We live in the world where we all think we are the most humble and compassionate people on the globe. We give charity, gift our friends and family, cry on emotional scenes in the movies, share post condemning cruelty of the world yet when it comes to dealing or working with less privileged of the society this bubble of compassion burst with a blast!
Someone once told me that if you want to know the true side of a person observe how they deal with the weak and vulnarbale. This include their servants or people less in social status than them or those who are dependent on them. I started observing and later got to see many examples. I met a self-acclaimed religious business man who used to talk a lot about religion , God, worship etc. and I was inspired by his gentleness, the level of spirituality and his love for God until one day I observed his insulting behaviour with one of her female employee who looks like an underage girl working due to poor family conditions. He was behaving rudely, insulting and taunting her despite me being a guest present with them! That was ridiculous and I was numb to say anything but I started to doubt that person's character. Later I came to know he was not fair in his business dealings as well. Well that was not a shock for me anymore!
In Asia domestic and janitorial labour is very cheap to hire for domestic and commercial purpose. These people live in small colonies near posh areas with pathetic living conditions and hygiene levels. I have seen people giving charity to unknown but they believe it is important to be rude and strict or say disrespectful with these domestic workers. Living in devastated living conditions they face problems like diseases, falling of parts of fittings and structures they live in, transport issues etc. This sometimes result in them taking off from work. People deduct money from these poor souls showing no empathy. People believed they are justified to this act of deducting money despite of their workers being needy to make them regular and punctual. Why don't you keep regularity and punctuality incentives rather than deducting money? I've seen them being regular whole week to earn just one day salary incentive at their commercial work places so why won't they will take unnecessary leaves when you will benefit them. This thought of positive reinforcement rather than punishment may not strike to many as they believe caring for them is false pampering and this will make them snobbish and will make them ask for more salaries. People can spend thousands on brands and can give charity also but not to these workers because of their self-assumed reasons.
Why don't you once try and give respect to them by treating them as equal humans? Islam believes in equity as it is mentioned in Holy Quran "O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female, and have made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Indeed the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted" [Quran 49:13]
This verse tells us that all human are equal in the eyes of Allah but the most righteous one is more honoured. Same is being told by almost all religions and ethical books then why don't we treat them like any other equal creature and show respect to them. In Pakistani society which had been under influence of caste system of the nations dwelling with us before partition of the subcontinent in vast number it is in subconscious to have criteria for respect associated with social or intellectual status. We ignore the fact that may be the person working under us is more honoured by Allah! Why don't you think that we all are beggars in front of that supreme power and what if He will do the same treatment to us what we do to those under our power or control in fact we should say our responsibility !
Action Plan
Any God fearing person thinking of correcting one's action just to please Allah and praying that O Allah people may think I'm fool but treat me in the same generous way I try to treat your people! If you're ready to pray this then here is an action plan to help you. Remind you in developed countries there are already better rights of domestic help and it is costly to afford them so in this article
and in the action plan I've focused my community particularly.
and in the action plan I've focused my community particularly.
1. Change your mindset
Make your self believe that they are also an equal of member of society and are equally as important and deserve respect as much as any of your foreign returned relative. Ask them for food and water on their arrival and greet them and teach your children/family to greet them as well. If they take off on any reason or had to leave in emergency ask their well being first rather than showing anger.
2. Professionalism Although it may seems awkward but this domestic help and the worker are doing a job and some principles and conditions should be set for this. Training must be provided, they should have incentives, job rights and funds and other rights like annual leave, sick or casual leaves, leave encashment, annual increment, loyality points on completing year(s) of service so on. Also according to UNO recommendation work place friendships are unhealthy for your peace of mind and sanity so avoid getting emotional or associating feeling with them. This way you won't be irritated or emotional if they fail to meet your expectations rather you'll be able to deal or communicate professionally. Remind them of the principles already set and reduce privileges if they try and take undue advantages. Hope you noticed that I'm talking about privileges not the basic salary.
3. Leadership A leader is someone who works for the development of others and try to uplift them. Practice leadership by being genuinely interested in their development and lifting up their life standards this can be done in many ways such as helping them make their children study, making them or their family member learn any skills or establish their own set up etc.
4. Training and Development Now as you believe it is something professional then do realize that you can't expect anything until you've not communicated or trained the worker really well. You need to invest time and guide them regularly. Help them improve their personality by sharing with them latest information and knowledge, teaching them use of gadgets, machines, devices etc. Making them aware of any new development or opportunity that can help them or benefit them, guiding them for such facilities etc.
I hope these few steps will help you maintain a long-term growing working relationship with your domestic staff.
May Allah be pleased with all of us!
Asma Amir
