What are common expectations of house helps?

House helps expect fair treatment, clear instructions, reasonable working hours, timely payment, respect, and recognition for good work.

How can employers motivate house helps?

Employers can motivate house helps through clear communication, fair wages, respect, occasional incentives, and providing a positive working environment.

Why is understanding their needs important?

Understanding house helps' needs ensures better performance, reduces turnover, fosters loyalty, and creates a harmonious household.

Do house helps value feedback?

Yes. Constructive feedback helps them improve, feel appreciated, and align their work with household expectations.

What Does Your House Help Really Want? 10 Things Every Employer Should Understand

When most employers talk about their house help, the conversation often revolves around performance—how well she cleans, cooks, manages laundry, or takes care of the children. While these duties matter, many households overlook a more important question:
What does your house help actually need to work well, stay motivated, and remain loyal?
Domestic workers are the backbone of many homes in Nairobi and across Kenya. When they feel respected, supported, and valued, they perform better, stay longer, and help create peaceful households. When they feel ignored or mistreated, even a well-paying job can quickly fall apart.
In this guide, we explore the 10 most important things your house help truly wants—beyond her monthly salary—and how meeting these needs can transform your home.

1. Respect and Dignity Above Everything

Respect is the foundation of every successful employer–house help relationship.

Your house help is not “the girl in the house.” She is a human being with feelings, responsibilities, and dreams. Simple actions—calling her by name, speaking politely, saying “thank you,” and correcting mistakes calmly—make a powerful difference.

Many house helps leave jobs not because of low pay, but because of disrespect, harsh language, or humiliation. When a worker feels valued, she naturally becomes more committed and trustworthy.

💬 Remember: A respected house help often becomes your home’s strongest support system.

So What exactly does your house help want?

2. Proper Meals and Adequate Rest

Household work is physically demanding. Cleaning, cooking, childcare, and running errands all require energy and focus.

Your house help needs:

Three proper meals a day
Access to clean drinking water
Clear working hours and rest time

Overworking a house help without rest leads to burnout, mistakes, resentment, and frequent job changes. Even for live-in house helps, boundaries matter.

Allow weekly rest days—preferably Sundays or an agreed day off. A rested worker is a productive and happy worker.

3. A Clean, Safe, and Private Sleeping Space

For live-in house helps, sleeping conditions significantly affect morale and health.

Your house help does not need luxury, but she does need dignity:

A clean and secure room
A proper bed and bedding
Personal privacy

Sleeping in kitchens, corridors, or cramped corners lowers confidence and self-worth. When a worker rests well, she shows up each day refreshed and motivated.

4. Fair Pay and On-Time Salary

Salary matters—but timing matters just as much as the amount.

If you agree to pay KSh 12,000, KSh 15,000, or KSh 20,000, ensure it is:

Fair based on duties and experience
Paid on time, every month

Most house helps support families back home. Salary delays can mean unpaid school fees, rent stress, or hunger for their dependents.

At House Girls Village & Bureau, we help employers determine fair, market-based wages based on experience, workload, and location—ensuring both employer and worker feel respected.

Read Related: How to Keep Your Nanny Happy and Loyal in Kenya (12 Proven Employer Tips)

5. Clear Communication and Expectations

Confusion is one of the biggest causes of conflict in domestic work.

From day one, your house help needs clarity on:

Daily responsibilities
Working hours
Childcare routines
Cooking preferences
House rules

Never assume she “should already know.” When mistakes happen, correct calmly and explain clearly. Praise good work—positive reinforcement builds confidence and consistency.

If language is a challenge, consider hiring a bilingual house help or requesting support from a professional agency.

6. Training and Continuous Guidance

Not every house help comes with modern housekeeping knowledge. Training is not a weakness—it is an investment.

Professional training covers:

Modern cleaning techniques
Safe use of detergents and equipment
Childcare and baby handling
Hygiene and food safety
Emergency response basics

7. Emotional Support and Human Understanding

Domestic work can be emotionally draining—especially for young women living far from home.

Your house help may face:

Homesickness
Family problems
Illness or grief

A listening ear, kind words, or flexibility during difficult moments creates loyalty and trust. You don’t need to solve her problems—simple empathy is enough.

Workers who feel emotionally safe serve with sincerity and commitment.

What Does Your House Help Really Want? 10 Things Every Employer Should Understand

8. Proper Uniforms and Personal Items

Providing basic work essentials shows care and professionalism.

Consider offering:

2–3 uniforms
Comfortable working shoes
Basic toiletries

Clean uniforms promote hygiene and confidence. A well-presented worker reflects positively on your household.

At House Girls Village, we also guide employers on grooming standards that maintain dignity without being controlling.

9. Healthcare and Basic Medical Support

Many house helps ignore illness out of fear of losing their job.

Encourage open communication about health issues. If she is unwell:

Allow clinic visits
Offer basic medical support when possible

A healthy house help protects your entire household—especially children and elderly family members.

🩺 A simple truth: A sick worker cannot serve you well. Compassion benefits everyone.

More: House Helps in Kenya: 20 Frequently Asked Questions Every Employer and Worker Should Know

10. A Sense of Belonging and Appreciation

Every person wants to feel valued.

Small gestures go a long way:

A birthday mention
A Christmas gift
Including her in meals occasionally
A word of appreciation

When a house help feels appreciated, she:

Stays longer
Works better
Protects your home like her own

That sense of belonging turns employment into partnership.

About the Author

House Girls Village & Bureau
Domestic Staff Placement Experts in Kenya

This article was written by the team at House Girls Village & Bureau, a domestic staff placement bureau based in Kenya. With hands-on experience in recruiting, training, and placing house helps for Kenyan households, we work closely with both employers and domestic workers to ensure fair, safe, and professional placements. Our daily work involves screening candidates, advising families, resolving placement issues, and promoting ethical domestic employment practices.

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