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Hi,
We recently posted an advert for a helper with the intention of doing all the paperwork ourselves and cutting out the agency.
We received plenty of responses and have narrowed down to a few candidates but a few things keep cropping up that I would like to ask about.
Not a single helper seems to have a reference from all her jobs, and it seems they can be quite casual about not having them? (i'm not sure if for helpers having worked for agencies previously, references were not as important?)
Quite a lot of the helpers who are due to finish contract shortly and do not wish to renew, have instead told their employers they will return home etc instead of saying they do not wish to renew and want to find something else. Often they say they don't wish to upset their employer but I'm not sure what the point of this is. This is also used to explain why they cant get a reference from their current employer.
In the case of no reference being available, is there a way to simply confirm whether a helper would have at least finished the contract they have said they have? passport , visa etc?
Thanks!
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13-08-2018, 07:39 PM #1
Verifying Domestic Helper Background/Employment
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13-08-2018, 08:12 PM #2
Do not hire someone without checking their references. There are lots of good helpers out there, you do need to look hard though.
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13-08-2018, 08:37 PM #3
Recommend you wait for a helper who can provide a reference, especially if you have children. I don’t know any reasonable employer who would refuse to give a reference.
It is true however that they sometimes lie saying they’re going back home instead of admit they’re looking for a new job. In which case they are not asking for a reference because they don’t want their boss to know their plans.
Other case of course is it’s a bad reference, or one that reveals mismatch between the helpers claims re: salary, duties, etc.
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15-08-2018, 12:52 PM #4
This makes me sick knowing that this unprofessional job requires a reference letter like we are working for a company. How can I get a reference from the employer that I will work for ? which tells how they treat helpers? The quality of a housemaid depends on human nature and how you treat them.
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15-08-2018, 01:02 PM #5
So a potential employer should let someone live in their home and take care of their children with no idea of the person's history?
As for the helper, she should do her diligence too. I found out that several of the candidates I considered went straight from my flat to the common areas of my estate to chat with other helpers and ask about my family and what kind of people we are. So let's not act as though it doesn't go both ways.
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15-08-2018, 01:28 PM #6
That is the risk that you have to face living with stranger according to the rules that a housemaid must live in the employer's home and you may not want to extract someone's past as much as possible. To know someone personality depends on your intelligence and not only in a week).
That's okay if you can wait for a helper with a reference or you can get it, it's lucky. But it is not always a DH with a reference to suit your wishes, considering each family has a different set of life.
I personally, if the employer is good it will make the maid respect, which mean they will not make us want to say bad things, because there's nothing to say it.
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15-08-2018, 01:52 PM #7
Some good employers provide reference letter to good helpers whenever required, especially those who are moving out from Hong Kong and leaving their beloved helpers jobless.
In case of unavailability of reference letter, you can check their current employment contract and visa on their passports. It will be helpful if they can provide the contact number of their current employers.
For those helpers who can't ask for reference letters and/ or provide contact number of their current employers, they simply don't want to let their employers know that they are planning to move. Usually, these type of helpers are not renewing their contract due to working condition (i.e. long working hours, poor accommodation - sleeping on the kitchen, laundry room, stock room, food problem - employers are feeding them instant noodles for breakfast, dinner & lunch, some are counting everything in the fridge & kitchen & never allow the helper to touch it, salary, etc.).
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15-08-2018, 01:56 PM #8
Apologies for making you feel sick, that wasn't my intention - was merely looking for a bit of advice. Maybe you can help me then, I am hiring somebody to spend most of the day alone looking after my newborn baby. What do you think is an appropriate recruitment process?
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15-08-2018, 02:12 PM #9
Our helper claimed she wanted to go home to be with her family but actually had a job overseas. She eventually admitted it and we gave the reference once we had all the information. We’re not even remotely abusive and would have given our blessing anyway had she been honest. So it’s not always true that if they don’t have a reference it’s because of bad treatment. Sometimes they just are afraid to say they want a different job.
I think a stay at home parent or couple with no kids can take more chances on a helper without references. But if you’re leaving your kids with someone especially if they are too young to report abuse - don’t do it. Your job as a parent is to protect your children not take a chance on any helper looking for work.
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15-08-2018, 02:23 PM #10
[QUOTE=merchantms;3585735]Our helper claimed she wanted to go home to be with her family but actually had a job overseas. She eventually admitted it and we gave the reference once we had all the information. We’re not even remotely abusive and would have given our blessing anyway had she been honest. So it’s not always true that if they don’t have a reference it’s because of bad treatment. Sometimes they just are afraid to say they want a different job. QUOTE]
That is why I wrote "usually" and also "salary" as one of the reason.
Originally Posted by gloomysunday:
