Domestic Helper Annual Holiday

Hi, we hired our DH March last year via AsiaXpat and she was already in HK. Since her last contract ended due to financial issues, she did not have to go back to the Phillipines.


First year is up in a few months and she is asking to take a whole month off in April. Normally, this is not an issue and we are very happy with her but the main reason we hired her is to take care of our baby who is now 5 months and both myself and my wife works.


Can anyone share what the offiical arrangement is as my understanding is that she get 2 weeks leave after 2 years (so one week after one year)?


We'll try to accomodate best we can but i just like to know what the normal practice is first.


Many thanks

She is entitled to 7 days of leave after 12 months of service, and another 7 days after her 2nd year of service.

Paenme's right. She's entitled to only a week PAID holiday in her one year service with you. I'm sure she knows that. IF she takes the whole month of April and you're willing to give it to her, it's up to you if you want it to be PAID or not. The contract says only 1 week so the three weeks can be UNPAID.


You mentioned that you both work and you have a 5 month old baby, I think she should be considerate with your situation. I had a problem with my first helper because of a similar demand like yours. She did not "request" for a whole month off, she demanded for it which I really did not like. Hubby and I are both working and our kids are too young to take care of themselves. She insisted that I take a 2week leave from the company I work for and after mine, hubby takes his 2 week off too. It would have been easy should we still have annual leaves left but she told us she wanted to have a month vacation after we came back from our 2 week holiday too.


You should be clear to your helper and make sure she understands your situation. You can give her a week leave or if she wants 2, you have to tell her that she's taking advance leave for her 2nd year. This means that she won't have any left when her contract finishes.


Good luck.