Documentation protects fairness — it is not a weapon
When an employer–MDW relationship strains (schedule fights, performance gaps, money confusion, welfare worries), short proper documentation during dispute resolution habits keep facts clear: date, what happened, what was agreed, what medical or rest advice applied, and what you both said next. Notes should be calm and factual — not a humiliation file.
This page is an employer documentation briefing for Singapore households with a migrant domestic worker (MDW / FDW). It is general employment guidance only. Soft Ministry of Manpower (MOM): confirm live welfare, rest-day, and dispute / mediation guidance on mom.gov.sg. Emergency: 995 / 999.
Use neighbouring hubs for depth this page does not re-write:
- When to loop the EA: When to loop the agency into early issues (unique #26)
- First-month performance conversations: First month performance conversations (unique #45)
- Clear communication tone: Supporting mental health through clear communication (unique #27)
- Written house-rules sheet: Creating a simple written house rules sheet (unique #32)
- This article: how to document disputes fairly
Hard rule: do not invent salary, levy, agency fees, mediation costs, or fine amounts from this article.
SmartMaid.com.sg is a search marketplace, not a maid agency. See How Smart Maid Singapore differs from a maid agency.
Who owns the notes
| Party | Role |
|---|---|
| You (employer of record) | Keep short factual notes; share relevant facts with EA when looping them |
| Licensed EA | Aftercare / mediation support per service agreement |
| MOM / mediation channels | Live processes for serious disputes — confirm on mom.gov.sg |
| SmartMaid | Search / shortlist only; not a dispute mediator |
What to record (minimum useful set)
- Date and time of the incident or talk
- Topic (schedule, rest day, workload, money question, safety, respect)
- What you observed (facts, not insults)
- What she said (her words, briefly)
- What you agreed (next step, who does what, by when)
- Related papers (MC, chat yes/no for half-day, house-rule line from #32)
Keep notes private. Do not post them in condo group chats.
What not to collect
- Secret phone recordings used to trap her (legal risk varies — do not invent advice; prefer open, witnessed talks)
- Nationality / religion insults framed as “evidence”
- Invented dollar claims without payslips / signed terms
- Screenshots of her private messages unrelated to the employment issue
Calm process before paperwork piles up
- Same-day micro-feedback when possible (#27 / #45).
- One private conversation with written house standard (#32).
- If unresolved → unique #26 EA loop.
- Soft MOM mediation / welfare channels for serious disputes — confirm live steps; this blog is not a filing guide.
When documentation supports welfare cases
If the issue is ill-treatment, withheld rest, withheld food, threats, document dates and seek EA / soft MOM welfare help promptly. Food well-being soft → unique #48 live well-being page if already shipped; medical → medical-treatment page. Safety first: 995 / 999.
Written documentation do / don’t (paste onto #32)
Do
- Date your notes
- Stick to facts and agreements
- Attach MC / written schedule yes-no when relevant
- Loop EA with a short timeline when needed (#26)
Don’t
- Invent fees or fines from this article
- Build a shaming dossier
- Rewrite 301 shy-helper slug
- Delay welfare escalation to “collect more proof” when she is unsafe
FAQ
Is SmartMaid a maid agency that stores dispute files?
No. SmartMaid.com.sg is a search marketplace for biodata published by licensed agencies.
How is this different from looping the agency (#26)?
Unique #26 owns when to escalate. This page owns how to document fairly before and during that step.
Can I quote mediation fees here?
No. Keep money on live quotes and signed terms.
Soft next steps
- Start a simple dated note template.
- Keep house standards on unique #32; reviews on #45; EA timing on #26.
- Soft MOM for serious disputes.
- Shortlist future hires on search maids · transfer maids.
*General employer guidance only. Not legal advice. Confirm MOM / EA / contract rules live. Emergency: 995 or 999. No fees, salary, levy, or fine amounts quoted. Never rewrite helping-a-shy-helper-settle-socially-on-rest-days (301→#26).*
## What changed vs live
- Replaced thin generic rest-day boilerplate with a full dispute documentation guide.
- Added what to record / not collect, calm process, welfare note, EA link, do/don’t, FAQ, soft CTAs.
- Linked #26 / #45 / #27 / #32. Soft MOM. No $.
- Chosen as new #48 twin because well-being / medical pages already show unique live bodies.
