Domestic workers need trust
FONTAINEBLEAU – Home owners and domestic workers must trust each other.
The trust between a domestic worker and his/her employer is vital.
So say Domestic Watch and South African Police customer service trainer Penny Steyn and Linden Police Captain Andries Makgae.
They spoke at a Making a Difference (Mad) Domestic Watch meeting at Fontainebleau Community Church on 20 January.
Domestic workers are entrusted by their employers to look after their homes during the day, Steyn said.
In return, domestic workers need to trust their employerrs to put measures in place to prevent them from being targeted for crime.
“Look after your employers and get them to look after you,” she said.
This includes ensuring panic buttons work, gates are strong and always closed, blinds are closed, and unidentified people do not enter the premises.
A domestic worker and his/her employer must communicate.
The employer must constructively criticise the domestic worker’s work, while the domestic worker must tell the employer about difficulties regarding the job, and ask any questions he/she needs to.
When an employer is angry and is mean to the domestic worker, it is because the employer is “emotionally leaking”.
This is alright, and domestic workers should try help the employer calm down.
Makgae said that many people lose their jobs because they are not trusted.
“Having trust also helps you feel good and you will work well,” he added.
Details: Fontainebleau Community Church info@fgk.co.za or 011 796 6800;
Penny Steyn psteyntraining@absamail.co.za or 011 783 8776.
