that shes not entitled to a clothing allowance. If she starts creating buy her a uniform. The more people pander to their needs the more greedy they get. You are expected to give them food and lodgings nothing else
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 20:04
I think we have to remember that some of us have maids to only do things like clean the house and not to entertain guests or take children out to the mall , so it will be different!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 19:48
NO way ! I may give her some occasionally when I am de cluttering but she is paid a good salary to look after herself and buy her own clothes ;)
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 19:45
IMO it depends on the package. I only provide my maid with a monthly salary, out of which she buys anything she needs for herself. My family back home on the other hand, provide their maid with a basic salary and then buy for her all she needs in terms of food, clothing, phone cards, etc. They typically buy for the maid a set of work clothes as well as a few smarter outfits for going out or for when there's a do in the house or if there are guests. Both ways work.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 19:37
I completely agree with AdviceSeeker on this. The maids we have had (3 in 6 years - all from Sri Lanka) have been paid a salary out of which we have made it clear that they need to buy clothing, food and their own personal toiletries etc. Sometimes, for holidays, or if I see a particularly great bargain, I will pick things up for the maid, but this is in NO WAY a term of her employment. I'm surprised at how many threads are about provisioning maids with clothes, phone cards, food, even personal hygiene items! etc. as it seems really important to establish these responsibilities when doing their contract. Do people just use a standard one and not discuss specific provisions with the maid? If you don't establish this stuff at the outset, you cannot blame them for trying to see what they can get out of you. I like !
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 19:27
I completely agree with AdviceSeeker on this. The maids we have had (3 in 6 years - all from Sri Lanka) have been paid a salary out of which we have made it clear that they need to buy clothing, food and their own personal toiletries etc. Sometimes, for holidays, or if I see a particularly great bargain, I will pick things up for the maid, but this is in NO WAY a term of her employment. I'm surprised at how many threads are about provisioning maids with clothes, phone cards, food, even personal hygiene items! etc. as it seems really important to establish these responsibilities when doing their contract. Do people just use a standard one and not discuss specific provisions with the maid? If you don't establish this stuff at the outset, you cannot blame them for trying to see what they can get out of you.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 19:04
I do not by my maid clothing, nor would I ever go out shopping for her.... I think its a ridiculous notion, you hire these people to look after you and the next thing you know, you're out shopping for them, cooking their food, making sure they're happy, checking if they need anything else.... the whole point of hiring a maid is to look after you, pay them a salary for it, and if you feel the need to give them extras, put together a budget, and give them some money to go shopping for clothes themselves! why should you have to go around shops bargain hunting, checking if its the right size/color etc for your employee... just give her the money and if she doesn't buy clothes with it, then thats her problem, don't give it to her again... Ypu are totally right in this one.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 18:43
Thanks ladiess. Some interesting responses. I found some track tops and jerseys (by chance!) in Geant for Dhs10 yesterday. Picked up a few items for her. I was very clear with her that I am not responsible for her clothing expenses as well. We pay our maids far too much here with so many benefits in any case. We even buy their sanitary napkins and I don't think we should be buying their clothing as well!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 15:04
nice perspective desertrose. i myself wouldnt trust my daughter in the care of someone with grubby looking maid with dirty nails. appearance of your maid dictates discipline and cleanliness enforced in the madam's home. i make my maid wear clean uniform each day. i also require them to bath each day and cut nails short. one time, my maid was in the play area with my kids. my maid told me the other maids there asked her if she was a Nurse as she was very neatly dressed in her scrub suit and sneakers. hehhe. however, i let them wear whatever they like when they go out on their day off.my own maid prefers to wear very tight fitting blouses whenever she goes on day off I always tell her she looks like a paratha or shawarma!
