The Human+ Guide: How to Direct Hire a Maid Safely
(And Why You Might Want To)
A Human+ Editorial
For many Filipino families, hiring a household worker is both practical and deeply personal. Maid agencies like MaidProvider.ph exist to set standards, screen applicants, and absorb the administrative weight — but the reality is more nuanced:
Maid agencies aren’t for everyone.
Some families can easily afford professional screening. Others rely on trusted community networks — a cousin, a neighbor, a long-time family contact. And often, the most stable household relationships don’t begin in agencies at all.
They begin in communities.
Here’s a truth rarely said out loud: Direct hiring can be safe, ethical, and effective — if done correctly. The danger lies in skipping safeguards, not in skipping agencies.
This Human+ Guide offers a responsible, evidence-based protocol to protect both families and workers while bringing structure to an informal system.
Part I: When Direct Hiring Makes Sense
Direct hire is not a downgrade. In some cases, it’s the best choice.
1. When the referral is someone you deeply trust
Your driver’s niece. Your parent’s former cook’s cousin. A helper recommended by a long-time employee. These are often the most stable hires because trust flows through relationships, not documents.
2. When the budget is tight and you want the money to benefit the worker
Some families face an unspoken equation: you can afford either an agency fee or a higher monthly salary — but not both.
If forced to choose, choose the salary. Retention is built on fairness, not fees.
3. When you only need a short-term helper
Temporary newborn support. A two-month caregiver after surgery. Help during renovations.
Most agencies are designed for longer-term placements. For short-term, time-bound help, direct hire is usually more practical.
Part II: The Minimum Safety Protocol
(Do Not Skip These — Ever)
A full Human+ placement includes 20–30 medical, behavioral, and verification checks. If you’re direct hiring, these three are the non-negotiable minimum.
1. The Medical Exam — The Line You Cannot Cross
Trust is good. Trust is not a health screen. Homes involve food, babies, and elderly parents — all high-risk environments.
At minimum, require:
Chest X-ray (for TB)
Hepatitis B screening (HBsAg)
Cost: under ₱1,000
Value: immeasurable.
2. The Background Triad
A biodata is storytelling. Verification requires documents. Ask for:
NBI clearance (read the “Remarks” section carefully)
Police clearance from their hometown
Barangay certificate confirming residency and character
This “Background Triad” reduces risk by triangulating identity and history.
3. The Previous Employer Call — The Most Revealing Step
Most families skip this. It is the single most important filter.
Call the previous employer and ask:
“Would you hire her again?”
The pause before the answer will tell you almost everything you need to know
Part III: The Human+ Approach to Retention
(What Actually Keeps Maids From Leaving)
Families often assume maids resign because of salary. Human+ case data tells a different story. Workers leave when:
expectations were unclear
routines were unstable
the emotional climate was unpredictable
boundaries were never set
When you direct hire, you become the HR department. Here’s how to keep the relationship stable:
✔ Write a simple contract
Not for legal drama — for clarity. Include:
Duties and scope of work
Work schedule and rest day
Salary and payout date
Sleeping arrangements
Phone-use rules
✔ Register them for SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG
It’s the law. It’s also the #1 loyalty builder. Benefits make the job feel legitimate and long-term.
✔ Treat the relationship as professional
Tone matters. Clarity matters. Kindness is a retention strategy. Workers stay for dignity, not fear.
Part IV: So Why Do Families Still Choose a Maid Agency Like MaidProvider.ph?
Because doing all of the above — correctly — is practically a full-time job.
Families rely on a professional maid agency when they:
can’t schedule or coordinate medical exams
can’t verify police or NBI records
aren’t trained to evaluate psychological fit
want structured mediation during conflict
prefer verified systems over intuition
A maid agency is not just a middleman. It’s a safeguard.
Human+ handles:
Psychological screening
Criminal background checks
Medical clearance
DOLE-compliant documentation
24/7 support
Mediation during conflict
Case tracking
Worker wellness checks
The Human+ system exists to reduce risk, increase stability, and protect both families and workers.
The Verdict
Choose direct hiring if you have:
a trusted referral
time and energy to verify
willingness to manage HR yourself
Direct hiring can be an excellent choice.
