This is to alert every one seeking full time maid services - We had appointed a maid from Karkala (Mrs Devaki Moily) thinking that she is from our native place and would be reliable. We were in urgent need for full time maids as I am expecting and agreed for a salary of Rs 8500 per month. She was quite good for the first 2 weeks after which she started demanding financial benefits such as mobile phones etc. Day by day she started demanding more emotionally and financially . I am working and can hardly make time for any one including my husband. She had complaints that I am not spending much time with her. She was expecting me to chit chat with her with when I was working from home and never let me rest at peace when I was advised 2 weeks complete bed rest due to some initial complications. She even had complains about my husband coming home late (which I have not cared for years !) . I had ignored all these things thinking that I am over-reacting to the situation, but never gave a servant like treatment to her - She had all the freedom to sleep when ever and how ever long when she wished, she had a good bedroom with complete privacy and comfertable bed, we let her eat what ever she wanted from the fridge, go where ever she needed, watch Tv when ever she wanted. I even used to give her oil massage during weekends. We also used to take her out along with us when ever we could , during weekends and shared our drinks with her. In a span of 2 months, we have sponsored her travel to Karkala 4 times due to various reasons setting an expectation that this would be deducted from her salary. However, last time after she left, she never turned back and she has not been responding over phone. After trying hard to reach her (using alternative mobile), she started complaining that she was not being entertained emotionally and we had kept a track of her advances (so not treating her like a family member !) . She even refused to pay back our advances and after a long followup she agreed to pay back in a span of 1 month (which we are yet to observe). I am now 5 months pregnant and am left without any support with a big shock. This has been a very big lessons learnt - a. Maids should be treated like maids - They can never be a family member, even if they are from your own native b. Expectations should be clear when it comes to financial benefits and conduct. c. There should be a clear limit set for advances . d. Personal matters should never be discussed with maids and their level of influence should be limited to the work for which they are appointed for.
