Finding The Right Helper

Hiring a live-in helper can feel like risky business, especially if it’s your first time. But even those who’ve gone through the process before can find it challenging – and complicated in the details.

For one thing, you may not realize that agencies charge the helpers a whopping fee, which the employer pays upfront. Then the helper takes monthly deductions from her salary to pay it off. It’s a hardship for the helper and usually ends up costing the employer a lot, too. Doesn’t seem very fair, does it?

Jennifer Yarbrough, an American attorney, didn’t think so either. Jennifer has a big heart and likes helping girls and women (she’s currently the Chair of USA Girl Scouts Overseas in Singapore). Feeling strongly that helpers here needed a little TLC, she opened a new maid agency that does things a bit differently.

White-Glove is the agency, and – you got it – it doesn’t charge the helper any fees. It also goes the extra yard by doing a little match-making. “We work really hard to make sure there’s a good fit between employer and helper, rather than just giving you the person who happens to be sitting in our office,” says Jennifer. “We only deal with transfer helpers, too, so we know they’re experienced. They know the lay of the land here in Singapore, how to take the MRT and that sort of thing.”

Perhaps one of the best things Jennifer does is use her lawyerly research skills to do thorough background checks above and beyond your typical agency. This includes a social media check, obtaining references from former employers if available, and collecting an extensive biodata to make sure she really knows the person she’s putting into your home. Jennifer also has lots of recommendations for finding the right helper in Singapore, and even publishes a guide to help employers choose.

A key factor