Dishonest Dominican workers?????

[2ndVida]

The broad Picture

Back to the post that started this thread:

Some of us are here for a better quality of life. We understood prior to arriving that we could have more for less. When hiring help there are things that we should all do, things we would do in our own countries. Prior to hiring, I visited her home, got a copy of her cedula, etc. I was clear on what needed to be done, the time to do it, and never take anything without asking. All up front. The rest was gravy.

There are many good, honest people here in this country and I have been amazed seeing this. They want an opportunity to make a honest living, pay their bills and live life just like you and me. If we do our due diligence, we minimize the risk for future problems.

 

[william webster]

The treatment of staff is a tightrope.... close but not too close,personal but not too personal. Companion but not friend..
Very hard to define.
Ultimately, its your own comfort level that will dictate the routine and the outcome.

My 90 year old mother has had the same woman for 40 years... getting a little "iffy" now.... when asked about it, her response is "40 years? It's a credit to both of us!"

Lamada expressed it well..... but she expresses better than most.(insert gracious bow here)

Our in-house woman in Cabrera does the cleaning chores and cooks when asked.... always gets the leftovers

When we arrived last November,after a gap of many months, she waited for days until I put on a certain pair shorts.
She had found about 400 pesos in those shorts at the wash when we left however long ago and put the money back in pocket for me.

Until she asked me about the pocket, I hadn't found the money.... she was delighted to surprise me.... is it a "sorpreso"?

Yes, we give little loans to some of them , now and then , sign a bit of paper to make it somewhat official.

All in all, it contributes to the local community and I think gets some respect from the locals.... we have had no security problems (strike me dead for saying that)

The general decency of the indigenous population is very impressive...... as noted in this thread.

WW

 

[whirleybird]

I used to have a 'cleaning lady' twice a week, for just a few hours, when living in the UK whilst I worked extremely long and busy hours as manager of a newspaper. I felt I could afford the luxury of not having to do all the housework (which I have always disliked!).

Here in the DR, we have a farm worker (very necessary on a 'finca', albeit quite small), his partner is our house worker a few days a week and we also have a garden worker. I term them all as 'workers' because that is what they do - they work and we pay them for their work = mutual respect for an employer/ employee relationship. In addition to their wages for their work, they have a home here on the finca - not luxurious but safe and secure with running water and electricity supplied by us so they feel quite 'rich' in their benefits.

My opinion is that, whilst they may be slightly envious that we have a larger and more 'posh' home with more equipment and luxuries, they have no in-built jealousy and therefore are very accepting of their position which means that they have respect, as do we.

Yes, we are lucky but, as in many instances, I think it is all down to how people 'treat' each other which determines the levels of success in any given situation where employers and employees are concerned and, to me, this applies just as much with domestic workers as it does in big business.

 

[Chip]

I stand by what I said Chip. Social classes in developing countries are much more rigid than in developed countries.

As a matter of fact, as I read it on the board, most of us tourists would have no problem drinking a beer with a motoconcho, while a middle class dominican would never do it. The same way most Dominican would not befriend their household help.

I don't necessarily approve it, but, again, that is just the way it is.

I see what you are saying - that Dominicans are classist. I agree.

However, I'm saying that one shouldn't assume that the particular relationship that emplorers have with employees here shouldn't be assumed to be a product of classism.

 

[Chip]

Yes, we are lucky but, as in many instances, I think it is all down to how people 'treat' each other which determines the levels of success in any given situation where employers and employees are concerned and, to me, this applies just as much with domestic workers as it does in big business.

Yes in a perfect world where people appreciate good treatment.

This is how I have strived to be.. and yet our two instances of treating people like family instead of employees have been unsuccessful, to say the least.

 

[waytogo]

We have had two housekeepers and my wife made friends with the first one. She robbed us blind for an amount of almost US1000 by secretly entering my office with my wife's "hidden" key over two year. [/QUOTE

She stole for 2 years, at what point in time did you discover this, at the end of the 2 years? Did she admit stealing for 2 years or are you assuming she was stealing the whole amount of time she was employed. That's an awfully long time to go undetected.

 

[Africaida]

trying to understand

However, I'm saying that one shouldn't assume that the particular relationship that emplorers have with employees here shouldn't be assumed to be a product of classism.

What else could it be ?

 

[whirleybird]

Yes in a perfect world where people appreciate good treatment.

This is how I have strived to be.. and yet our two instances of treating people like family instead of employees have been unsuccessful, to say the least.

None of the world is perfect, Chip.

Treating people as family is, in my opinion, slightly overstepping the mark in the wrong way........ although it can feel comfortable (both ways) for a while, sadly, it doesn't last.

