Safety Guidelines

Your safety and peace of mind are important to us. Whether you're a homeowner or a domestic worker, please read these guidelines to help keep yourself and others safe when using MaidServSA.

Our Commitment to Safety

MaidServSA is designed with safety in mind. We provide tools to help you make informed decisions, communicate securely, and report concerns. While we cannot guarantee the behaviour of every user, we work hard to create a trustworthy community through verified profiles, transparent ratings, and responsive support.

For Homeowners

• Always review profiles before accepting. Check the applicant's ratings, written reviews, uploaded CV, and experience answers. A well-established profile with positive reviews is a good sign.
• Use in-app messaging. Discuss all job details through the platform's messaging system. This keeps a record of your conversations for your protection.
• Don't share sensitive personal information. Avoid sending banking details, ID numbers, or other sensitive data through messages.
• Report inappropriate messages. If you receive anything offensive or suspicious, use the report button on the message.
• Report unfair or suspicious ratings. If you believe a rating is dishonest or manipulated, report it for our team to review.
• Meet workers at a safe entrance. When your worker arrives, greet them at your front door or gate in a well-lit area.
• Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong at any point, cancel the job and contact our support team. Your safety comes first.

For Domestic Workers

• Verify job details before applying. Read the full job description carefully. Check the client's ratings and reviews from previous workers.
• Use in-app messaging. Communicate through the platform rather than sharing your personal phone number until you feel comfortable.
• Never pay upfront fees. No legitimate client will ask you to pay money to get a job. MaidServSA is free to use. If anyone asks you to pay, report them immediately.
• Report suspicious job postings. If a job looks misleading, unrealistic, or inappropriate, report it to our support team.
• Know your rights. As a domestic worker in South Africa, you have legal protections. See the section below for more details.
• Tell someone you trust. Before going to a new job, share the job location and your expected schedule with a friend or family member.
• Trust your instincts. If a situation feels unsafe when you arrive or during the job, leave immediately and contact support. Your safety is more important than any job.

Platform Safety Features

MaidServSA includes several features designed to protect you:

Location Privacy

Your exact home address is never shown publicly. Only your suburb or general area is visible to other users. Your full address is only shared with the specific worker you accept for a job.

In-App Messaging

All conversations between clients and workers happen on the platform. Messages are recorded and stored, which means there is a clear record if any dispute arises.

Message Reporting

If you receive an inappropriate, threatening, or suspicious message, you can report it directly using the report button on the message. Our admin team will review reported messages and may redact content where necessary.

Rating Moderation

If you receive a rating that you believe is unfair, dishonest, or inappropriate, you can report it. Our team reviews all reported ratings and takes action where needed.

General Reporting System

You can report any of the following directly from within the app:

• User profiles — fake profiles, harassment, fraud, or inappropriate content
• Job listings — fraudulent or policy-violating postings
• Applications — spam, inappropriate messages, or fraudulent applications
• Messages — harassment, threats, or inappropriate content
• Suspicious activity — multiple accounts, payment fraud, identity theft

When you submit a report, the reported item is locked and cannot be edited while it is under review. Our admin team triages reports by severity and may warn, suspend, or permanently ban users found to be in violation.

Content Moderation

Our admin team monitors the platform and can remove inappropriate content, suspend accounts, or permanently ban users who pose a risk to the community.

Profile Verification

Workers can upload CVs, complete experience questionnaires, and build a track record of verified ratings from completed jobs. This helps clients make informed hiring decisions.

How to Report an Issue

Report a Message

Open the conversation, find the message in question, and click the Report button. Select a reason and severity, add any extra detail, then submit. Our team will review it.

Report a Rating

View the rating on the relevant profile or job, click the report button, and describe why you believe it is inappropriate or unfair.

Report a User Profile

Open the maid's profile and click the Report profile link at the bottom. Choose a reason (e.g. fake profile, harassment, fraud), set the severity, and submit. The profile will be flagged for admin review.

Report a Job or Application

Open the job listing or application and click the Report button. Select the most relevant reason and submit. The item will be locked from editing while the report is active.

Report Suspicious Activity

If you suspect multiple accounts, payment fraud, or identity theft, use the in-app report flow and select Suspicious Activity as the report type.

Urgent or Unresolved Concerns

If your concern is urgent or not resolved through the in-app tools, contact us at support@maidservsa.co.za with the relevant user name, job ID, or message details.

Emergency Situations

If you are in immediate danger or witness a crime, contact the South African Police Service (SAPS) immediately:

SAPS Emergency: 10111

Your Rights as a Domestic Worker in South Africa

If you are a domestic worker, it's important to know your legal rights. South African law provides specific protections for domestic workers:

• Minimum wage: Sectoral Determination 7 sets the minimum wage for domestic workers. Employers must pay at least this amount.
• Written agreement: If you are regularly employed, your employer must provide written details of your employment ( such as hours, duties, and pay).
• Working hours: The maximum is 45 hours per week for workers employed fewer than 5 days, or 27 hours per week for workers employed 5 or more days.
• Leave: You are entitled to annual leave, sick leave, and family responsibility leave as set out in the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
• Unfair dismissal protection: You cannot be dismissed without a valid reason and a fair process.

For more information or to report a labour dispute, contact the Department of Employment and Labour at 012 309 4000.

Useful South African Resources

If you need help or information, these organisations can assist:

If you ever feel unsafe, please reach out. Your wellbeing matters.