One of the family? Familial and professional relationships between migrant live-in caregivers and their employers

Abstract

Purpose Many families in the developed world hire live-in caregivers to meet their childcare and elder care needs. Given the spatial arrangements – i.e., that the caregiver lives with her employer – relationships between employers and live-in caregivers can develop into family-like relationships. The purpose of this paper is to draw on data from two Canadian studies to examine the relationships between migrant live-in caregivers and their employers. Design/methodology/approach The first study focused on the live-in caregivers in Canada. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 Filipina nurses who migrated to Canada through the Live-in Caregiver Program. The second study was a pilot descriptive study that included interviews of recruiter groups and employers of live-in caregivers. Data were thematically analyzed, aided by NVivo software. Findings The studies indicate that some live-in caregivers prefer to be treated as one of the family, while others prefer to have a strictly professional employer/employee relationship. Their employers are similarly divided. The authors identify reciprocity and respect as important ingredients for healthy relationships between live-in caregivers and their employers. Without these key ingredients, relationships between employers and live-in caregivers can be exploitative, especially given the unequal power inherent in the relationship. Research limitations/implications Further studies are needed to better understand how these relationships evolve over time and in space. Practical implications There is a need to create policies to further prevent exploitation of live-in caregivers within an unfavorable employee or familial relationship. Originality/value This study provides useful insight into the development of knowledge on relationships between live-in caregivers and employers.