'Upsetting and disappointing': Employer says maid left through back door after 6 months, family loses agency replacement guarantee

SINGAPORE: An employer is urging other households to read their employment contracts and agency terms carefully after her domestic helper reportedly left without notice, just days after the six-month replacement guarantee had expired.

In a post shared in the Facebook group “RUNAWAY MAID” on Saturday (Nov 7), the employer said the helper left through the back door on Nov 5, 2026, without informing anyone.

She called the incident a “very upsetting and disappointing experience,” adding that it had taken an emotional and financial toll on the family.

The helper had been hired primarily to care for an elderly family member, alongside light housework such as sweeping, mopping, and washing dishes. During downtime, she was simply asked to sit with and accompany the senior.

The employer also mentioned the family went out of its way to treat her as one of their own:

“Whenever we went out for meals, we also brought her along. She was welcome to sit at the dining table and enjoy meals together with us. We never expected things to turn out this way.”

“Unfortunately, as she left just after the six-month compensation protection period, we are unable to receive compensation for a replacement helper. This experience has been both emotionally and financially stressful for our family.”

In closing, she wrote, “I am sharing this experience not to create unnecessary conflict, but to remind other employers to understand the employment contract, agency terms, and compensation coverage clearly before hiring a domestic helper. I hope other families will not have to go through the same experience. Please stay vigilant and take care.”

‘If you're so good, why would she leave?’

In the comments, some users were sceptical of the employer's account, questioning why the helper would have left if she had indeed been treated so well.

One commenter wrote, “To tell you honestly, if you're nice and kind to your domestic helpers, they will not run away. [They will probably only run away if there] is not enough food supply, they are overworked, they have no rest, and they experience rudeness [from you]. If you treat them nicely, they'll not run away, most especially Filipinas. We're all known for being kind-hearted and a lot patient. We're loving and respectful.”

Another said, “If you're so good, why would she leave? If my boss is good and treated me with respect, I will not run away. Sorry, just saying.”

Others, however, came to the employer's defence, pushing back against the criticism and sharing their own experiences of helpers leaving without warning despite being given seemingly reasonable working conditions

One said, “I had an experience like this early this year, found an agent through social media, and hired an Indonesian maid. Everything was well. Her job was easy: looking after an elderly mobile. She looked happy but still ran away unnoticed, one month after being employed.”

Another shared, “I feel you totally!!! Nowadays all the helpers are like that. No integrity. My household is taking care of kids, which I’ve already stated upfront during the interview. My mum was helping me in my house during the interim when I had no helper. After the helper started working with us on her first day, she started to show patterns and asked if my mum had a helper.” 

“She wanted to go to my mum’s house to work instead of my household with kids. Saying that she prefers to take care of the elderly only. They are being taught by the agency to anyhow accept any job first and then come here to request a transfer.”/TISG

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