Worker would rather get cash than cashmere
Dear Amy: I'm a faithful reader of your column.
I am a housekeeper for the best family in the world. I know they love me and we share mutual respect.
I am paid $400/week. I'm not starving, for sure. But the problem is that on holidays and my birthday, the gifts are mostly clothes from stores I will never go to.
I cannot afford to maintain these clothes -- the dry cleaning is not cheap.
I do not need nor want a designer cashmere sweater, because it's as if I had a Mercedes Benz, but couldn't afford the oil change!
Please tell your readers that I (and other domestic workers) would rather have cash. Cash will help me with savings and give me room to breathe.
I feel a week's salary in cash would be the best bonus or gift I could ever receive.
-- Domestic Worker
Dear Worker: Thank you so much for the honest recommendation. The holiday season will soon be upon us, and I hope that employers will pay close attention to your letter.
An extra week's worth of pay would be a great gift, is about the same price of a fancy cashmere sweater and doesn't require special handling.
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