If you have ever seen the 2019 Oscar-winning film, “Parasite”, then you will understand this next story.
The movie revolves around an ultra-rich family who relies on hiring the poor to do their housework — whether they are cleaning the home, cooking, or driving their owners around.
During the COVID-19 era, most of the rich aren’t allowing anyone from the outside world into their sacred space — which means that these people are responsible for their own in-house duties.
The Wall Street Journal tells the story of Peter Mahler, the head of a private staffing agency for some of the best homes in the country. He is experiencing problems he has never encountered before. Just last week, he received a call from an Upper East Side executive of a financial firm to assist him with vacuum cleaner maintenance. He needed to send over photos through his cell phone for him to understand instructions.
Apparently, a call like this is common since the pandemic began. The rich are avoiding their housekeepers, their chefs, their nannies, and their gardeners to stay safe from any infection.
“Some of them are doing household tasks they haven’t done in decades,” said Mahler.
Only around 40% of his clients have decided to quarantine with a couple of staff workers.
They were, however, were incentivized with a great pay-raise — sometimes a 30% bump.
Media personality Martha Stewart is stuck at her home in Bedford, New York. She is currently sheltered with her driver, housekeeper, and gardener.
“We have three detainees, I call them,” Stewart said during an interview with Seth Meyer. “We make a nice dinner every night. We have a cocktail. We play cards after dinner.”
Although the rich families can come off as snooty at times, many still continue to pay their workers, even if they aren’t allowed in their homes. Many have been loyal, and hope to remain with their trusted people once the pandemic passes.
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To read the full story, click here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/for-the-rich-a-dilemma-quarantine-with-staff-or-do-their-own-chores-11587051916
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