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Ask Andreas: Should I get a "Nanny Cam" to watch what's happening in my home when I'm at work?

ExpertsPost Category - ExpertsExpertsFamily LifePost Category - Family LifeFamily Life - Post Category - Domestic HelpersDomestic Helpers

AndreasRosboch

Friends have suggested that I get a so-called “Nanny Cam” to watch what is happening in my home when I’m at work… What do you think? 

I am very much opposed to “Nanny Cams”. They are intrusive and send the message to your helper that she can never be trusted and that she needs constant supervision. If you cannot trust your helper, you either have the wrong helper or you have to build trust by changing your own behaviour.

From the helper’s viewpoint, she may feel uncomfortable with you watching “over her shoulder”. Imagine how you would feel if you worked in an office or factory and you never knew if your boss was watching. Would this make you a better employee? Sure, a helper under constant supervision would probably get the job done in a fair fashion, but she might well be afraid of thinking outside the box and taking initiative. Initiative should be encouraged, since it makes for less work for the employer and also for a more motivated employee.

If your helper is a good worker she will work hard and responsibly. If she is not a good, responsible worker, no surveillance in the world will make her one.

For the only guide you’ll ever need on working with a helper, check out Andreas’ fab book ‘Hiring and Managing Domestic Help’ and buy it here.

New_SMSig_Andreas

Andreas Rosboch was born and raised in Sweden by an Italian father and a Swedish mother. He has been an expat for more than ten years and plans to keep it that way. He has spent most of his career in the information technology field, handling everything from brand management to customer support. He is the author of one of our most-recommended books Hiring & Managing Domestic Help – an absolute must-have for Hong Kong mamas (psst- and you can buy it here). He lives in Hong Kong with his wife, two children and dog.

 

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