Top Questions to ask when interviewing a potential Helper...

Am beginning to interview potential full-time helpers, but am new to the whole process in Hong Kong. I would like to compile a list of must-ask questions that i can use to weed out potential helpers - not general things - but more specific things such as;


- Do you have any outstanding debts with finance companies?

- Have you ever guaranteed or referred a friend to a finance company?


etc etc...


I would like some help from the most experienced employers to come up with a list of questions and if they could share some of the pitfalls.


P.S. i do realise that an employee could lie during the interview - but wouldn't then that be a cause for termination if the issue was significant enough?


Thanks!

Would you like to hear from a helper's perspective as well? If so, do let me know.

I always ask about the responsiliities of their previous jobs. It would give you a good idea what they have been doing and what they are experienced doing.


I also suggest interviewing helpers who have worked for employers who are similar to yourself and the size of the house is also similar.


If you live in a big house with garden then I dont suggest you interview someone who has been working in 600 sq ft apt, and vice versa. The results will be disappointing.

Hi SouffleQueen,


Yes, questions from a helper's perspective would be interesting to hear....


Thanks.

hi ilovecc,

i think that getting a good helpers is not all about things you wanted to ask or must know in the first place. Simply remember that helper having debts doesn't have connection of wether she is a good helper or not. What it has to do with you if the helper has debts or have referred/guaranteed someone to a finance company?!


I've read cases where helpers are being disturbed in an acceptable ways like calling employers home by rude collectors...which in some cases can be the cause of the helper's termination at work; but those are cases which i think that employer has nothing to do with their helper's debt.

Do you have worries that a helper who may have debts or have referred someone to any finacing company is not a good helper?!


Am simply thinkin that a good one cannot be measured how good she/he is by the recommendation u get or by the things you will know when you interview one...because i think that there are ones who are highly recommended but u may find them not really when she/he works for you!


Working relationship that has fair consideration to each other is simply the key for me to find one whom i will surely be happy and contented with any one i get. Am on search also for a good helper!

I am interested in this too! I'm told you should ask a helper to read for you in case she can't or to write something. I think it's best to find someone whose job was tougher than the one you'll give her and which paid less before. even if she says she'll be happy making less money than her old job, she won't!

i've found helpers are rarely good at everything. think about what's most important to you and find a helper who specializes in that...whatever it is, childcare, cooking or cleaning and try not to stress that she isn't so good in the other areas. just remember what's important. to me, she needs a reference which says 2 main things...one that she is pleasant and tries and 2 that she is flexible. some older women can't change and will tell you daily how weird your food is or how weird it is that you don't go to the market or you don't buy live chickens or whatever it is. my last helper criticized our western food daily. she'd only worked for chinese families and thought she'd love working for westerners, but got annoyed that we didn't eat rice 3 times a day. i said she could do and eat as she liked, but she wanted to make my kids eat her way, which will NOT happen in a western family, so talk things through. find someone from a similar situation like yours, but slightly tougher if possible, be fair and say your prayers. ha ha. kidding.

A helper knows that she needs to sell herself and already anticipated possible questions. She may even been prepped by her friends and/or an agent . Ask her not only what she is good at but also what she is NOT good at and how she could make up for what she thinks are her flaws.


The issue about debts will always be lied upon but dishonesty is a legal ground for dismissal without notice, so it will be good for both to make it clear from the start. I do not know where do you stand about lending money to helper on a case to case basis so these should be cleared too. Emergencies, do happen so loaning is inevitable , the problem lies when a helper borrowed more than she needs and mess up her monthly figures. In our case, our employer told us that we are her responsibilities so if we have a problem, we should tell her BEFORE anyone.


it is also the smaller things that you may not want her to have that could be annoying: i.e long hair, wearing nail polish ( some thinks it is unhygienic) dress code , privacy issue--is she expected to be around at all times or not-- , does she has to work on Sundays/ Public holidays now and then? If you do not have any problem with any of those, then it could be cropped.