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 14:22
The maid is a representation of you, how she looks etc will be taken as an indication of your expectations for her and more than likely how you're perceived to treat her. edited by DesertRose1958 on 04/01/2011 This is a very interesting perspective and one that I had never thought of before.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 14:13
Just wanted to suggest that if you do choose to buy her clothes, HyperPanda has really good deals right now. Tracks and Tees for AED 10 each. And similarly, set of 7 undies or 10 socks for AED 10.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 January 2011 - 22:53
What I do for our maids is we buy them uniforms. But they choose what their work uniforms will be... be it those uniforms that generally all gulf families have their maids wear, or jalabiyas (the Arabic dresses), or be it simple knit shirts and pants... whatever three of these they feel most comfortable in. With any of these choices, you can get them for really good prices and hey, they are for working in so they don't need anything fancy. And for the cooler weather, of course some warm-up jackets and things like that. Then I also buy them a couple of going out outfits... what they can wear when we take them out or if they go out. Oh, we also buy them a week's worth of underwear, bras, and socks. As their uniform clothing, underwear, bras, and socks gets older of course then I buy them new ones. The only other extras they get is for the 2 Eids each year we buy them a new outfit as well. A couple of maids we have had chose to wear something they wore on a past Eid and purchase an outfit to save for when they eventually go back home (stuff they are not allowed to wear in our home)and we are fine with that. other than that, if they want extra clothes on top of that it is not our responsibility and they understand that. I agree with Purple that if I give hand-me-downs it is up to the maids what they want to do with them. <em>edited by Abaddon on 04/01/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 January 2011 - 09:27
well, they all try their luck! must say though, at least they try! anyway, check back your contract, in there it says wage + food that you are to provide. So give her the salary that includes the money for food/sundries. Tell her it is included or she can have wage excluding those and you use that $$ to buy her clothes.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 January 2011 - 08:50
Well... I think I'm the naive one... We never wanted nanny of our boy to wear uniform, since she's looking after a toddler she preferred sth more comfortable, so I decided to buy her stacks of t-shirts and track suit pants, as requested. Went silly at Debenhams and similar stores... Thing is - I only saw her couple of times in them and than she started wearing her own clothes, horribly old, stained, pyjama-type clothes. I also gave her lots of my old branded clothes and jackets - she showed herself in them few times and that's it.. no more... As someone mentioned - she probably has shipped them back home as they were really good quality clothes... :( :(( There really should be no sad smilies and defeated attitudes etc about this. Tell your maid you want her turning up to work looking smarter than she is now, that the clothes you bought her are what she has to wear. If after talking to her about the clothes she still doesnt wear them, assume they're gone and take her shopping to buy more - then deduct the amount out of her salary at the end of the month. If even then she still doesn't turn up wearing her work clothes, you really do have to ask yourself why your maid is allowed to stick two fingers in the air at you in your own home. The maid is a representation of you, how she looks etc will be taken as an indication of your expectations for her and more than likely how you're perceived to treat her. If you dont mind people thinking you have an far eastern version of cinderella sleeping under the stairs then let her wear her old clothes - otherwise be the employer and do something about it today. edited by DesertRose1958 on 04/01/2011 couldnt agree more! If I bought something for my maid to wear I would expect her to wear it. Different story with hand me downs that she is given, she can do with it what she likes as it would go to charity if she didnt take it.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 January 2011 - 07:49
Well... I think I'm the naive one... We never wanted nanny of our boy to wear uniform, since she's looking after a toddler she preferred sth more comfortable, so I decided to buy her stacks of t-shirts and track suit pants, as requested. Went silly at Debenhams and similar stores... Thing is - I only saw her couple of times in them and than she started wearing her own clothes, horribly old, stained, pyjama-type clothes. I also gave her lots of my old branded clothes and jackets - she showed herself in them few times and that's it.. no more... As someone mentioned - she probably has shipped them back home as they were really good quality clothes... :( :(( There really should be no sad smilies and defeated attitudes etc about this. Tell your maid you want her turning up to work looking smarter than she is now, that the clothes you bought her are what she has to wear. If after talking to her about the clothes she still doesnt wear them, assume they're gone and take her shopping to buy more - then deduct the amount out of her salary at the end of the month. If even then she still doesn't turn up wearing her work clothes, you really do have to ask yourself why your maid is allowed to stick two fingers in the air at you in your own home. The maid is a representation of you, how she looks etc will be taken as an indication of your expectations for her and more than likely how you're perceived to treat her. If you dont mind people thinking you have an far eastern version of cinderella sleeping under the stairs then let her wear her old clothes - otherwise be the employer and do something about it today. <em>edited by DesertRose1958 on 04/01/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 23:04
Well... I think I'm the naive one... We never wanted nanny of our boy to wear uniform, since she's looking after a toddler she preferred sth more comfortable, so I decided to buy her stacks of t-shirts and track suit pants, as requested. Went silly at Debenhams and similar stores... Thing is - I only saw her couple of times in them and than she started wearing her own clothes, horribly old, stained, pyjama-type clothes. I also gave her lots of my old branded clothes and jackets - she showed herself in them few times and that's it.. no more... As someone mentioned - she probably has shipped them back home as they were really good quality clothes... :( Silly us, buying her gifts for Christmas, Easters, etc - but we never get anything in return... not that I expect anything from her, but at least few warm words... She is paid very well and has her weekends off... Please ladies, don't buy them clothes... that will never be appreciated... :((
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EW GURU
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 19:01
I buy our maid's food & clothes. I use Splash & C4 & I take her with me to shop. Sh'e been with us for around 2 years, but she doesnt like to go out even during her weekend. I tried to encourage he to have friends & meet them on he days off, but she told me that she didnt come here to spend, & if she goes out she will not have much money to save. So, I buy her all her stuff & I take her out with us for dinner or shopping once or twice a week. She spends her off days in her room most of the time reading a book or watching TV.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 17:57
