MAID WENT HOME FOR 2 WEEKS AFTER MUM DIED, EMPLOYER NO MORE LEAVE TO TAKE TO CARE FOR BABY

Helper issues. Need some advice

Our Helpers mum passed away 2 weeks ago. She requested to go back home for 2 weeks and we approved it. Paid everything and sent her back.

Today her dad went into hospital and she is requesting another week. She has sent prove etc and she isn’t the kind to lie about this so we believe her.

My wife and I are running out of leave (inclusive of childcare leave) as we have a new born at home and no other support to help

Wondering if we should let her deal with her family first and find another helper or just wait and hope everything is fine after a week.

Our main concern is that if things get worse for the dad and she comes back, it’s inhuman to prevent her to go back for the funeral which would leave us in a awkward situation. The money is not the issue, it’s the support that we need.

We are already hiring part time helpers for cleaning but will be challenging since we have a new born.

Just trying to find the best situation for all parties here. Appreciate any advice from the community

Netizens’ comments

1. Technically, do you really need a maid while shes gone? You can try to find a Nanny to take take care while you guys are working since it’s temp. Nannies may be quite exp tho.
2. I believed a temp nanny, and PT cleaner will solve your problem, at least until your helper’s family issues have been dealt with or she has to quit, It sounds like you like her work, and would like to continue to extend employment to her after, Good luck
3. Good on you for not letting her go. As someone else said in the thread, can consider getting a Nanny. Ignore those who said to fire her. She probably needs the money at the moment, so it’s the honorable thing to keep her employed for now during this trying time.
4. Ironically my family has been in this exact same situation recently, but instead of a newborn, it was my 2 critically ill grandmothers my maid had to take care of.
   Our maid has been with us since i was a young child. Im in my early 20s now, and she’s considered family. My familys stance on this issue was to just tough it out when she had to go back to visit her sick dad, and eventually also go back for her dads funeral.
   Finding a person you can truly trust to watch over the household is not easy. And once you find someone like that, IMO it’s priceless.
   Dont really have any advice to share but hopefully my story might provide another POV. Good luck!