Choose MaidProvider.ph + Human+ if you want:
structure and systems
guaranteed safety checks
professional verification
documented processes
long-term stability
a partner to handle the difficult parts
Either path is valid — as long as it’s safe. The mission remains the same:
To make Filipino homes safer, calmer, and more dignified for everyone inside them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Direct Hiring a Maid in the Philippines — The Human+ Guide
1. Is it legal to hire a maid directly in the Philippines?
Yes. Direct hiring is legal as long as the employer follows the Kasambahay Law (RA 10361). This law requires you to provide:
A written employment contract (mandatory)
Registration with SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG
Proper salary (at least minimum wage), rest days, and 13th-month pay
Respectful, safe living conditions
Human+ Note: Direct hiring becomes illegal when the worker is underage (below 15), is forced to work against their will (trafficking), or is deprived of these basic rights.
2. How much should I budget for direct-hire screening?
Most families spend ₱800 – ₱1,800 for the minimum Human+ safety checks. This usually covers:
Chest X-ray (for TB)
Hepatitis B screening (HBsAg)
NBI Clearance
Police Clearance
Barangay Certificate
Skipping these to save around ₱1,000 puts your entire household at risk.
3. What documents should I ask from a direct-hire maid?
At a minimum, keep copies of:
Government ID (Voter’s ID, UMID, National ID, etc.)
Background Triad: NBI Clearance + Police Clearance + Barangay Certificate
Previous Employer’s Info: Name and contact number
Signed Contract: A simple agreement outlining duties, schedule, and pay
Optional but recommended:
PSA Birth Certificate
Vaccination card
Medical Certificate
4. How do I know if a maid is telling the truth about her background?
Use the Background Triad:
NBI Clearance: Checks for national criminal cases
Police Clearance: Checks for local crimes in their municipality
Barangay Certificate: Checks for neighborhood disputes or “bad records” in their village
Then apply the Golden Rule: Call the previous employer.
Ask: “Would you hire her again?
Their hesitation — or enthusiasm — is your best real-world lie detector.
5. What is the biggest risk when hiring a maid directly?
The biggest risks are:
Unverified identity
Hidden medical issues
When you hire directly, you are responsible for confirming that:
they are not using a fake name or borrowed identity
they do not have serious contagious illnesses (like TB or Hep B) before living in your home
Agencies exist primarily to absorb this specific risk for you.
6. Why do maids usually resign early?
Based on Human+ case logs, salary is rarely the #1 reason. The top causes of early resignation are:
Unclear expectations
“I thought I was just cleaning, why am I also washing the car?”
Overwhelming workload with no defined rest hours
Emotional stress and frequent scolding
Lack of boundaries
“Ma’am is texting me instructions at 11 PM.”
7. Do I need a contract for a direct hire?
Yes. It is required by DOLE and, more importantly, it protects both sides.
A contract prevents arguments before they start. It should clearly list:
Specific duties (e.g., “Childcare + Cooking”)
Rest day schedule (e.g., “Every Sunday” or “2x a month”)
Phone usage rules
Salary, benefits, and 13th-month pay
8. Should I enroll my direct-hire maid in SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG?
Absolutely.
It is the law.
It is also the #1 loyalty builder.
Workers with active government benefits feel secure and professional. They are statistically less likely to leave than workers who are paid “under the table.”
9. When is direct hiring better than using an agency?
Direct hiring is the better choice when:
You have a trusted referral from a close friend or family member
You have the time to personally interview and run medical and background checks
You have a tight budget and prefer to give the “agency fee” directly to the maid as a higher salary
You only need short-term help (around 1–3 months)
10. Why do families choose MaidProvider.ph if direct hire is possible?
Because MaidProvider.ph and the Human+ system handle the heavy lifting that busy families can’t:
Psychological Screening: We check mental and emotional fitness
Medical Exams: We ensure they are medically cleared
Criminal Checks: We verify records across multiple databases
24/7 Human+ Support: We mediate conflicts so you don’t have to
Direct hire saves money.
Human+ saves time, risk, and emotional energy.
11. What’s the safest way to start a direct-hire arrangement?
Follow the Human+ Direct Hire Protocol:
Medical exam (Chest X-ray + Hep B screening) before they sleep in your house
Background Triad (NBI + Police + Barangay) verification
Call the previous employer
Sign a written contract
Register SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG
Set clear expectations on Day 1
If you do these six things, you are already safer than 90% of households.
Important Resources
DOLE — Kasambahay Law (RA 10361) https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2013/01/18/republic-act-no-10361/
SSS Kasambahay Program https://www.sss.gov.ph/kasambahay/
PhilHealth Kasambahay Guide https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/partners/employers/
Pag-IBIG Fund https://www.pagibigfund.gov.ph
Don’t have time for background checks?
Skip the risk. Let us handle the screening.