household staff pregnancy

**SimonCE** · 30-11-09, 19:36

Now I know a few people will read this thinking the worse given the thread title, but what I am after is advice to what the norms are (supposing there is such a thing) when one of your household staff is pregnant (and no, not by you, but by their very Indonesian, very much husband!!).

I guess there are a few issues around how long for them to take leave, how long you pay them on leave, and what to do when they come back - I know some people in houses seem to have the whole extended family out the front looking after kids so Mum can still breastfeed while working etc but as we are in an apartment that is not going to be so much of an option.

Anyone been through this?? What seems to work well??

**Puspawarna** · 02-12-09, 13:19

I think the law says (others can jump in and correct me if they want) that women are entitled to 3months paid maternity leave, starting from 1 month before their due date. If you can afford that it would be the nice thing to do.

As for what you do while she is gone, she may have a friend she could train to take her place while she is gone. Of course, the friend will need to be paid too, so if you are on a budget paying two full maid salaries may be a bit of a hardship. But you may be able to work something out like paying the replacement a lower salary and/or not paying a full salary for the original maid while she is on leave.

Be prepared to be asked for one or more large loans to cover expenses such as the midwife, 40-day parties, etc.

**bulegirl** · 02-12-09, 18:59

My Indonesian In-laws had a maid who was pregnant...she didn't tell them until 5 months when they found out themselves

they gave her 2 months in advance leave with pay, paid for her hospital fee ( kampung hospital doesn't cost much ) and I think she has another 3 months to see if she wants to come back on paid leave!

that's because she is been with them for so long...however some people just pay a month leave, hospital fee and off they go!

might be safe to go with what the law requires 3mnths paid leave. keep some money aside for hospital fee...it's common to pay that. it is under half million Rupiah..this is kampung hospital ofcourse!

as for the big loan ...well , just make sure she doesn't borrow big chunk of money and make up some story afterward, like I have to go back to my town...you will never see her again!

**SimonCE** · 03-12-09, 18:25

Thanks both!

**waarmstrong** · 03-12-09, 20:01

Let us know how you handle the situation and the outcome, Simon. I don't think its that uncommon, meaning I could be facing the issues down the road. The benefit of your advise could be needed and would be appreciated.

**SimonCE** · 05-12-09, 07:10

Will do. At the moment she is just 10 weeks pregnant, so it is only in our thoughts as she is a bit sick now with first trimester morning sickness, hopefully she will find the next trimester easier going as seems to be the usual case. But yes, we are mostly thinking about what we do from say April/May next year, but also in case she does have a pregnancy which makes her unable to work, then what we do now.

She is excellent, and we do want to keep her and do what is "right" as well (legally and otherwise) so will play it by ear for a while and update the thread as and when we do actually need to go to Plan B!

If anyone else has some experience in the meanwhile which is different to the other posts do let me know.

**Captain** · 05-12-09, 13:11

I think situation is very different if this staff has been working for you for a few years or if it is just a few months.

Obviously if this is a good staff who have been working for you for a long time, I would (reasonably) pay for everything but still ask her if she intends to come back and perform her duties normally and how she would handle the situation with a new born ? Maybe she would be prefer to get hospital fees + a good bonus and stop working, it is better for you to know now but I would let her choose.

Is she live in or live out and if she is live in do you mind to have a family with a new born living in your house ? Where do live the grand Parents ? Will they take care of the baby ?

If that would be new staff such as less that 1 year (but I can see that it is probably not your case), I would probably just terminate her contract immediately.

**waarmstrong** · 05-12-09, 14:28

Originally Posted by Captain

... I would probably just terminate her contract immediately.

Harsh. I assume you mean terminate her employment rather than "contract." If one actually had some sort of domestic employee contract that was not unconscionably one sided, it would likely provide for a more humane severance arrangement -- even for short timers.

In the USA terminating an employee due to pregnancy is unlawful sexual discrimination. Perhaps one day Indonesia will have such an eminently reasonable law and will enforce it in household employment situations.

**Captain** · 05-12-09, 16:53

Yes in the US maybe but under Singapore law, if a maid gets pregnant, she will get repatriated immediately even you like her or not.

The purpose of hiring a maid is to share your household chores right? If she is pregnant, she cannot do it and that's all !
However, as I said I make a big difference between good staff who have been working for yr family for years and deserve gratitude and financial help if he/she gets sick, pregnant or have proven difficulties and... a new staff who get pregnant/sick/need loans after a few months.
Fact is that we have many staff in our house and very few turn over, seldom problems or request. Even recently 2 formers employees called in order to come back so we should not be that harsh but I am convinced that staff should not see you as Santa Claus !

**waarmstrong** · 06-12-09, 11:13

If a maid in Singapore is a native, what then? Bad laws in other jurisdictions, IMHO are not good cover. Employers of domestic help are not, although they may see themselves as such, royalty. A maid, as does any employee, has a right to reasonable treatment and reasonable terms of employment. Summary dismissal for pregancy is not reasonable.

Incidentally, millions of mother would be surprised to learn that pregnancy is a disability that makes them unable to perform domestic chores.