trial period?

I would like to know if a 2-year contract with a domestic helper can include a trial period of a few months (2 or 3)?


We are looking for a helper and there is little we can know about her until she starts actually working with us, so I think there should be a trial period during which either party can terminate the contract without all the termination implications that you have during the rest of the contract period.


Is there something like this or it is always a blind 2-year commitment from the beginning?

The best thing to do if you want a kind of 'trial period' is to seek to hire a helper who is already here in HK and nearing the end of her contract. You cannot get a 2-3 month trial, but at least you could interview the helper in person, which is much better than hiring direct from the country, with all the responsibility and risk of it. She may also be willing to demonstrate her work ability for some period of time, between the end of her work and the end of her visa (could be about two weeks).


You could also try a live-out helper. Costs more but saves some of the risk and difficulty of a live-in helper.


Try your best to ask helpers around you if they have friends who are near the end of contract. If they ask in their churches, there's almost always someone.