I pay cash to my maid, but every time she has to sign a receipt of the salary for my records
Also, she has to sign her day off and her statuory hoildays and for my records.
You can be flexible and do things at you or your maid's convenience but they need to sign for things such as receipt of salary or taking holidays to protect your interests. You know Bun buns are that cunning and they would make all sort of accusations against you if they have other wilful thoughts.
forget to tell you all, there is one more good point to pay cash, you dont need to pay her cheque cause on your cheque you have your signature. I heard a story, the bun bun (of course she had other friends help her to do) mimic her employer's signature, stole her employer's cheque book and sign cheque for her and actually can cash it. I dont know how true is the story so I would not give cheque to my maid and the signature on the contract is only for the contract only and I will not use it elsewhere.