Posted by
suze
20 yrs ago
We are about to employ our first dh. She comes highly recommended and got on well with the whole family. She is asking well above the minimum wage. We were always intending to pay a bit more but not as much as she wants. Do we trust our instincts and pay what she wants or are there just as good out there for less? Any thoughts welcome.
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That's a tough one, because I know when I was interviewing, some of the helpers were really trying to bargain(as most employees would!), and some exaggerated their actual current pay. One helper told me she had been offered 5000 by other families, but when I told her current employer what she had said, her employer said bull***t!
I would offer her what you think is fair and of course what you can afford. I have been told that it is best to start on the lower end and then you can reward excellent work with raises or bonuses over time. Generally I have found that for an experienced helper, most expats pay at least 4000/ month plus the levy, and often plus a food allowance of 500. I know of many very experienced helpers working for friends who have been here for years and they are making 7000, and even 8000/month-but they have earned that over years and years.
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suze
20 yrs ago
Thank you. Just hard to know how good they are until you try them but also afraid to let a really good one go!! We have interviewed quite a few but this one so far has been all of our favourite! As we are new to this we just dont want to be taken for a ride but also are willing to pay more for the best!
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I dont have the same experience on DHs but when our company employ new staff, we always check first on their expected salary and if it is too much way high than we can afford, no matter how good they are, we wont hire them because sooner or later they will leave for a better paid one. Also the resentment for not getting what she wants might stay. But yet depends on her character. Last but not least, helpers come with high recommendations do not necessarily mean that they are good for everyone, as each household and peopler are different I talked to the employer of my first helper and she was highly recommended as a good cook, good with children and a very tidy person. All these were true except that she didnt tell me she liked talking on the phone so much. Ended up that was one of my reasons of terminating the contract. Good luck.
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yeah I think you just offer her the basic salary for the time being....actually the basic is 3670HK$ that if you dont want to less the tax...thats the best way i think. And yes you have to remember to put the minimum salary in the contract 3270HK$,dont put more in there.....bec when you get trouble in the future at least you have it written in there.
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cd
20 yrs ago
I think if she's asking for a high salary before she even starts it could be a sign of the way things will be in the future. Offer the min to start with, then bonus's for good work.
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ShazP
20 yrs ago
You are doing everything right by starting at the minimum amount of 3270/-. Once you see that she is really good, you can always increase her salary in small amounts. On top of that you can always pay her extras at X'mas, bonus, etc. That should keep her happy.
Anyone who needs a job & yet is so forthcoming in asking for a really high salary, cant be that great really. She will be bold..yes...& do as she pleases really.
I may sound harsh to some, but thats the way I look at it:)
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I'd pay the minimum ($3270). I'm paying my helper that plus the extra $400, as she has lots of experience and I thought she'd be good, but I made the mistake of not asking the previous employer (who I knew, so it's my own fault)enough questions. Yes, she can cook and look after the baby well, but she's miserable as sin (except in public, which of course is when I used to see her before and think she was good), doesn't listen, and can't clean. Now I really resent that extra $400.
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That's the levy which you have to pay to the Government. Also note that the minimum salary is 3320 since May 2005.
http://www.proxy-maid.com.hk/q&a.html
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suze
20 yrs ago
This is paid to the government so cannot be included in the salary total as it is not paid to helper?
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cd
20 yrs ago
The minimum wage used to be 3670, a $400 Government tax was then added supposedly to be paid by the employer, but at the same time the min wage was reduced by $400, thus indirectly causing the DH to pay the levy.
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F100
20 yrs ago
Many of the domestic helpers will always ask much more from an "Expat". Many of the experienced helpers are looking for employers that are literally "Fresh off the plane".
In addition to asking for way more pay, they ask for loans, tv's, cell phones and extra holidays. They like to say things like "my other employer gave me that."
They would ask way more from "expats" because they feel that you don't know better and that they can get away with it. They would never ask that amount from a "local" employer because they know that they would not get away with it.
