Statutory and general holidays

I'm not sure about the details here: Is it correct that I'm required to grant my helper paid leave on statutory holidays, but not on general public holidays? So I would let her take a day off on Thursday (Ching Ming, statutory holiday), but ask her to work on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday (general holidays)? Any clarifications are welcome.

For your reference and use:


http://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/latest_holidays2007.htm


The 12 statutory holidays for 2007 are:


1. The first day of January (1 January)

2. The day preceding Lunar New Year's Day (17 February)*

3. The second day of the Lunar New Year (19 February)

4. The third day of the Lunar New Year (20 February)

5. Ching Ming Festival (5 April)

6. Labour Day (1 May)

7. Tuen Ng Festival (19 June)

8. Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day (1 July)

9. The day following the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival (26 September)

10. National Day (1 October)

11. Chung Yeung Festival (19 October)

12. Chinese Winter Solstice Festival (22 December) or Christmas Day (25 December) (at the option of the employer)

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies. I was actually thinking of giving her some of the other days off, but I'm pregnant with my second and feeling miserable much of the time, so I'm glad for every day she can help me. So I guess I'll just stick to the statutory holidays.

I aske my helper if she preferred Thursday or Friday (Good Friday so she could go to Church) off, and she said Thursday since her Sister was off, and her Sister will come over and hang out here.


We allow her to have her friend or family come here, as it is one small perk we can offer as her area is big enough.


Totally understand how you feel... I just had my second on Friday! Hang in there, and guess what? it is much easier with the second as you are so much more relaxed... we have been amazed at the difference.

According to a HK Government website(http://www.info.gov.hk/info/holiday_e.htm) the following are general public holidays.


Ching Ming Festival 5 Apr Thursday,

Good Friday 6 Apr Friday,

The day following Good Friday 7 Apr Saturday

Easter Monday 9 Apr Monday.


According to Labour Department, all employees (including Foreign Domestic Helpers) are entitled to the above statutory holidays. Any more are purely at the discretion of the employer. If the statutory holiday falls on a rest day, a holiday should be granted on the day following the rest day which is not a statutory holiday or an alternative holiday or a substituted holiday or a rest day.


http://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/...eaflet_Eng.pdf


The 12 statutory holidays for 2007 are :


1. The first day of January (1 January)

2. The day preceding Lunar New Year's Day (17 February)

3. The second day of the Lunar New Year (19 February)

4. The third day of the Lunar New Year (20 February)

5. Ching Ming Festival (5 April)

6. Labour Day (1 May)

7. Tuen Ng Festival (19 June)

8. Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day (1 July)

9. The day following the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival (26 September)

10. National Day (1 October)

11. Chung Yeung Festival (19 October)

12. Chinese Winter Solstice Festival (22 December) or Christmas Day (25 December) (at the option of the employer)


http://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/la...lidays2007.htm