She may pass that with flying colors, now how is she as a person ( after all, you will be under the same roof for sometime and will work closely together)? In a more relaxed manner, say after the interview was done, engage her in a conversation , ask her about things that you think matters. Remember, it is one thing to have a GREAT worker, another to have a good person working ( good-greatly)for you.

BTW, house size could be considered but should not be a hindrance. There used to be 7 Chinese workers in this house plus 2 part-time ( locals, too) to weed the lawn. Now, there's just 5 ( Filipinos) and part-times as needed, say during Christmas-- of us working what everyone said is a much better job than the previous lot. All of us used to live in flats not so much bigger than our flat ( quarters ) now


as maigabs raised, reference letter should only be taken as that. To my current boss I am, what she always said a star, but i know to some of my ex boss's or would be boss... I could be a pain.


These could apply to everyone, employer and employee alike.

With the past and previous helpers, and this one on process- I have emphasized

it strongly that I expect her to give me, my family first and for most - CONCERN

everything is all roll in to this one word. And told her she will receive the same from us. And it works - all past and present still are genuinely loyal to us and treated us like their second family.

Does anyone have 'a list of agreements' or 'the house rules' which I could ask the potential helper to agree upon before signing her?

These is the infamous Mrs Miggins rules which she has given us here on asiaxpat.

Please change it according to what suits you.

I have kept it as a reference only & I find it helps in many ways. Hope it helps you....


House Rules for Domestic Helper


(DH is short for Domestic Helper)


1. During the time of employment in the DH will be supervised and be responsible to Mrs. X.


2. The employer’s apartment is private property and has many personal and confidential items. The safety of the employer’s family and valuables are very important to them. At no time will the DH allow personal guests to visit the apartment/ enter the apartment without the prior approval of the employer. Also, at no time will the DH give the keys of the home to any friend or relative for any purpose whatsoever. If guests have been in the apartment without the prior approval of the employer or keys have been given to another person, the DH’s employment will be terminated immediately.


3. During working hours the DH is employed to pay full attention to their duties. The use of mobile telephones (both making and receiving phone calls) is not permitted during working hours. When the DH is not working, the employer requests that the DH take calls in their private room allocated to them and that they keep the ring tone low so as not to disturb the other people in the apartment.


4. The security of the employer’s family and apartment is very important to them. The DH will not leave either the back door or front door open at any time apart from when cleaning those areas and will make sure that all windows, back & front door and patio doors are securely locked before leaving the apartment.


5. The personal belongings of the employer are private and are not to be used, borrowed or removed for any reason.


6. The personal business, contents and belongings of the employer’s apartment are confidential and are not to be discussed with anyone.


7. The electric entertainment systems (including television, DVD player, computer, hi fi stereo, camera, ipod, video camera) in the apartment are private property and are not to be used under any circumstances.


8. If the DH is to have a television set or stereo in their room this is only to be used after the DH has finished their working hours. We ask that the DH keep’s the volume of the television to a level that will not disturb the other people in the household.


9. The employer will provide the DH with cleaning and sterilising products to do the household duties. The DH will use the products purchased by the employer to carry out their duties.


10. Please be aware that the X household is a “no smoking” household.


11. The employers telephone is “off-limits” to the DH unless in the event of an emergency, to call the employer or to make an arrangement on behalf of the employer. The telephone IS NOT to be used for making or receiving person phone calls unless with the prior approval of the employer. The cost of any unapproved phone calls made by the DH will be deducted from their monthly salary upon receipt of the telephone bill.


12. The DH will be allowed to give the employers telephone number to relatives for emergency use only.


13. As an employee the DH will pay attention to their personal grooming and hygiene. In particular the employer requests that long hair be tied back neatly so as to not fall into food, get in the way of duties etc. In addition the DH should ensure that their clothes are washed and clean and that they themselves pay attention to their own personal cleanliness and hygiene.


14. The employer will pay for return flight to the DH’s home country as per Hong Kong law governing the hiring of domestic helpers. The employer will not pay for flights to the DH’s home country and any additional expenses incurred should the DH need to return due to family emergencies or problems.


