I was not very happy with my maid as she always leaves things in the dryer unfolded. I think although she told me she has other clients in my building, she really doesn't. So I was looking for a new maid who really has other clients in my building, who can put my stuff into washer/dryer, then go work in another unit and then come back to my place to put the dried sheet away and pillow case back on the pillow. As it happens, I got a recommendation from someone in the building and I was willing to try. Since I was away last week (she had missed one week pay because of that), I thought that I should wait a bit before starting the new maid.
To my surprise, when I was checking my online bank account, I found a check cashed for maid service last week while I was away. Ok, I thought, she must have deposited the check late. But there was another check cashed one week earlier. So I looked at both check images online. (Thank you modern technology!) The most recent check was forged.
I was mad. In fact, I was very mad. I allowed this person get into my home. I was not particularly careful with my belongings as I trusted this person. I was deferring hiring the new maid because I felt that she might like to earn a few more weeks pay, even though I was not happy with the service. In return, I got someone with no integrity and forges check (maybe checks as the online images only go back three months).
There was no question that I should fire her. But I thought long about whether or not to report her to authorities. You see, I did check reference. I left two messages to the person whom the maid said was also living in my building and would give her reference, but I never got a call back. Now I believe the person did not want to recommend her, but did not want to say anything bad about her so she could still find jobs. By the same token, if I don't say anything, I am confident that she will do it again. If I report her, it is a serious crime and she could get into a lot of trouble. Although I have her driver's license and assume that she is legal, I don't know that for sure. If she is not legal, she could even be deported. I don't think she deserves all that for stealing a week's pay.
Of course, if I actually have a relationship with her, I should ask her whether she is in any desperate financial trouble and maybe find ways to help. But I only met her 3~4 times. She usually comes in to clean while I'm at work. And I'm not that noble.
So I ended up just firing her over the phone. I decided before calling that I would not report her to the authorities. When I called, I confronted her about the check. I requested her to return the money to the front desk of my building. I knew if I have said: "If you don't return the money, I will report you to the authorities." I would get the money back. But since I already decided not to report her, I felt there was no need to give out empty threat. I'm sure she won't return the money. (And she has not, just for the record).
I feel bad that I let a stealing maid freely roaming around Dallas and get into other people's homes. But, what would you have done?
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