 

[Chip]

She stole for 2 years, at what point in time did you discover this, at the end of the 2 years? Did she admit stealing for 2 years or are you assuming she was stealing the whole amount of time she was employed. That's an awfully long time to go undetected.

Obviously we let he go after we caught her.

I recognized some money was missing in my office and I set a trap for her with my video camera on and hid some money in one of my "secret" places while we left on an "errand".

She spent no less than 20 minutes in my office going through all of my supposed "secret" places looking for money.

Then my wife tells me in the course of two years she bought a bedroom set, a refrigerator and a stove - on RD4000 a month. This with 4 kids and a drunk of a marido who drank everything he earned.

I don't think it's a stretch to think she was stealing for some time and that the amount is correct either.

 

[william webster]

Treating with "respect" might be a better way to say it.

Not condescending, or befriending..... respecting and expecting respect in return

Just a thought

 

[Chip]

None of the world is perfect, Chip.

Treating people as family is, in my opinion, slightly overstepping the mark in the wrong way........ although it can feel comfortable (both ways) for a while, sadly, it doesn't last.

I'm Catholic and have no problem doing what God has commanded. I have learned the hard way to treat at least some employees in a professional manner but I'm sure Jesus has no problem with this. It doesn't have to be bad.

 

[waytogo]

Obviously we let he go after we caught her.

I recognized some money was missing in my office and I set a trap for her with my video camera on and hid some money in one of my "secret" places while we left on an "errand".

She spent no less than 20 minutes in my office going through all of my supposed "secret" places looking for money.

Then my wife tells me in the course of two years she bought a bedroom set, a refrigerator and a stove - on RD4000 a month. This with 4 kids and a drunk of a marido who drank everything he earned.

I don't think it's a stretch to think she was stealing for some time and that the amount is correct either.

All in all, it sounds like she could have taken a lot more. At least you were smart enough to catch her in the act.

 

[william webster]

All in all, it sounds like she could have taken a lot more. At least you were smart enough to catch her in the act.

Catch her? She was baited and trapped.

Jesus would be proud.

 

[2ndVida]

Not difficult

Treating people as family is, in my opinion, slightly overstepping the mark in the wrong way........ although it can feel comfortable (both ways) for a while, sadly, it doesn't last.

Once you lose complete status as the boss, you have a problem. That goes for any kind of employee, anywhere in the world. Always maintain your status, and give respect. It will stay comfortable for however long you consistently maintain that balance. Remember, there is always exceptions to every rule but test it another way at your own risk.

 

[Fiesta Mama]

Once you lose complete status as the boss, you have a problem. That goes for any kind of employee, anywhere in the world. Always maintain your status, and give respect. It will stay comfortable for however long you consistently maintain that balance. Remember, there is always exceptions to every rule but test it another way at your own risk.

This is true. A couple of years ago, I made the mistake of become too close a friend to my assistant. It ended up ruining our friendship and she is no longer my assistant. She lost respect for me as the boss and at times when I had to be the boss and make executive decisions about something, we were butting heads. I learned my lesson so I guess I can see what people are saying It was very difficult for me to deal with her on a business level after that because it changed our relationship to the point of not being able to work together anymore.

 

[pedrochemical]

I'm Catholic and have no problem doing what God has commanded. I have learned the hard way to treat at least some employees in a professional manner but I'm sure Jesus has no problem with this. It doesn't have to be bad.

All things bright and beautiful.

The rich man in his castle
The poor man at his gate
God made them high or lowly
He ordered their estates


Need I say more??

Jesus would have had a fit!

 

[william webster]

Another old adage

If Jack is as good as his master, why isn't Jack the master?

Don't start on this about born into slavery/priviledge, etc

Some people appreciate a certain structure to life and society

Do I see that in Dominicans?

 

[pedrochemical]

Another old adage

If Jack is as good as his master, why isn't Jack the master?

Don't start on this about born into slavery/priviledge, etc

Some people appreciate a certain structure to life and society

Do I see that in Dominicans?

Sorry my man, you are 200 years behind the times.
Jack, Jacques, Jacomo and Joaquin are easily as good as you and me.

 

[bienamor]

Catch her? She was baited and trapped.

Jesus would be proud.

What else would you have had chip do? I await your reply my oracle and it better be a lot better than your statment.

 

[william webster]

Sorry my man, you are 200 years behind the times.
Jack, Jacques, Jacomo and Joaquin are easily as good as you and me.

I did say it was an OLD adage...... you supplied the age ... thank you

I offered no opinion, just the saying... there seem to be some posters who are not in total disagreement w/the adage



BTW grammar.... as good as you and I - not you and me (easy to remember, just finish the sentence... "as good as me am" or "as good as I am")

No insult meant to your foreign friends... the J's