Today there is no news regarding politics or any other field, which I feel, deserve the place in my blog with my views/opinin on the same. So today I am going to write on some general topic.
In the present times where we find old people living alone or as a couple, as their children are not living with them or they are living in some other city or even overseas. In these circumstances use of hired help becomes unavoidable. The help could be in the form of housekeepers or maids for cleaning and dusting, cooks, gardeners etc, in some cases driver also. In the big cities hiring these kind of helpers become troublesome. So today’s topic is ‘ Keeping Safe with Hired Help.’
Normally the general practice is, people pick up these help from the neighbourhood area, through some known contacts like from another known household. This gives some safety and comfort since the person is already known to someone, whom we know..
However this may not be such a good practice, as there have been many cases, wherein the house helps has committed or aided in criminal activities like stealing, kidnapping and ransom, or even murders. So, a better way may be to hire through certain agencies that provide hired help. These agencies are expected to do necessary checks before providing you with the hired help. However here too, if you depend on some fly by night operators, you may end up in soup, as many do not follow the stringent guidelines prescribed by local police.
So then, how one can be sure about the people we hire, for entering our homes, and in some cases live 24 hours with us. For that by ensuring that we follow certain checks without fail. If hiring through any agency, then it is better to discuss with agency about how they source their staff, and do the necessary background check on the person as dictated by the police. This might confirm that person is a genuine one, with a proper address, and can be traced in case of any issue. Secondly a background check can also establish, whether the person had any previous criminal activity, and about what nature etc. If the agency is maintaining record, you may talk to previous employers , to understand and take feedback on the person’s way or working etc. It is important to ensure that agency is making serious and responsible job in providing you with the help.
In case you are not hiring through an agency and have taken someone through other known channels, please get the details from the hired person. In some cities police are requesting you to submit the details of the hired help, with the local police station. Some times people use outside agencies to check the background of the hired help. These agency charge their fees to make sure that perdon is right without any unwanted issues in the past. Since these people will become part of your everyday life, it is important to take necessary precautions. It is always to be safe than sorry later. This is not to say that people who have clean record may not do anything unwanted.
Now if the person is from the same city, area, you may get the details of the person, and try to pay a surprise visit to check the required details. Ask them for thjeir contact address, telephone numbers, and contact details of any other person from their family. Unless you get comfortable and find the person to be fully trust worthy across a period, do not let down your guard with the person. Watch out for money and costly items in the house, keep an eye on if the person is cooking to see is they mix something in your food etc. Do not leave the house alone with the person, and be careful when you leave your vehicle keys with the driver. The driver should not misuse the vehicle behind your back. Also, do not reveal any personal information about yourself, your affairs, your money matters or travels to these people, unless necessary and safe.
So with a little care, it is possible to stay safe and lead a good life with good hired help.
Waiting for your comments and views.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
23rd February 2021.
R. N. Mungale.
Hired help is a necessary evil.