housekeeper info please

beachfront · #1 03-13-2006, 12:32 PM

after recently purchasing a place in caberrete. my partner and i are looking for a housekeeper...
her duties would entail...cleaning, keeping the place clean, cooking, waiting on guests, the usual stuff, and keeping an eye on the place when we are gone
i perfer not to have alive in ,just a daily women..

my question is about price. we are thinking of about 9 hours a day..say 8 to 5 or 9 to 6...

what is the normal criteria for hiring. the rules i should use, regarding, visitors, days off, food...etc. and what is a fair wage for a good housekeeper, thanks

Quinny · #2 03-18-2006, 02:22 PM

For full-time help, the typical wage is around 5000 pesos per month. We pay 350 pesos a day, which works out to be more but she's only part time. Also it is typical to pay one months salary in early december as a yearly bonus. Our housekeeper is free to eat whatever she wants, often times, she will just fix herself lunch. We also allow her to bring one of her kids while she's working. There are many housekeepers out there that are not very skilled (or motivated) so whomever you consider you should hire them for just a couple of days to test it out before bringing them on full-time.

HOWMAR · #3 03-18-2006, 03:14 PM

For legal obligations concerning domestic employees see:
http://dr1.com/legal/business/Labor_Law.pdf

beachfront · #4 03-18-2006, 08:53 PM

thanks quinny...yes the per deim seems to come quite abit higher...

i think she is asking about 5500 to 6000rd per month...ok i think...

what kind of hours does your girl work and do you give her any days off

as we are single guys, wink wink, having a child around would not be to good...however, i think she wanted to have her child there 1 day a week which isn't to bad...

i hope she can cook more than arroz con pollo

Criss Colon · #5 03-19-2006, 11:24 AM

I pay 3.500 because my wife is a Dominican,and wants to act like she is "Rich" and not appear "Cheap"!
My neighbor is a General in the Policia National and they pay 2,500 a month!
We live in Arroyo Hondo Santo Dominigo.Most "Gringos" pay too much,usually double the going rate!
You most likely will too!

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TorreCellini · #6 03-19-2006, 01:55 PM

I pay 3500 and she works 3 times a week and not even for an entire day.

Quinny · #7 03-19-2006, 03:02 PM

I think that legal document tells you the number of hours per day and per week as well as vacation time. With us - we share her with a neighbor so we don't really follow these guidelines fully. For us, if she gets all of her work done early, we send her home at like 3pm and also quite flexible if she needs to come late. I find that the more we are a flexible, the more loyal and the harder she works for us. It really is difficult to find someone that is honest, hard working and works in your best interest. If you are lucky enough to find that person - treat her well and you will have a fruitful working relationship going forward. Good luck.

Criss Colon · #8 03-20-2006, 08:29 AM

Unfortunately,Dominicans don't think like THAT! The Better you treat them,the more they abuse you! Let them go home early to get ready for a "Fiesta",they want to go home early everyday! If their "hours" are 8 to 5,there must be something for them to do! "Shareing" a maid is the absolute worst thing you can do! You are both being "screwed"!Pay them "Too Much",they think you are stupid,and that they are worth even more!
You do no one a favor,by overpaying,or treating a maid,gardener,nani,or any domiestic,like "Family"! They are just like children,set limits,uphold them,everyone knows their role!!

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Larry · #9 03-20-2006, 09:35 AM

I learned what CC says the hard way. When I moved here I moved into an apartment with a friend who has had the same maid for 3 years. She always would try to do the least amount of work possible and always had a sourpuss on. Me, thinking like an American figured, "hey, why dont we give her a small raise. I'll bet she would appreciate it and change her attitude". Well, we did and that was the WORST thing we could have done. Now she does even less.

Also, a building I go to everyday has a watchyman who sits at a desk. I would say "good morning" to him while everyone else just walked by him. I figured, "how hard is it to say good morning"? Well, one day, I had my hands full of things and had to fumble for my keys to get in. Instead of getting up to open the door for me, he sat there at the desk and watched me struggle for my keys. I had lowered myself to his level by being friendly to him so I was not important in his eyes and he did not have to jump up to help me. Again, I learned my lesson. Now, I walk by him and say nothing.

"Lower level" Dominicans such as domestic help, etc. dont appreciate you being nice to them. They take it as weakness. Forget generosity, it will get you nowhere. You just have to find your spot on the socio-economic totem pole and recognize who is below you and treat them accordingly. It's a shame but that's the way it is.

Larry

Quote:

Originally Posted by Criss Colon

Unfortunately,Dominicans don't think like THAT! The Better you treat them,the more they abuse you! Let them go home early to get ready for a "Fiesta",they want to go home early everyday! If their "hours" are 8 to 5,there must be something for them to do! "Shareing" a maid is the absolute worst thing you can do! You are both being "screwed"!Pay them "Too Much",they think you are stupid,and that they are worth even more!
You do no one a favor,by overpaying,or treating a maid,gardener,nani,or any domiestic,like "Family"! They are just like children,set limits,uphold them,everyone knows their role!!

CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC CCCCCCCC

Mirador · #10 03-20-2006, 09:58 AM

Larry, all your rant shows is that you have no character or authority. Your maid and watchman, or any other employee for that matter, are not expected to respond to social nicieties. They should be told clearly/strongly what is/not is expected of them in their job. You should have commanded the 'watchyman' to stand up and help you. The same goes for the maid... Sourpuss? maybe she didn't get the message that she should also amuse you...

Lazyness and lack of generosity cut across all socio-economic nitches, race, class or whatever...

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