Where to Find a Maid ‑ Based upon the experience of the expatriates in Pattaya, there are three types of maids:

· A privately contracted maid you can find by asking your friends or acquaintances.

· Cleaning services offered through your condominium/estate. The services offered would vary depending on the management and the cost may be more expensive than for a private maid.

· For non‑routine cleaning and maid services you can find staff through a cleaning company.

Types of Maids ‑ Generally speaking, maids in this area are not live‑in, but you may prefer, if your accommodations are suitable, to employ a live‑in maid.

With Farang Experience - She has experience in working for foreigners. She can speak a little English, cook Thai and Western food, wash, iron, clean and look after your children. She may need your direction on how you would like things done and then may be capable of running your household.

Wages between B 4000 to B 6000 per month (6 days a week) plus overtime for babysitting.

Non‑Farang Experience - They have little or no experience with working for foreigners. They usually does not speak any English. They will be able to cook Thai food. They will be able to wash, iron, clean and look after the children. You may need to give her some guidance initially.

Wages between B 3000 to B 5000 per month (6 days a week) plus overtime for babysitting. Increased gradually according to her efficiency.

Part‑time Maid

Their responsibility is generally cleaning. They usually don’t speak English. They spend from a couple of hours to half a day at your house. Their cleaning duties vary, according to your requirements. Wages approximately B200 for 3 ‑ 4 hours per day.

Drivers :

Driving in and around Pattaya amongst baht buses and motorcycles can sometimes be hazardous. There are many expatriates who do drive, but some feel more comfortable with a driver. This is your choice, or in some cases, the choice of your company. Drivers are most often arranged through your company. If this is not the case for you then check with acquaintances or colleagues about a dependable driver.

Full-time Driver

Also known as 'family driver'. Salary is based on a six day week usually from 7am ‑ 5pm. A bonus may be requested for trips up‑country and late nights. Beware that overtime can sometimes double the salary.

Some advantages in employing a full‑time driver are: ‑ Simplify insurance procedure in case of an accident. ‑ Facilitate communication with other Thais.

‑ Knowledge of the area, and ability to run errands. ‑ Experience with the traffic and road rules.

- Maintains the car.

Wages between B 5000 and B 7000 and B 40 per hour overtime.

Part‑time Driver

Also known as 'husband driver'. He takes Mister to and from work, and returns the car to Madame for her to drive during the day. This type of driver usually does this as a second job before and after his main job therefore you should ask your gardener or staff nearby if they are interested. This arrangement is best suited for people not working too far from home e.g. Pattaya ‑ Laem Chabang or Ban Chang ‑ Map Ta Put Industrial Estate. Wages approximately B3000 per month.

GARDENERS AND GUARDS

Gardener ‑ If you rent a house with a garden, it is worthwhile considering employing a gardener. It can be a very time consuming job, as most vegetation grows quickly and needs plenty of watering. Minimum wage ‑ B120 per day

Guard ‑ Occasionally hired for night duty. Usually only employed in isolated areas. In some cases, if your gardener comes with the house, and is a live‑in, he doubles as a guard. He would usually be a local, and although he may sleep whilst on guard duty, he is known in the community which is to your advantage. If you wish to supply a simple uniform for your guard the approximate cost is B1000. Wages from a security company is approximately B 5000 per month. This is often shared with expatriate in the neighboring houses.

INTERVIEWS :

Decide what duties you require and the staff conditions you are prepared to provide. If employing several staff, consider the compatibility of the individuals. With maids and drivers, ask if they are prepared to work overtime if needed, and could they be flexible with their day off, if required.

General Requirements for all Staff :

· Is it necessary for English to be spoken?

· Have they worked with expatriate before? Ask to see any references.

· How many hours do you require?

· How many paid public holidays and leave‑days will you allow per year?

· What wages and overtime rates are you prepared to pay?

· For live‑in staff, do you cover their medical expenses?

· Can live‑in staff use your kitchen and laundry facilities for their own use?

· Are you prepared to provide food for live‑in staff, and lunch for full‑time day staff or do they provide their own food?

· Fix commencement date and state trial period

Specific Requirements for Maids

· Is she a live‑in or live‑out maid?

· Is she prepared to do overtime and is she able to provide for any specific requirements e.g. staying over to take care of children when you go away?

· If she is to shop for you, is it necessary for her to keep a record of expenses?

· If part of her duty is to cook, can she cook Western food?

· Discuss wages

Specific Requirements for Driver

• What is his driving experience?

• Explain his duties, maintenance and cleaning of the vehicle.

• Is he prepared to do overtime?

• Is he responsible for refueling the car, and do you require a record of receipts?

• If you want to visit Bangkok, is he familiar with the roads?

• Explain conditions eg car is not for his personal use,

and stipulate no alcohol or smoking whilst on duty.

• Discuss if you require him to perform other duties eg handy work, gardening.

• Discuss wages.

Fix commencement date, subject to a check on ID, licence validity.

Specific Requirements for Guards

• Explain the hours you require.

• Explain whether he is to guard the entrance/patrol the perimeter.