15. Should the DH need to return back to their home country due to an emergency e.g. to attend to a sick father then the cost of this will be bore by the DH and not the employer. Any time taken off work not as part of the annual leave shall be deemed as “unpaid leave”.


16. If for any reason the DH fails to return to the employer on the agreed date following holidays, emergency leave etc. then the employer will have no option but to terminate the DH’s employment and employ another DH to cover the duties required.


17. As part of their duties the DH will be taking care of the XXXX. This may be on a full-time, part-time or babysitting basis. When the DH is taking care of the baby it is essential that they follow the rules below:


a. The DH will be given training and instructions on how to “look after the baby”, that is, how the X family want the baby to be treated and taken care of e.g. feeding, bathing, playing, steralising equipment, cleaning the baby’s clothes and equipment, sleeping and discipline. The DH must follow the employer’s preferences of how they want the baby taken care of.

b. When taking care of the baby, the DH must stay with and focus on the baby 100% and not do any other household chores e.g. ironing, cleaning, cooking or vacuuming.

c. At times you will be asked to bath the baby. When doing so you must stay with the baby at all times and not leave the baby unattended under any circumstances.

d. At times you will be asked to feed the baby. This is a very important duty. You must follow the employer’s instructions on how to do this and what products to use.

e. ON NO OCCASION will the DH shake the baby, shout at the baby or use force when dealing with the baby. If the DH does any of the above their employment will be terminated immediately.


18. The employer will either do the marketing or ask the DH to do the marketing on their behalf. When cooking for the X family the DH will not use any ingredients not approved by the employer in any of the recipes.


19. If there are any accidents in the apartment e.g. breakages, burning of clothes when ironing etc. the DH must inform the employer of what has happened so that the employer can arrange to have it fixed or replaced. Honesty is the best policy!


20. The DH must ensure that after cooking the gas oven and gas stove are turned off to avoid accidents.


21. The DH is responsible for ensuring that their own room is kept clean and tidy.


22. During employment the DH will have food and drinks provided for them. The employer will also provide the DH with adequate toilet paper, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, shampoo & conditioner and feminine sanitary products.


23. During employment the DH will be provided with bed linen, towels and a TV in their room. They may also be provided with other items. These items are for use during the DH’s employment in the household and are to be left behind when employment ends.


24. As per the HK law during employment the DH is entitled to statutory holidays and to one day off per week. The one-day off per week will usually be on a Sunday. There may be a few rare occasions when the employer needs the assistance of the DH on a Sunday. When this happens the employer will give the DH two weeks prior notice and allocate another day as the DH’s day off. Other public holidays will be given at the discretion of the employer. When the DH has their day off, they should be back to the X household by 10pm so as not to disturb the family when they go to sleep and for the employer to make sure that the apartment is secure and locked up after the DH has returned.


These house rules have been made to ensure that there is good communication between the DH and employer.

thank you very much

You're welcome!

Mrs Miggins ( the author of the list of rules) said that she always ensured that the DH she was hiring read these house rules. She then asked her to write that she had 'read & understood' the rules at the bottom of the sheet & asked her to sign & date it. Seemed to have worked for Mrs. Miggins.

I have to say that I have read the rules ( or most of them) to my DHs. I did not ask any of them( 2 seperate DH's at seperate times) to sign it, I believed that they know where I am coming from & that things were made clear at the very beginning. However, the DH listened, agreed & then just tortured me & my family. They obviously did not take their job seriously. I eventually sacked them!

You cannot add these rules to the employment contract from Immigration as that a standard one ( at least thats what I believe). However, you SHOULD get your DH to sign this one too ( if you want to obviously) and then you could send a copy of it to Immigration for the visa processing or you could just keep the original with you but ensure you give your DH an original too & tell her to always read that up & refer to it as she would be held responsible if things dont work according to the rules.

All the best.....

I suggest to try the helper before hiring her. I pay her partime fee, ie HK$50-60 per hour for the work. I asked her to cook a dinner and baby sitting. This is beter than just interview. Also call the previous employer to find out more imformation about the helper is very important.