Having said that, there are "locals" who pay above the going rate. However, this is after they have Proven themselves and have worked for the family for several years.
If you would like to give more than the going rate, give a bonuses monthly based on performance. This way, they are much more willing to work hard and keep it up.
I have had prospective employers asking me what i paid my previous maid. they were really surprised because when I told them the amount they said that she told them that she was given $3000 more per month than the going rate.
You should ask the employer directly how much they are paying her. don't tell them what amount she told you. It is also a good indication if she lies or not.
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F100
20 yrs ago
To sabi,
good advice....
especially the last part....the phrase practically all helpers use....
"my previous employer did that"
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J.D.
20 yrs ago
We're in the process of hiring a helper. In the interview we asked all the helpers what their expectations were. The one we eventually chose said she didn't need a whole lot of stuff - just the basic requirements of a furnished room as specified in the contract. And she didn't mind if she ate with us or if we gave her a food allowance. This is obviously not the only reason we've chosen her, but I'm hoping it's indicative of her attitude.
We are paying more than standard rate - she actually brought a copy of her prior contracts so we could verify her prior salaries. But after reading this I think we should have put the standard rate in the contract and then just pay bonuses.
One of the reasons we decided to pay more than standard rate is that we didn't want any resentment to build up. So we asked around our building to find out what an "average" rate was (also asking about period with employer, experience, etc). The helpers all talk amongst each other so it wouldn't surprise me if they all know each others salaries. But you could achieve the same by paying bonuses.
Having said that, I've since heard that you don't need to pay more than the standard rate as there are alot of helpers looking for work, so eventually you'll find one that suits you and your budget. Although it might take time and some effort on your part. (We interviewed 12 helpers in all, and know of people who have interviewed more than 20.)
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ShazP
20 yrs ago
Refering to yogini above....I have not read anywhere that the salary of DH's have been increased to 3320/- since May 2005. I cannot seem to open the site posted on it.
Anyone have any news on that?
I am certain my DH would have certainly informed me of the increase.
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cd
20 yrs ago
I heard about the increase on the radio news a couple of weeks ago.
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The increase is only for new contracts.
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You get what you pay for. A very experienced helper will not work for minimum wage.
I expect a lot from my helpers and pay them what their previous employer paid them. If their last employer paid more than my budget I don't bother interviewing them. Reducing someone's pay is hardly ideal if you want them to be happy.
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zeta
20 yrs ago
With helpers, it is more luck than interviewing skills. But, it is possible to get good and experienced helper at the minimum wage. I think it is best to pay them minimum wage when you first employ them coz you don't know how good they are (even if they come with recommandation). My helper came to me with 10 years experince. She worked with a Chinese family who trained her well. I paid her the minimum wage which was $3,680 then. She is now on her 3rd contract and I kept the same amount. But, as she is good, I do give her bonuses, say during Christmas, CNY, her birthday, etc. Throughout the years, I also gave her treats such as a TV, radio and a paid holiday to the Philippines. I think this is better as they get rewarded for doing good work and you don't feel ripped off.
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CN
20 yrs ago
A good DH should be asking for more than minimum wage in my opinion.
I want someone who is resourceful & savvy. To me, an experienced maid who asks for minimum wage doesn't rate her own skills as being highly developed.
I respect a DH who asks for more. In my job I've never accepted the basic level. To me asking more shows that a person has pride in themselves, their skills. I'm happy to hire someone like that.
It's interesting how we all view this issue so differently!!
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We all view this issue so differently is BECAUSE we have different requirements for good DHs. Some families might need someone mainly with love and care for their children, a less than perfect cleaning skills might not be a problem. Couples without children wl look for DHs with good cleaning, ironing and cooking skills. Some might need a very dynamic helper to entertain a lot of visitors so n so forth...
I will only pay the minimum wage but give her bonuses if she is good. That way, she will have the incentive to work better and dont just take things for granted.
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