Why FDH no need to go through a probation period !

[rathunt]

To pin: Regarding the last paragraph - the first helper we hired last year from Singapore (Filippina) with what we found out later "denied entry to Singapore" for 2 years (after we got her passport copy - means she was terminated in Singapore which the HK agency did surely not tell us).
She was that super stupid that we feared the safety of our son & fired her after 5 weeks - she signed a mutual agreement that she only receives half of her payment lieu in notice. She first extended her visa, then she went to the Labour Department to sue us for the balance of her month salary. Surely she WON - any of her several signatures on the mutual agreement, the final payment receipt did not count. This was by the way not about the money - this was about that we did not get what we have paid for. We also complained at the CONSUMER COUNCIL on that case against the agency - no use - waste of time. The agency surely totally rejected any wrong - doing in supporting such a complete "helpless / useless helper".

Quick question, you interviewed and hired this so called "super stupid" person only for her to effectively outsmart you right? Does that put you into the superduper stupid bracket?

[Mat]

Am still convinced this is a big wind up.

[flameproof]

• Most people can't cook, leave alone maids. Ask her to fry an egg, that's the ultimate cooking skill test.

• Get one that's already in HK, let her work for you for half a day, incl. cooking.

• Don't trust recommendation letters, call the last employer, story is is often VERY different.

[added]
• FDH Introduction from agents - don't believe a word.

In return you get a virtual slave. On call for 24 hours. Exempted from minimum wage laws and even have to work when typhoon #8 is on.

[dumbdonkey]

"Yes ma'am yes sir" seriously


Donkey

[INXS]

"Yes ma'am yes sir" seriously


Donkey

I asked our helper not to call me sir...she said, "Okay sir.".

[elliee]

To pin: Regarding the last paragraph - the first helper we hired last year from Singapore (Filippina) with what we found out later "denied entry to Singapore" for 2 years (after we got her passport copy - means she was terminated in Singapore which the HK agency did surely not tell us).

She was that super stupid that we feared the safety of our son & fired her after 5 weeks - she signed a mutual agreement that she only receives half of her payment lieu in notice. She first extended her visa, then she went to the Labour Department to sue us for the balance of her month salary. Surely she WON - any of her several signatures on the mutual agreement, the final payment receipt did not count.

Couple issues here. First, do your own homework, don't rely on an agency. Its easy enough to look at her passport and make sure that the visas line up with the job history she has provided you - it takes like 15 minutes.

Second, YOU CANNOT VERY LABOUR LAWS BY HAVING YOUR HELPER SIGN A PIECE OF PAPER THAT SAYS I AGREE TO VARY THE LAW. Yes, I am shouting. These protections are there for a reason and are in most cases absolute. Am amazed that so many people think they can do whatever the hell they want regardless of the law, as long as they get their helper to agree with their illegal scheme.

Sounds like you need to improve your interviewing skills. Don't ask yes and no questions. Instead of "can you cook" ask "what dishes do you cook", etc.

[Claire ex-ax]

Employ a local person.

[mrdollars]

Okay I have some sympathy for the fabricated resume. I think that's probably good grounds for terminating an employment contract.

As for the cooking, if it was an important part of the job then why didn't you ask her to cook you something at the interview stage or at least describe a few meals she can make (the ingredients, the recipe etc).

flameproof, offered the best suggestion... Ask to try her out for a day. I do that before signing an FDH's contract.

[flameproof]

I asked our helper not to call me sir...she said, "Okay sir.".

That is a normal request, you are not alone, many people opt for 'master'.

[elliee]

Am still convinced this is a big wind up.

i wish. see these kinds of complaints all the time. i have a neighbour who has been going around whinging about her helper asking to go to bed at 11pm (their helper wakes at 5am to work). she seriously feels like her helper is taking advantage of them. Such a twisted sense of entitlement...

similarly see employers asking for helpers to do all sorts of things that violate labour laws.

saw online just yesterday some guy in Disco Bay asking "Can anyone refer me a helper? 800' sq ft, Discovery Bay, working couple with 3 year old kid, live in Kitchen, with air conditioning. Most helpers are not happy with the live in kitchen but there is no extra room to let the helper sleep. If you know any good helper that doesn't cares too much about this, please let me know asap. "

its like he doesn't seem to think there is anything wrong with housing a person in his kitchen - hey at least it has ac!