How housekeepers suffer beatings, humiliation and harassment, why do they not leave the profession, how much they earn per day and what assignments they carry out - we talked with a maid who works in a wealthy family.

How I became a maid

For the first time, like many others, I came to clean someone else's house almost by accident. The child needed expensive treatment, and there was not enough money. My friend told me that cleaning houses can make money. Very quickly I realized that only “uncomfortable” clients agree to newcomers like me: the road to them takes two and a half hours one way, or these are complicated houses for little money, or large families who went through many options, or those who who do not need regular cleaning. In short, those to whom an experienced maid will not go.

Then there were two difficult years when I agreed to almost any job. Then I got to know the agencies and realized that the client is always right, even if the truth is on your side. Agencies do not insure you against harassment and dishonest rich people. Their responsibility to you is limited to what they introduce to customers. Over time, experience came and permanent objects appeared.

In our country, you cannot get a state diploma in my specialty, so I had to study based on practice and personal experience. Soon I realized that at any job you can grow professionally, if there was a desire. I am young and energetic, I have a family and children. I come with only one purpose - to work. I am not interested in other people's husbands and wealth. I love people and have a positive view of things. I smile when I come into the house, and do not sigh when I leave it. I think that decency and human qualities are as important as professionalism. This was soon noticed.

Now, after eight years of work, my clients are public respected people, whose peace of mind and life they protect, and you can get into the house only after passing several levels of interviews and signing a non-disclosure agreement. After going through the personnel department, an interview with a psychologist, a check through the special services and a personal assistant, I got to a short interview with my future manager and owner of the house.

What errands do I carry out

My job is all business activities except security. All assistants in our home work on a schedule that is tailored to the lives of our clients. My regular duties at various times included, for example, taking care of the wardrobe and various delicate surfaces (mother of pearl, marble, stones, precious metals, wood, leather, glass).

Sometimes during my working day I need to sew on a couple of buttons, and sometimes I need to draw a picture for the nursery, because tomorrow there will be a photo session at home.

Now I buy groceries, carry out various errands, sometimes buy interior parts, sometimes furniture. I also hand over children's, dietary and sports menus to the cook, although often I have to cook myself. In addition, I work with various services: pool and garden care professionals, technicians and engineers, designers and tailors.

I know what the children in our family love, what to put in the chef's suitcase. I set the table and make flower arrangements on special days, as well as welcome guests. All financial aspects also lie with me. I also make sure other maids and drivers arrive on time. Sometimes during my working day I need to sew on a couple of buttons, and sometimes I need to draw a picture for the nursery, because tomorrow there will be a photo session at home. I book tickets, book someone to see a doctor, show properties for sale and do many other things that have been entrusted to me.

On average, in St. Petersburg, a housekeeper who does only cleaning is paid from 2.5 thousand rubles per working day. In our house, maids receive a contractual payment for their work. We do not have such a concept as "tip" (as in the hotel business).

Pros and cons of working as a maid

The most important thing, of course, is respect on both sides. If you respect your employer, it will certainly be celebrated. Clients reward their employees. It could be extra money, cooking or design training, or helping you solve some of your problems. Sometimes just a kind word is also very important in our profession.

One of my clients helped me to be productive by handing out cuffs to the staff. When I got my kick, the only option to get the money was to wait until the end of the month.

During my work, I met different people: among my colleagues there were real professionals, from whom I tried to learn, there were clients who taught me to value myself and grow. There were also negative examples. When you work in a large house, where there are three maids per shift, you see a constant turnover of staff. I have seen assistants who have abused their trust.

For example, one of the workers was found drunk in the pool when a client arrived from a business trip. Another, having ruined the linen due to improper washing, corrected the situation by getting on a train to Moscow, and buying exactly the same, but new, and returned back. All this in one day and at your own expense, of course. One of my "uncomfortable" clients helped me to work productively by handing out cuffs to the staff. When I got my kick, the only option to get the money was to wait until the end of the month. It's humiliating, but I waited because I could not come home without funds.

Why do they leave the profession

The reasons for leaving are clear - it can be harassment, disrespect for work, humiliation of dignity. Sometimes people do not go to work and run away because they damaged some expensive item and are afraid that the owners will force them to pay for it. I've messed things up a couple of times too. True, not very expensive. I paid for one, but not for the other. It was at the very beginning, but I learned for myself that if I want a good relationship, it is important to keep a human face. We are all human and anything can happen.

