I am a struggling actress in NYC. I recently met another woman who has offered me free room and board in exchange for working 40 hours per week as her housemaid. She appears to be an up coming banker of some sort in her mid-30s.
The deal seems pretty sweet although I get the impression that she is a bit of a snob. Her name is a Janice, but told me to call her Miss Johnson. She also has asked me to wear a uniform which she is providing. It basically is a simple black dress with black flats. She also asked me to wear hosiery which I think will make my job harder to do.
Does this seem like a fair deal? Her place in NYC is 5 bedrooms and very nice. I will get my own room.
2007-07-25 02:18:03 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Well housing especially I assume in New York would be atronomical, so yes I think its a fair exchange, don't know about the 40 hours a week, how will you make money working all those hours for her? As far as the uniform and hosiery, sounds like she is trying to appear rich for her friends, making a social statement. Best of luck with this!
2007-07-25 02:21:52 · answer #1 · answered by helper 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
40 hrs a week is absurd! Unless you are living in some gaudy apartment in the upper west side of Manhattan where rent is easily $6,000+ a month, I don't see how this is fair at all. If you were making $10 per hour x 160 hrs = $1600 per month. How much is the rent? Give yourself a wage/rate and only do enough house cleaning to pay for your your portion of the rent. That's the only way to do this without getting the sh*t end of the stick.
The uniform thing is also weird.
I'd look elsewhere, Ms. Johnson is a tool!
2007-07-25 09:30:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Interesting offer. I wonder why she needs 5 bedrooms? As others, I concur that 40 hr maid service is fairly high.
If you are interested in her offer, get everything in writing, contract if you will, specify what you can and cannot do, i.e., entertain your friends in your room, what are the hours, 8 am to 5 pm or staggered into shifts for dinner parties.
Days off, special requests, i.e., run to cleaners, other shopping, are you expected to cook as well as clean, any cats, dogs, mouse to take care of, babysitting her friends kids - that sort of thing.
Good questions to ask her, if she is on the up and up, should not be a problem for her. Lots to think about.
The rest of her request is not unusual re: dress. Don't like it, don't take the job.
2007-07-25 10:51:36 · answer #3 · answered by Pacifica 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, this lady IS a snob
You aren't getting free rent. You are getting live-in employment.
If you want to do this, go into it with your eyes WIDE open.
Figure out exactly what she wants
Do you actually have to be cleaning 40 hours a week or just on call?
Are you expected to work regular hours?
Are you expected to be on-call during your off hours?
How will you be getting money for food, entertainment, bills?
What exact duties will you be responsible for?
If things don't work out, how long will you have to find a new place?
If you decide to do this then get EVERYTHING on paper. Make a contract and both of you sign it. I suggest a trial period of a few weeks to see how well the two of you can handle it.
But my gut says don't do it. I don't know any single person without health problems who needs live-in help. (And that's what you will be 'the help')
2007-07-25 10:33:39 · answer #4 · answered by LX V 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It seems like a fair deal.
The question is, will you be able to deal with the formality she is requiring?
Also, are you sure it will be just 40 hours a week? What happens when a mess occurs on your time off but you are relaxing in the house? Will you still be expected to clean up after her?
Personally, I would only accept this offer WITH HER if there were no other option.
Perhaps you can find the same situation with a family who may be more easy going and fun to be around?
Good luck!
2007-07-25 09:27:20 · answer #5 · answered by ♥Lucifer♥ 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First of all , If you are working 40 hrs a week. The rent is not free. Hopefully the deal also means board(food). Next. will working 40 hrs a week give you time to go to auditions, and quick casting calls? Is she agreeable to this? You should discuss it with her. If she is, go for it. Free Rent in NYC is a good thing. But be careful to keep the
time accounted for carefully, you may need to stretch the parameters, but actually SHE may want to. Call her whatever she
wants. She will be your boss. But my rule is that I title people
according to what they title me. What else whould you wear
with a simple black dress, but stockings. (Ya know you have
to beware of an attraction thing. But thats just life.) Good Luck
2007-07-25 09:40:21 · answer #6 · answered by nutsfornouveau 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think Miss Johnson just wants to put on a show for her friends and is trying to do so as cheaply as possible. I don't see why it would matter whether you wear a uniform unless she is expecting you to serve meals to her friends.
I think you should pass on this deal. I think she would end up taking advantage of you and having you work odd hours. Also, I would be nervous about moving in with someone I didn't know. For all you know, she's psychotic.
Just be careful.
2007-07-25 09:38:01 · answer #7 · answered by startwinkle05 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
You get your own room, but not your privacy. Yes it may seem like a good deal, but i personally would not do it. Than again, i am not into wearing dresses nor would l like to clean someone else's house. You have to decide what is best for you. Nobody can decide that for you.
2007-07-25 09:41:18 · answer #8 · answered by pj 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I recommend doing the math.figure out what half the rent/utilities/board would times 12 (# of months in a year) cost, then divide it 2080 (# of work hours in a year). If it's about right, then it's a good deal.
2007-07-25 10:37:00 · answer #9 · answered by Carol D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds ok but i would negotiate that 40 hours!! cause that is quite a bit of time for free rent!
2007-07-25 13:16:10 · answer #10 · answered by Avaria 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