I do not by my maid clothing, nor would I ever go out shopping for her.... I think its a ridiculous notion, you hire these people to look after you and the next thing you know, you're out shopping for them, cooking their food, making sure they're happy, checking if they need anything else.... the whole point of hiring a maid is to look after you, pay them a salary for it, and if you feel the need to give them extras, put together a budget, and give them some money to go shopping for clothes themselves! why should you have to go around shops bargain hunting, checking if its the right size/color etc for your employee... just give her the money and if she doesn't buy clothes with it, then thats her problem, don't give it to her again... Problem with that is that she probably won't buy clothing and end up "feeling cold" again. I gave her Dhs200 the other day to buy her food thinking she would buy chicken, rice, potatoes etc. She came back with juice, bourne vita, lots of tiffany biscuits, powdered milk, chocolates and coke. Obviously cannot be trusted to buy clothing then? Don't know what she will be eating after the biscuits and juice get finished. well, I'm guessing your maid is an adult, and should be capable of looking after herself, if you want to go out and spend your valuable time clothes shopping for her, then thats up to you, however I personally wouldn't. I would give her the money, tell her the shops names and specially tell her that the money is for winter clothes, and its her responsibility, and not to complain if she feels cold because she bought the wrong clothes... its up to each individual to do what they want with their help, I just personally wouldn't.... She'll probably just send them home to her family anyway you may as well give her $ and save your time... ETA: How I would love to have a personal shopper, save me a load of time :) <em>edited by AdviceSeeker on 03/01/2011</em>
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 17:49
Sorry Servants Quarters, the criticisms I get are from other employers - as you provide (from what you state in your posts) everything - this was not directed at you obviously. However, I stand by my questions and my conscience - if you can stand by yours (which I infer is the case) then there is no reason for you or I to feel guilty or remiss if the maid pulls the "all the other madams" card. O I C No need for sorry, I could not understand what you were saying, that's all. Yes, I agree, just do what you do and no need for guilt.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 17:41
I do not by my maid clothing, nor would I ever go out shopping for her.... I think its a ridiculous notion, you hire these people to look after you and the next thing you know, you're out shopping for them, cooking their food, making sure they're happy, checking if they need anything else.... the whole point of hiring a maid is to look after you, pay them a salary for it, and if you feel the need to give them extras, put together a budget, and give them some money to go shopping for clothes themselves! why should you have to go around shops bargain hunting, checking if its the right size/color etc for your employee... just give her the money and if she doesn't buy clothes with it, then thats her problem, don't give it to her again... Thank you AdviceSeeker, I was just about to march down and ask the maid how she was for socks and undies! Her clothing situation had not really crossed my mind......
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 17:41
Thanks for the responses. I guess she needs some warm clothing for the winter so I will get some sweaters in a few days. Already told her to give me the numbers of the maids whose madams supply everything and her response was that she does not have them? hmm... i get the gist here! Anyway I will let her know that I am also not responsible for her entire wardrobe but will only give her some warm clothing once. thanks EW... i guess these ladies love taking us on guilt trips! I just wanted to suggest that you rig her out with winter clothes once and only enough to be seen as a start to her winter wardrobe. I would get her some camisoles/vests, 3 long sleeved t.shirts, and a couple of hoodies or jumpers/cardi's. I buy everything for my maids because they dont wear uniforms and its not fair to expect them to buy work clothes out of their money given how house-work can damage clothes. But the only time I would buy them going out clothes would be when we're travelling and different clothes to what they'd wear here would be the order of the day. AS for all the madams do it - its maids talk for the teenager of equivalent of all my friends mums let them do it!
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 17:37
I do not by my maid clothing, nor would I ever go out shopping for her.... I think its a ridiculous notion, you hire these people to look after you and the next thing you know, you're out shopping for them, cooking their food, making sure they're happy, checking if they need anything else.... the whole point of hiring a maid is to look after you, pay them a salary for it, and if you feel the need to give them extras, put together a budget, and give them some money to go shopping for clothes themselves! why should you have to go around shops bargain hunting, checking if its the right size/color etc for your employee... just give her the money and if she doesn't buy clothes with it, then thats her problem, don't give it to her again... Problem with that is that she probably won't buy clothing and end up "feeling cold" again. I gave her Dhs200 the other day to buy her food thinking she would buy chicken, rice, potatoes etc. She came back with juice, bourne vita, lots of tiffany biscuits, powdered milk, chocolates and coke. Obviously cannot be trusted to buy clothing then? Don't know what she will be eating after the biscuits and juice get finished.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 17:24
Sorry Servants Quarters, the criticisms I get are from other employers - as you provide (from what you state in your posts) everything - this was not directed at you obviously. However, I stand by my questions and my conscience - if you can stand by yours (which I infer is the case) then there is no reason for you or I to feel guilty or remiss if the maid pulls the "all the other madams" card.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 17:13
I do not by my maid clothing, nor would I ever go out shopping for her.... I think its a ridiculous notion, you hire these people to look after you and the next thing you know, you're out shopping for them, cooking their food, making sure they're happy, checking if they need anything else.... the whole point of hiring a maid is to look after you, pay them a salary for it, and if you feel the need to give them extras, put together a budget, and give them some money to go shopping for clothes themselves! why should you have to go around shops bargain hunting, checking if its the right size/color etc for your employee... just give her the money and if she doesn't buy clothes with it, then thats her problem, don't give it to her again...
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 16:56
C4 / hyperpanda are just fine. Approx Dh20 for a pair of jeans. Sometimes you get some lucky bargains.
 
 

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