Wow, what a saga. My advice is be STRONG and be FIRM BUT FAIR. These maids are very good actresses...especially the ones that have been maids for a long time. For the lady with the experience of Mary's 15 years, unfortunately Mary knows the ropes and what buttons to push. For someone getting a maid for the first time....definitely go thru an agency. You then have a fall back in the case it doesn't work out, but use a reputable agency, not just someone out of the phone book. Start them on a minimum wage i.e. $350 pm or $400pm - take out some money for the first 3 months salary to the balance of $500 and put it in a joint bank account. That way if she breaks her contract - you can return her to the Philippines at her expense, not yours. That money stays put and is not released to her until she leaves your employment. If she turns out to be good, then it's a bonus for her and she's got $500 extra savings.
Always let her know the rules of your house and draw up a contract between yourself and her in writing so she knows what's expected of her and there can be no complaints later on. Things to be included could be...how many times you want the bathrooms cleaned, towels changed, that she's expected to cook the evening meal and work later when you are entertaining. She must have her hair tied back etc etc. You must always given them a curfew as to what time they are expected back on a Sunday. Your $5,000 bond is at stake - you don't want to lose it because she's got pregnant hanging out at one of their Sunday discos. Tell her what time she is allowed to leave and she must be back my whatever time you agree on - no compromise. They are good at making up stores and always seem to use Church as their excuse.
We had one that told us she was going to church and was chatting on-line with US marines.....very common I now hear.
As far as being Strong goes....let them know that you are the boss. You treat them politely, fairly and with consideration, but they need to know that you are the employer and they are the employee and if you keep this in mind there should be no problems. You can always ease up a little as time goes on, but don't let them dictate terms to you.
Suitable questions could be - Why are you looking to move jobs, what are your interests, what's the motivation for working here i.e. supporting family or here for a good time!!! Common Sense is a big plus if they have it and hygiene - they are doing manual work in a hot climate, you don't them sweating all over your dinner. Must showeer regularly (twice a day) including their hair and particularly their hands before handling food preparation.
The best thing you can do when you find someone suitable is to SHOW THEM HOW YOU LIKE THINGS TO BE DONE and don't assume they know. Everyone does things differently - don't expect what one family thinks is clean and tidy is what you think is clean and tidy.
And for the lady who had Mary -there is no way I'd pay a maid $600 per month and $200 food pm.....she's just taken you for a ride....there's not many people who would pay that. Often with maids they'll ask for a food levy and just send the money home and either not eat and get sick, or eat your food anyway.
They should be prepared to eat what you eat within reason....you may want to get it some of her favourite noodles or something she likes - apart from that check with her first that she'll eat western food.
Good luck.