You seem to be a member of the family, but you always remember where you belong.

Of course, now I can say that not everyone will be hired. I must be confident in a person - I do not tolerate intrigue and omission. In our home, everything should be transparent and clear regarding work. A responsible and dedicated employee always wants to help. As for our employers, they forgive a lot within reason.

I have already defined my boundaries a long time ago - I leave when I cannot respect the client. However, in our field, if you leave from somewhere with a scandal, then everyone around you knows about it, and the agencies are for sure. Then, at least for the next six months, all "inconvenient" clients will be yours.

Features of the profession

Our work is unusual in that you seem to be a member of the family, but you always remember where you belong. Over time, people get used to it and can no longer cope without you. A lonely man cannot find his bag and calls you at night to help. A beautiful client, the wife of a beautiful person for whom, in addition to your main job, you green roofs and breed special varieties of apple trees in tubs on the 21st floor terrace, is jealous of your love life, and it becomes so unbearable that you have to leave. Sometimes I photograph my family or accompany them in the movies, helping the boss choose the right tie. They hug me when they meet and say goodbye, but this is not friendship. It is important to remember this.

I was brought up in such a way that I always try to love what I do - then it brings satisfaction. At first, I was always looking for what I would do next when I quit this business (my first two educations were related to design). Then I found an opportunity to be realized in close areas, taking care of someone else's house. At first it was just a way to make quick money, but now I appreciate the free schedule and time to be with my family.

Text: Valeria Danilova-Ledovskaya

A couple of years ago, a book by the Polish maid Justyna Polanski was published in Western Europe. For a long time she worked in the houses of respectable Germans and did not see or hear anything there. One fine day, when the next owner did not pay her the due salary, she wanted to speak out properly. I laid out everything I knew. About rudeness, snobbery, dirty linen, humiliation, harassment ... The novel about the misadventures of a housekeeper became a bestseller.

In our country, the servant is still silent. Except, perhaps, Lucy, Alla Pugacheva's housekeeper. Rather, a former housekeeper - she was fired for her revelations. Even Polina Stepanova, the former maid of mixed martial arts fighter Alexander Emelianenko, who a year ago accused him of rape and imprisoned him for almost five years, categorically refuses to communicate with the press, and even more so is not going to write a book about her misfortunes. And no arguments like: "You will warn other girls, they need recommendations on how to act in such situations" does not convince her.

But employers in Russia are very talkative. - a favorite topic. Last summer, Tatler magazine published a letter to the daughter of an oligarch. In essence, these were instructions for using the servants, and they were vigorously discussed on the Internet. The lady advised the sisters, according to reason and state, to keep the maids on a short leash and fire them without giving time for tears.

The housekeepers did not answer at that time - in the conditions of the crisis they did not want to lose their jobs. Today, as we understood from conversations with the heads of Moscow agencies, it is even more difficult for them. The middle class tries to save money and, above all, minimizes the costs of service personnel. There is no time for talking to the press. However, after much persuasion, Rjob found a volunteer.

Our heroine is a housekeeper with 9 years of experience. Previously, she washed the floors and cleaned carpets in the cottage of the vodka magnate on Rublevka, now she keeps order in the penthouse of a major official.

"We are still lucky"

“I could, too, but I won't. The former employer left the country, took his son away from his wife, and put her on trial for drugs. I've seen enough of scandals, drinking. I almost never crossed paths with the owner, the hostess was enough for me. She and sober was not a gift, but with alcohol - just a nightmare. The case was just going to divorce, she was constantly frustrated by the maids and the governess. Nevertheless, in comparison with other housekeepers, I was lucky. Good salary, convenient schedule and relatively painless separation.