• Ask if he has other employment; if so what hours, and when he sleeps.

ONCE EMPLOYED

It may take a little time for your new staff to become accustomed to your needs and requirements, especially if they have not worked for expatriates before. Be patient, speak quietly and give praise whenever due.

Formalities ‑ Photocopy the ID cards and driving license of your employees, and ask for an emergency contact number. You may wish your staff to undergo a health check, especially if handling children and preparing food, as Tuberculosis and Hepatitis 'B' are present in Thailand. If this is the case a blood test and a chest X‑ray are taken. X‑ray results are immediate but blood test results can take one week. If clear, the hepatitis 'A' and 'B' injections are given. It is your responsibility to pay for these medical costs. This varies from hospitals to clinics and costs from B2800. Your new staff may be able to suggest a clinic for the blood test and X‑ray, but normally the hepatitis injections are given at a hospital.

Inform your staff of a probation period, it is recommended that you give two weeks to one month probation.

Insurance ‑ In Thailand insurance is a relatively new concept. There is no public health system, and the Thai way is for the employer to contribute towards expenses incurred through accident or illness on or off duty. Whilst private health insurance is available in Thailand, it will not be affordable for domestic employees. By law, you are not responsible for covering your domestic staff's medical expenses incurred as a result of illness or off‑duty injury. However, if you chose to contribute, it would be most appreciated.

In the event of an accident occurring whilst on duty you could be subject to personal liability. The law regarding injury to domestic staff on duty is not well defined. It is therefore recommended that you purchase a Personal Accident Policy to cover your domestic employees. It is relatively inexpensive with premiums averaging 3% of monthly salary. Consult your insurance agent.

Salary and Conditions ‑ Wages are paid on a monthly basis for full‑time domestic staff and on a weekly basis for those part‑time. Drivers are paid on a monthly basis. A bonus of one month's salary should be given at New Year. Depending on your staff's performance it is customary to give a yearly increment of between 10% ‑ 20%. Overtime should be recorded and paid accordingly. It is not unusual for staff to ask for an advance on salary; for things such as an operation for either herself/himself or for a family member. This may be granted at your discretion. Drivers and full‑time domestic staff are entitled to two weeks paid annual leave per year, plus public holidays of which there are about fifteen.

It is up to you whether you pay sick leave. For pregnancy see "How to Keep your Staff'.

Drivers should be provided with a meal allowance for long trips (B20‑30 per meal), and an allowance for out‑of‑town overnight stays; this would include dinner and bed and breakfast.

Training ‑ It is important for you to spend some time in the first week or two with your new staff, to show how you would like things to be done. Make sure they that they understand. Nodding of the head is not a sign that they understand. It can mean yes or no.

· It may be necessary to physically demonstrate some duties and be prepared to repeat this from time to time. Many maids are hesitant in showing initiative, but respond well with direction.

· If you have children make sure that she understands your safety rules with regard to them. After two months of employment, one maid shocked Madame, by taking the four‑year‑old to the market on a motorbike.

Learning a few basic phrases in Thai would be of enormous benefit to both you and your maid.

Getting used to having a stranger in the house may be easy for some and difficult for others. Organize your time and space so that you are not constantly bumping into one another. For example, set aside a room where she can iron.

As long as the work is being done to your satisfaction, don't object when they take a short sleep sometimes. This is very normal to them.

If a task is not being done to your satisfaction, politely ask your maid to do it again. Avoid telling her that she has done a bad job, risking her 'loss of face'.

If you require your maid for baby sitting in the evening, allow her to go home early to have dinner and attend to her family, before returning to you.

If your maid becomes pregnant she will continue working until fairly close to the birth. Depending on how long she has worked for you, you may choose to pay or contribute to the hospital fees. Delivery in a Thai hospital will cost around B4000. It is her responsibility to find a replacement during her absence, which could be up to three months. Usually she will send someone from her family. Salary will be paid as normal to your maid although you may choose to give something extra for this period.

When your maid has a baby, make sure that she has someone to mind the baby for her, whilst she is working. Thai mothers tend to hold their babies constantly which could pose problems at work.

If you are using more than one maid (eg condominium service) make your requests direct to the maid rather than through a third party.

Some drivers are required to be available 24 hours a day. If this is the case, give some consideration to your driver's free time. They have families to see and need sleep. Plan time off/rest for them when you don't need them.

If you have a full‑time driver you will be spending a lot of time with him. Therefore, it is to both your advantages to establish a good rapport.

If you are disposing of clothing or household items, consider offering them to your staff.

If you are dismissing any staff for misconduct, such as theft, drunkenness, or gross incompetence, dismissal should be immediate, with wages paid to date. Make sure all keys have been returned to you.

It is not unusual to give one month's salary per year's employment as a bonus when you are leaving – if you have been very satisfied with your staff.

· For part-time Staff, notice of one week and payment to the finishing date.

· For full-time Day Staff, notice of one or two weeks and payment to that date or the end of the month.

· For Live‑in Staff, notice of one month and payment to the finishing date. This person will not only need to find other employment, but also alternative accommodation.