See both sides of the coin in the Great Debate series, a new monthly column in our freshly redesigned Singapore Tatler magazine. In this month's deliberation, we ask a few knowledgable socialites whether household staff should be made to wear uniforms.

 

Shabnam Arashan

Advocate and solicitor

"Growing  up, our the domestic helpers didn’t have to wear a uniform, and I followed suit when I had my own household. My helpers of several years were not required to wear uniforms when they started their employment, but I will definitely implement the uniform rule when I get new helpers. Whatever is selected as the uniform is something both the employee and I, the employer, mutually agree on.

At one time, impositions on domestic helpers such as making them cut their hair really short and wear uniforms was thought to be cruel and demeaning, and a way to reinforce a subservient image. However, it is now an accepted practice that most of my friends have come to adopt. 

I myself have come to realise that requiring household staff to wear a uniform serves several purposes. Firstly, it ensures that they are always appropriately dressed while carrying out their duties. 

Secondly, it reinforces the idea that they are there to work. Even though they live with you, look after your children, and are probably better acquainted with the household affairs than you are, the domestic help is not a family member and she is not a friend. She is your employee, and you are her employer. She is paid a monthly salary, is given a day off and sometimes is given a paid trip back home. A uniform shows her that your home is a place of work, that she is there to do a job. 

Thirdly, imposing this requirement gives you control over what your helpers wear. For instance, you wouldn’t want the help to be wearing shorts at your house party—that would be inappropriate!"

 

Clinton Ang

Managing director of Hock Tong Bee — CornerStone Wines

"I stand on the side of the fence where household staff shouldn’t be made to wear uniforms, simply because I don’t think anyone should be judged by what they wear. I’m also not aware of anyone in my social circles who dictates a uniformed dress code for their household staff. 

What’s important is that everyone who works for and with us knows that we focus on the quality of their work, and not what they wear. Even in my own company, we don’t have uniforms (although we do have a pretty stylish looking corporate shirt—a dri-fit polo with the company logo—that I wear a lot). 

Our domestic help work hard, and we want them to feel comfortable and confident at their jobs. So as long as their own clothes are decent, clean and not shabby, they are free to wear what they want and we don’t comment on their dressing. If we’re having guests over or entertaining for business, they know to look presentable. This informal dress code is conveyed to our staff when they’re hired. 

As employers, we’re also responsible for taking care of our household help, and if it’s ever the case that they’re constantly in worn-out, misshapen clothes, we will bring them shopping for new outfits. The cost is not a burden, and I think this activity helps employer and staff bond, as long as there’s mutual understanding and respect. 

On that note, some employees may feel that wearing a uniform dictates certain pride in their jobs—perhaps this was inculcated in them at a former place of employment—and I agree that a uniform, in this case, would be a good thing."

 

 

Image: Getty Images