You have no idea how our capital businessmen deal with the Filipino servants. Asians, they are quiet, submissive, so they suffer. For example, a year ago one oligarch spent more than a million on his mistress, and when his wife discovered the loss, he accused a maid from Manila of stealing money. The girl ended up in a pre-trial detention center, contracted hepatitis there. Then, of course, she was released, but there was no compensation for moral damage or payment for treatment. Another case - the owner of a recruiting agency set low salaries for Filipinos, and then one of the workers fled. The hostess caught her, locked her with a key in a rented apartment for several days, leaving only bread and water. This is not a movie, these are real Moscow stories. Try to do this with a Ukrainian housekeeper - he will fight back. And the Filipina will quietly pack her things and hide. In 2014, a servant ran away from a well-known Russian human rights activist while he was abroad ... "

If you get harassed

“Rape and attacks on housekeepers in Russia are extremely rare. But harassment is common. It is foolish to complain to the hostess - she will fire you. You must immediately contact the head of the agency - let him figure it out. Formally, in our country there is article 133 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation "Compulsion to actions of a sexual nature" and article 132 on violent actions. But how do you prove that you are being harassed? Will you record it on a dictaphone or shoot it on a camcorder? There will be no court anyway.

For a year now, the State Duma has promised to pass a law on harassment and punish harassment with fines and compulsory community service, but this document is useless in Russia. The men pestered women and will pester them. Without waiting for the law to pass, housekeepers need to insist that their agencies invite psychologists to conduct a special course of protection or prevention. Personnel companies are responsible for the workers, and they should also be responsible for employers. If they don't want to, go to another agency.

My friend, the maid, trying to calm the excessively frisky owner, went to his wife: so and so, channel his energy into a peaceful channel. The harassment stopped, but the number of complaints from the hostess increased: you put things in the wardrobe incorrectly, you don't talk on the phone on time, you open the refrigerator with wet hands ... In the end, she changed the maid's work schedule. Instead of once a week, she ordered me to appear once every two weeks. The salary was cut in half, and the acquaintance quit. At the same time, the hostess hinted to the agency about the unreliability of the staff. But I warned her: "Complain to the management."

Read the Criminal Code

“Ukrainian woman Polina Stepanova, who dared to report the athlete Emelianenko, in addition to rape, accused him of stealing her passport. Unfortunately, employers often do this. They take away documents, ostensibly so that domestic staff - people from neighboring countries - do not hide with their money and jewelry. I advise the maids and housekeepers to learn article 325 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation: Abduction, destruction, damage or concealment of official documents is punishable by a fine of up to two hundred thousand rubles, forced labor for up to two years, or imprisonment for the same period. Quote this to the employer. He doesn't want to break the law.

I have never encountered the use of slave labor. This does not happen in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Is that at construction sites or in trading companies. But Muscovites and Petersburgers do not do this with regard to domestic staff. Except what I told you about the Filipino servants. But there it all ended in a criminal case. The mistress was punished under Article 127 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation "Use of slave labor." The Russians are not in danger of slavery.

And the last article in the legislation that must be remembered is 145 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. If you are not settled for more than two months, you have the right to go to court, and the employer can go to jail for a period of 2 to 5 years.

The most unpleasant thing about the work of domestic staff is the dependence on the mood, character and attitude of the employer. If he is a well-mannered, intelligent and tactful person, everything goes well. If a boor and slob - and in Russia, as in other countries, there are plenty of such people among rich people - problems begin for housekeepers, maids, governesses. It would be nice for us to pass some other law on education. Wouldn't hurt. "

"Gentlemen and Servants" is a look at the Russian elite, which was photographed together with a hired servant. The photographer was interested in the "place" of the servants in the employer's house, the relationship between people.

“I've had lengthy conversations with people,” she said. "I asked what their relationship was like." These conversations helped Li-Mi-Yang decide how to organize the photographs.

“For those who can afford it, it's not unusual to hire an assistant,” Li-Mi-Yan told Business Insider, the author of the project. Here's a strange thing: the service staff - is it only our rich Pinocchio? What's the big deal? Is this "unusual business" for the rich in other countries?

According to Li-Mi-Yan, it was not difficult to find people who wanted to act in films. “These were mostly people I know,” she said. "Most of them were enthusiastic about joining my project."

“In Russia, being a governess or nanny is considered a low-skilled job,” Li-Mi-Yan said. Some employees refused to be photographed, wanting to avoid being labeled as a housekeeper.

Most people think that they treat their servants with care and attention, but, nevertheless, most servants dream of saving money and changing jobs.

These photographs really show the relationship between masters and servants.

Wealthy people tend to be busy individuals. They stay late at work, so there is no time for household chores. The best way out of this situation is to hire a housekeeper.

