They live in our homes and could tell the most scandalous stories about the goings-on there, should she ever feel so inclined. The nature of the relationship between a housekeeper and her employer is one that must be nurtured to the benefit of both the employee and employer. After going through a less than exhilarating experience with a housekeeper, complaining about it on Facebook and reading the many, many responses from other people who have been let down by housekeepers, it is apparent many people struggle with maintaining a mutually beneficial relationship with their housekeepers.
So tumultuous can the relationship between a housekeeper and her employer be that a lot of advice on how to manage the relationship well can be found online and in books. I came across a book titled, " Housekeeping Has Never Been So Good. A guide on D.I.Y Housekeeping" by Naledi Mpolokeng Mosaka and it made me realise that the key to a healthy relationship with a housekeeper lies in communication, setting clear boundaries and being clear on the job expectations. " There has been an outcry in the country about domestic workers who do not want to work, but expect to be paid at the end of the month. There are those domestic workers who prefer to work for expatriates rather than locals. Interviews are usually superficial and slip-shod, because vital and crucial information was not exchanged during the interview. Certain assumptions are made and expectations raised and when unfulfilled, trouble takes root..." reads part of the introduction in Mosaka's book.
