Kamal Ghorui
Hiring a house help is a big decision as a lot of things related to your daily life depend on it. From cleaning and cooking to baby-sitting and elderly aid, today house help is not only a luxury in modern India; it’s a necessity. With rising work pressure, busy work schedules and nuclear families. However, inviting someone into your personal space requires more than just a few questions. It’s important to ask the right questions before allowing a stranger in your private space. Here we have curated seven Right questions every person must ask before hiring a house help.What is your previous work experience?First thing first. Experience. It matters the most and we are not just talking in years, but in relevance. Ask the person where they worked before, what their household work was like, and responsibilities. Whether they took care of kids or just cooking or just cleaning. How many people they served. Also, it is important to understand what was the reason that they left their previous job. These questions offer an insight into the stability of the person. Can you provide references/police verification?Now, understand this is a non-skippable question. Always, like always, ask for references from previous employers. If possible insist on police verification, especially if you are living in a metropolis. A number of housing societies now mandate background checks. It’s important to prove the genuinity of the person.What are you comfortable with (exact duties) and working hours?It is important to clarify on the number of working hours and what are the exact duties expected. It’s better to ask before to avoid later conflict. Ask specific questions: Will you only take care of babies or also cook for them? Will you buy groceries and are weekends included? So get clear answers. Are you comfortable with household rules?Every house functions differently. Some families are strict about cooking techniques and some can’t compromise on hygiene and some prefer punctuality. Ask if the person is okay following your house rules. This helps in mutual respect and harmony.What is your salary expectation?Now comes the most important question. What’s your salary expectation? It might feel awkward, but it is of course essential. Discuss monthly payment cycles, festival bonuses and gifts, and annual increments so that there’s no confusion in the future. What’s your leave policy?Again, never say yes before clarifying this question. Leave policy like weekly offs, weekend offs, paid leaves, emergency leaves, and substitute arrangements are important to understand. Are you open to a trial phase?Ask the person if they are okay with one to two weeks paid-trial period. It allows you to assess and understand the quality, punctuality, and compatibility, which is important. During this time, observe their attitude, learning values, hygiene and overall behavior. Hiring a house help is an important decision. It’s important to take time and ask the right questions rather than rushing into it. A well-informed decision can lead to years of support.