What is required of you

If you decide to perform the duties of a housewife for rich people, get ready for:

1) an interview with an HR manager. Bring a copy of your passport, medical certificate, autobiography and some photographs to the meeting. This data is necessary, because for future employers you are an absolutely stranger whom they will let into the house;

2) verification by the security service. The absence of a criminal record, connections with criminals is an important condition for obtaining such a position;

3) an interview at the owner's house. You may be asked to cook a dish or tell you how household appliances function in order to see the future assistant “in business”. Business hours are usually paid;

4) a probationary period. It is 3 months old. Show your best side by strictly adhering to these rules:

• neat appearance. Tidy hair, clean shape (at least 2 sets a day in case you get dirty), suitable makeup, clean-shaven legs, etc.;
• lack of bad habits. No one will like a housekeeper who goes out for a smoke break every hour or wipes crystal glasses while intoxicated;
• high-quality performance of direct duties. The ability to handle household appliances and correctly use cleaning products, respect for the owner's things - the main "commandment" of a hired assistant;
• good mood, restraint. Forget about gloom and gossip - these are your "enemies" in your new workplace.

Myths and reality

Often, young girls are afraid to take up such a position because of false fears. Let's try to figure it out and dispel them.

1. Worries about your own safety. Some persons believe that the owners can mock the subordinate ("they are rich, they are allowed to do everything"). In reality, the relationship between employer and assistant is good, because nobody needs black PR.
2. Cheating money. Girls are afraid of damaging property and “working for food” all their lives. To prevent this from happening, perform your duties as efficiently and accurately as possible. Pay attention to the contract: it is better to prescribe the relevant clauses in it.
3. Intimate relationship with the employer. Such cases are rare, because no one wants to ruin their reputation, destroy a family and lose a good housewife. If the boss is interested in additional services, he looks for private housekeeper with sex. These responsibilities are negotiated orally or specified in the contract.
4. The boss's wife claims. You must understand that the spouses of rich people can be hysterical or very pleasant to talk to. To build relationships with the mistress of the house, you have to be a bit of a psychologist. Guessing the mood, not asking unnecessary questions, not allowing too much in conversations with the employer are simple rules that will help you get used to and stay in a new place.

During the crisis on Rublevka, it became unfashionable to brag about wealth. But the life of the local inhabitants has not changed much. Despite the millions of dollars in losses, Rublevka, as before, hires a servant. And he groans in the old fashioned way: stealing!

True, if earlier it was about the theft of diamonds and sapphires, today cunning housekeepers steal on trifles: shampoos, creams, lipsticks and socks.

She went to the store and did not return

"I was very lucky. My people - drivers, a housekeeper - have been working for me for many years, - says the writer Daria DONTSOVA. And then he adds terrible details: - But now it is so difficult to find good workers! I go to fitness in Zhukovka (an elite village on Rublevka - Ed.) And communicate with people there. An egregious incident occurred recently. I knew this couple - the man is so nice, the wife is nice ... We hired two people from the near abroad - a husband and wife. For a year they lived in that family, worked on the farm. And recently the daughter of the owners came home and found the killed mom and dad. The servants are missing. A friend of the writer’s driver, after working for two weeks, went to the salon, ostensibly to bring a new car. So it still drives me. A friend found a housekeeper through an agency. On the first day I asked her to go to the store. She took the money and did not return. Well, this is ridiculous!

But many are not laughing. The crisis shook up the servants' market a lot:

It is much easier to find a common language with housekeepers today. The crisis has calmed down the ardor, - says Olga, a typical resident of Rublyovka, who asked not to indicate her last name. - People who come on the recommendation are spoiled to horror: they were taken to work in the same place by car, they will not cook food, this should be done by the cook. Pay them for vacation, sick leave. What am I, a state institution ?! One nanny quit her job before the crisis because we took with us to warm countries not her, but the second nanny. Now she would not be so scattered with work! There are plenty of workers. But the main thing is to find decent ones. A friend of mine fired the housekeeper the other day for stealing on trifles. First, lipstick began to disappear, then creams. But you can't go to the police because of such trifles.

Are Filipinos Perfect?

And there are a dime a dozen such stories on Rublevka, and in other rich houses.

