We parents know that it is a very challenging task in getting the right confinement nanny.
Reliability, attitude and whether nanny is pro-breastfeeding are the major concerns to all expectant mothers.
If my confinement lady needs to go back urgently due to unforseen circumstances, what should
I do?
Some Common Pitfalls to be cautious when hiring Freelance Confinement Nannies.
Selection Nannies Based On Friends Or Relatives Recommendations With good intentions, friends or relatives recommend a confinement nanny. “My friend had this Nanny and praised she is good, but it turned out to be opposite”. Why is it so? This is common as different family has different standard of expectations and requirements.
No deposit given, means freelance nanny is not oblige to turn up Booking base on words without deposit given, means commitment does not exist, nanny can decide not to come at the last minute.
Your deposit paid is not guaranteed This is a worst scenario, when someone else offer a higher rate, freelance nanny can decide to drop you without even letting you know until when your confinement is to start. Or it could be that she is still tied up with her other assignments. And you get panic at the last minute and additional stress will be added to you, as you become a debt chaser for deposit you have placed with her. Many a times, deposit is not retrievable.
Working Attitude?
As parents are the one who seek for confinement services directly from freelance nanny through recommendation, often nanny felt that mothers need them so much and nanny’s ego tend to grow big. This caused nanny not being able to be sensitive to mother’s need, instead freelance nanny may force her way, her traditional confinement practice of do and don’t on new mums causing stress and discomfort in the family.
There is no proper system of feedback, monitoring and supervising and support from a company, thus freelance nanny can be domineering.
Mummy says, 'Freelance Confinement Lady has the right to say.'
Risk Factor As she is your ONLY ONE freelance nanny, you must be mentally prepared for the many ‘IF’, half way during your confinement :
if she falls sick.
if she needs to leave due to personal reason at home.
if she has attitude problem.
if she can’t get along with your other family member.
if she secretly smokes in your home and you found out.
if she wants to borrow money on her 2nd day of work.
if Ministry of Manpower’s officer knock on your door.
Employers' Guidelines: Illegal Employment/deployment -
Retrieve from MOM website
Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, employers can be charged for illegally employing or deploying a FDW.
Penalties for Offenders
The penalty for illegal employment without a valid Work Permit is a fine equivalent to between two and four years of the FDW levy, and/or imprisonment for up to one year. For subsequent convictions, the errant employer will face mandatory imprisonment.
Employers who illegally deploy their FDWs can be fined up to $5,000. In addition, the errant employer will be permanently barred from employing FDWs.
All these are real life happenings and the list can go on…
