"It's Not Easy": Domestic Worker Breaks Down Over Unbearable Work Conditions

"It's Not Easy": Domestic Worker Breaks Down Over Unbearable Work Conditions

  • One woman in Mzansi has gone viral on social media, leaving many people in their feelings
  • The footage shows the lady crying as she expresses what her life is like working as a domestic worker
  • The woman's story touched netizens as they flooded the comments with heartwarming messages
  • Briefly News spoke to psychologist and relationship expert Penny Holburn about steps domestic workers take to establish professional boundaries with their employers while maintaining healthy work relationship

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An unhealthy working environment can significantly affect a person, making them unproductive.

A TikTok video shows a domestic worker in tears.
A domestic worker cries over unbearable working conditions in a TikTok video. Image: @alina.mathibeligmail.co0
Source: TikTok

A lady gave viewers a glimpse into her work life, and many were left with mixed reactions.

Domestic worker in tears

One woman in South Africa who goes by the handle @alina.mathibeligmail.co0 opened up about her work life. The lady expressed that it is not "easy" working as a domestic. She went on to say the following:

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"Being a domestic worker is not easy. You stay where the owner sometimes decides not to talk to you or greet you."

@alina.mathibeligmail.co0 can be seen crying in her video as her boss' behaviour heavily impacted her. The video became a hit on TikTok, gathering loads of views, along with thousands of likes and comments.

Watch the touching footage below:

How domestic workers can establish professional boundaries with their employers while maintaining healthy work relationship

While speaking to Briefly News, psychologist and relationship expert Penny Holburn suggested that workers can set boundaries with respect for the other person.

"The discussion works best if there is mutual respect and no one is trying to be better than another. The domestic worker can state that in order to work well they need a certain environment. And then say what the boundaries are they want. Be prepared to discuss this with your employer and then agree on what the boundaries will be."

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How can employers create a supportive environment for domestic workers to ensure their well-being is prioritised?

"Firstly – adhere to all the labour laws. All workers, domestic or otherwise, need meal breaks and time off. Hours of work per day need to be reasonable. Explain to the workers the hours and other rules when they start. Let them know exactly what is expected of them and check they understand. This is not different for any worker you employ."

Penny emphasised that workers should talk about issues or problems, saying:

"Let them know you are open to discussing issues or problems they may encounter. Treat them like equal human beings. Make sure they have the necessary equipment to do the job and can request more if they need it. Ensure everyone treats them with respect. As with any employee, you need to confirm and discuss how the leave will be handled—be it sick, family responsibility, or vacation leave."

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Mzansi feels for the woman

The lady's story touched many South Africans, who flocked to the comments to shower her with heartwarming messages while others expressed their thoughts.

Linda said:

"This breaks my heart; your tears remind me of my mom as a domestic worker...Sisi, please, your peace is very important...walk away and find something else. God will open a door for you, I pray."

Aggie expressed:

"I will never understand such people who just wake up and give you attitude in their house... May that kind of heart never locate me? Hope I will never be the reason why my helper cries like this."

Tshimy shared:

"I once worked as a domestic, the day I left, I didn't even say goodbye."

Mpotsengmybabe added:

"Protect your peace leave Mama .....God will provide sending hugs I'm a domestic at the age of 32."

Presh suggested:

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"Just accept that she’s sometimes moody, if she’s like that, give her her space and ignore her. People are different, sisi… just learn to live with her as long she pays you your salary, Kahle."

Heartwarming moment as domestic worker and young man dance together

Briefly News previously reported that a lady and one gentleman set the internet ablaze with their adorable video, which is making rounds on social media.

One gent took to TikTok to showcase his dance moves. In the video shared by @mcsteenkamp38, the young man is standing in the kitchen with a domestic worker. The woman begins dancing as she shows off her killer moves while the man cheers her on.

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Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Johana Mukandila avatar

Johana Mukandila (Editor) Johana Tshidibi Mukandila has been a Human Interest Reporter at Briefly News since 2023. She holds a national diploma in journalism from the Cape Peninsula University Of Technology (2023). She has worked at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, PAICTA, BONA Magazine and Albella Music Production. She is currently furthering her education in journalism at the CPUT. She has passed a set of trainings from Google News Initiative. Reach her at johana.mukandila@briefly.co.za

Penny Holburn avatar

Penny Holburn (Founder of Penny Holburn Coaching) Penny Holburn is a life, career and business coach running her own coaching business since 2010. She has spent 20 years as a consultant in psychological assessment, organisational development, personal and business change, leadership development, coaching and counselling. Penny has majors in psychology and industrial psychology and an MSc Cum Laude in psychology and has completed a Senior Management Development Programme through Wits Business School.