My friends from Rublyovka complain about swindlers, - says the producer of Dima Bilan Yana RUDKOVSKAYA. - Previously, diamonds were stolen, but now they 'modestly' dismantle the wardrobe: who will lose the dress, who will have shoes, and who will have handbags. One acquaintance from Rublyovka complained that his socks were missing. Branded. Moreover, the owners do not immediately notice the loss - these Rublev ladies have large dressing rooms, you can get lost.

A special conversation about Filipinos. Fashion for maids from this country on Rublevka appeared five or six years ago. They say that the foundation for the secular trend was laid by the singer Alexander Malinin, who back in 1999 presented an exotic housekeeper to a socialite he knew. And off we go. Several agencies carried exotic servants to the wealthy homes of Russians simply in batches. Of the obvious advantages of the Filipinos, they note modesty, cleanliness and ignorance of Russian. And this means that at home you can discuss any issues - no one can take dirty linen in public. However, the fashion for exoticism quickly passed. Filipinos began to be imported in industrial quantities, without checking their reputation. And they began to take everything out of their homes. And it’s impossible to find them.

Who has a chance to get a job

Rublevka does not like working with relatives, even distant ones. This is the first rule.

Now from the hinterland of Ukraine they simply go in droves to work in elite houses, but they have very few chances. Muscovites have the advantage.

There are a lot of obese women. Nobody takes them for three reasons: a) unaesthetic; b) poor health; c) move poorly. Of course, no one invites models either. Ideal parameters are up to size 48.

Victims share in blogs

Money and jewelry. This is the simplest thing you can take out of your home and still keep your job.

Clothes, handbags, shoes, socks.

Food (vegetables), alcohol, tea bags, nuts.

Detergents, shampoo.

WHAT WHY

During the crisis, Rublevka agreed: "I want to pay not 40, but 35 thousand rubles!" - says the owner. We now have the question of five thousand with every order, ”says Mila KOSTENKO, psychoanalyst at the Impeccable Personnel agency (selects employees exclusively for VIP clients). - The moment is fundamental: they pay less and are terribly happy. Rich people don't let themselves be controlled.

Average salary of workers in Rublyovka:

Gardener - 30 thousand a month (before the crisis - 35 000)

Housekeeper - from 30 to 40 thousand per month (before the crisis - 35 000 - 45 000)

Governess - 40 - 45 thousand (before the crisis - 35 - 40 thousand)

A good Italian chef receives several thousand euros.

There is a system of penalties. For example, for divulging family secrets, a fine is a monthly salary.

Standard staff: a security guard who looks after the territory of the house. Gardener. The individual who controls the heating and air conditioning system. Cook. Human Resources Manager. One or two nanny-governess. At least two housekeepers. Total: 8 people. The scope of work is huge, because the average house on Rublevka is up to three thousand square meters.

Which of the stars suffered

The housemaid has pretty good nerves for me! - complains TV presenter Lera Kudryavtseva. - Especially during the crisis they raged. Dishes and food are missing, I don’t talk about jewelry at all. For example, my housekeeper ruined an expensive white fur coat. I asked to clean the thing from street dirt and warned: you can't wash, just brush it. And she washed it! The fur coat stood up with a stake. And this is worse than stealing! Another housekeeper ruined the microwave by scrubbing the silver-coated panel with a coarse brush!

Arseny Borodin, the lead singer of the Chelsea group, suffered from a swindler-housekeeper:

I needed an assistant who would wash, clean, cook. Friends advised a woman from Ryazan. Fifty years. A venerable age. And then I discovered that I had lost 80 thousand rubles, silver souvenirs that my friends had brought from the United States. The housekeeper, of course, disappeared and turned off her cell phone.

Andrei Appolonov's housekeeper made a lot of noise. The soloist of "Ivanushek" caught the servant stealing and turned her over to the police. It turned out that the lady has long specialized in home theft. Singer Olga Orlova was robbed by a nanny. Larisa Dolina's housekeeper took out all the jewelry.

But Lada Dance insured herself against such a misfortune by opening an agency for the selection of personnel in elite houses and developing a whole strategy against dishonest assistants:

My domestic workers do not have access to money and jewelry. We ourselves lead people into temptation when we scatter rings, clothes, - the singer is convinced. - A person himself can forget, lose. It will seem to him that the servant did it. I myself had a case when I decided that the ring had been stolen, and then I found it in my bag.