Status after this long gap

I was traveling on an urgent personal matter. My maids were the best. Anu made sure she came everyday, the kitchen was clean and vegetables bought. Anu even watered my plants. Laxmi took a couple of days off but then that was expected. Kala came every day.

I was happy to come back to a clean house.

Laxmi is back again

OK so after seven days of uninterrupted absence, Laxmi is back with a biting-her-tongue expression.

"What happened"
"Mumbo-jumbo"

"See its so much trouble for me if you remain absent like this. If you get a better job, let me know, find a replacement and go. I will be happy for you. Will you do it again?"
"Yes, I will" :)

Anyway, she put her heart into her work and I let her. She said she wants to be the only person working for me. I was like, "Hello, aunty?! If you were the only one I would have to leave my job and focus on household work"

She made tea for both of us. Before she left, I gave her some lunch. I will ask her tomorrow how much money she made by selling old newspapers I gave her. I am just curious.

As for my plan to delay monthly payments for her, the decision still stands.

No Laxmi, no one else either

Well, Laxmi did not come the next day. I don't know why. I called another maid. She did not come either. I don't know why. So...I swept and mopped my home. It wasn't so tough...really! Maybe sweeping the house twice a week and mopping it once should be enough. I dislike cleaning bathrooms but hopefully I will be able to manage. My dishes and clothes are anyway being washed by Kala and Anu cooks. I might just decide not to employ anyone else. It seems like a good idea...at least for now.

New resolve

Tomorrow baihood will see a new me! I will spare no trick in the trade to be manage my battalion. It took me this long realize that there was a difference between managing an educated workforce and labor. So the new me, has made the following decisions:

• Salaries for the new staff will be given only after week 1 of the month (not the 1st day as I was doing earlier). Anu has been with me for over two years now and so she will continue to get paid on the 1st.
• I will show no excessive generosity.
• I will continue to remain understanding and demonstrate concern.
• I will keep my distance from the new 'bai's - Kala and Laxmi.
  

My sister has an excellent track record with the 'Bai's. Her husband has a transferable job and so they move places every 4-5 years. When she employs a bai, they stay with her for the entire duration, every time! My sister feels that I should interact with my bai more often to keep them motivated and overlook some things they do not do well. I can manage the latter but I can't make a polite conversation at 6:30 - 7 AM! After Laxmi's experience, I don't even feel like making any conversation even otherwise.

Talking of Laxmi, she called(!)today giving some silly excuse but wanting to continue to work. She hasn't reported for three days straight. She plans to come tomorrow morning.

No, I don't plan to give her a warm shawl that I wanted to three days back...at least not today.

Disgusting

Laxmi did not come today. I had to call the security repeatedly for her. Initially, I was told she would come and then Murugan (her husband) said she did not come to the building at all. He was lying.

I can't explain how disgusted I am! I have realized that arm-twisting is the only way that works for most 'bai's...and I just don't feel good doing that!

If she comes tomorrow, I feel like asking her to leave for good but then I know the next one will also most likely come with the same set of values.

Repeat mistake

Laxmi did not come today again. I don't know why. Maybe because she is unwell...

I paid her dues yesterday. I know I should have held her salary till atleast 7th. Now there is a greater chance of another bai disappearance. Let's see.

Kala rejoins and shares 50 percent work of Laxmi

Laxmi did not come yesterday. She did not let me know in advance either. I was a little concerned because of our earlier salary discussion (bai disappearance is common :). When she did not come till 8:30 AM this morning, I sent for Kala. In any case, I wanted to employ Kala because of her family condition.

Laxmi finally came at 11:30 AM. She said she has been unwell. I told her about my decision. She wanted to do all work but by then I had made up my mind. I was worried that once she gets her work back, the demands on salary would start again. The continual salary discussion irritates me. I also needed someone to finish some critical work prior to my leaving for work. With Laxmi things were not working out atleast for the morning bit.

So-
Kala and Anu will come in the morning and finish the urgent kitchen related work.
Laxmi will work once I return for work for cleaning the house.

I have to confess, I would've loved to have Laxmi do all my work. She is great at what she does. I told Laxmi what she would be paid for her work going forward (Rs 500). I told her to discuss with her friends and family and let me know by tomorrow if the number works for her. If it does, I would not want to discuss the topic again and again.

I gave Laxmi old newspapers to sell and keep whatever money she makes out of it. I noticed today that her sweater was torn. I want to give her another sweater but don't have one. Maybe I will give her an old shawl...

World AIDS day

Laxmi's brother died of AIDS sometime back. His 20-year old wife is HIV positive. She has two children. Laxmi told me that people avoid visiting their house. If they do, they don't drink water etc. I explained to her what AIDS is and how it spreads. She seemed to know how AIDS spreads but not how it does not.

Hopefully our conversation helps her and her neighbourhood.

Laxmi wants a hike already

Laxmi came to me, "I have something to tell you which I missed telling earlier - I need more money...about Rs. 1500 per month"

By any standards, Rs. 850 is a generous offer for a 60-90 minutes job-I prefer to pay a little extra to my domestic help so avoid exactly this habit of bargaining at very quick intervals. Typically, I have found them to be tutored by their spouses or by other 'bai's.

I had just returned from work and was kind of irritated to hear the request. So I let the matter lay for a bit. I made my usual cup of tea and shared with Laxmi as always. Just as she was about to leave, I explained to her gently that I was surprised at her request. In any case, since I liked her and her work and I wanted her to be happy, she can choose from any of the three options-
1. Take half the work (and I will call another bai for the remainder work-I want to anyway employ Kala)
2. Discuss with her friends or husband and if she is convinced Rs. 850 is a good deal she can continue working.
3. Leave my work completely and join wherever she gets the kind of money she demanded (this by the way, never needs to be told-it is a foregone conclusion). I will call her whenever I need a helping hand.

I told her to decide and let me know by tomorrow morning. Once she has made her decision, I would not want to discuss it for atleast six months.

I hope she chooses option #2!