Posted by
awym
18 yrs ago
Is there an expected amount to give domestic helpers for Chinese New Year? I know in Shanghai, it was the equivalent of a month's salary ... same in HK?
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crj
18 yrs ago
Same as above - 500 HKD for Birthday, CNY, Christmas...
We also do small bonuses when guests stay with us - for example, when parents come to stay for a week or more they usually tip 500... so throughout the year there are small unexpected bonuses.
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Not sure what we are going to do this year but last year we did not give anything as we had just given her bonus for both xmas and her birthday and neither her nor us are chinese.
My husband won't get anything from his work. Apprently his boss will give him something but he is then expected to give everyone in his team who is not married something even though he is not their manager - so we will be out of pocket.
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In Shanghai, the wages for a helper are much MUCH lower than here in Hong Kong. I don't think there is any rule of thumb in terms of what an appropriate bonus is, especially if you are not Chinese and/or already give a bonus at yearend. It really depends on your own personal circumstances. Personally, I think the bonus amount matters a lot less than the monthly wage or the size of the room the helper sleeps in.
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awym
18 yrs ago
As always, very informative! She just started with us in mid-January, but I feel I should give her something, so I wanted to strike a balance between too little and too much. Thanks everybody!
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crj
18 yrs ago
I would not give 500 bonus to a helper who just started... too early in the contract... unless you think she is really really wonderful.
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awym
18 yrs ago
She's not entitled to holiday pay in the first few months? I didn't know that! I just thought it's a straight $3400/mth (which includes the paid statutory holidays) ... no?
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ShazP
18 yrs ago
Can anyone tell me how long the unapid statuatory holidays are when one starts a contract? Is it for the first month or first three months.
Thanks
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MayC
18 yrs ago
I know a friend who's had hers for 3 years and is only paying HK$200 (a HK$100 from her and another HK$100 from her hubby).
Mine's started not long ago also and I'm planning on giving her the same. I usually give more but it's still early days and she's still getting used to things so I don't want to give the idea that she's doing an excellent job by giving her more money. In future, when she does demonstrate that she's very good, I will give her more.
Her birthday is in July and I think it's still going to be HK$200 (a hundred each from hubby and myself).
With CNY coming up and they've just started (under 3 months), does that mean that they don't get holidays on the 17th, 19th and 20th? Or do they get those holidays but don't get paid?
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well its up to the employer,if they want to give the bunos to his/her DH,and if ur heart is open to give the bunos to ur DH,its better,but IF ur feeling is bad or not good,to give the bunos to ur DH,dont do it....cause that is not the law....BUT,if u can appreciate they honest to do they job for u,etc....again,its up to the employer...
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I will give one month's wages, so $5000 this year. Same as last year. Our DH does a fantastic job all year round, and I know a bonus is appreciated by everyone! At Christmas we give her presents and for her birthday we usually pay her airfare so she can pop back home for a couple of weeks.
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cd
18 yrs ago
To Helenahk,
I agree with you, many people here seem to forget the relationaship is an employer/employee one, not a member of the family. Personally I don't see I should spend more on my helpers birthday and christmas presents than on my friends and family. I usually stick to around $300. As for CNY, we don't normally give anything, as neither my helper or ourselves are chinese so neither of us celebrate it. But if we do, it will be a token gesture, $50 or $100, especially seeing as most of the posts about Lai see say its the gesture thats important, not the amount.
As to the working on sundays, helpers don't have to have sundays off, they are entitled to 24 hours off in any 7 day period, its up to the employer to decide which day, its just that the majority have sundays.
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I agree- I don't think there are any norms here just like all the helpers have different tasks and responsibilities throughout the year, so it's difficult to answer the initial question which was an 'expected amount'. Looks like there isn't one, and I agree with all the reasons why the replies differ. My personal one is based on the fact that our helper is a full time nanny to my 2 year old, keeps the house clean and running smoothly while my husband and I work long hours- I sometimes have to travel or get back late at 8pm. It's a long day for her, and I appreciate it. But if my circumstances were different, so would they bonus I pay her!
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awym
18 yrs ago
Thanks to all. Very informative. Realizing that there isn't an expected amount, I'm still glad to hear everyone's opinion as it has greatly helped with my decision-making.
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dss
18 yrs ago
200 for CNY (did not want to make it a big thing), 1-2 mth bonus yrly for her support as I also worked long hrs and had regular biz trips, then she stayed home on her own initiative. Need to consider her long service, wWith me for 7 yrs. Anyway, I do get bonuses for my work, so will reward her too. When I was sick, she was there to nurse me too. Frequent family visits also created more housekeeping chores.
2nd mth is when she goes for her holiday... something for her to buy goodies home, as I knew that her mthly pay was sent home to pay for her children's education.
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give her something that comes from the heart, not from the brain. If you think it is worth giving, give it! Money after all is just a paper.
If you have it, share it, If you do not have it
then share other things. Giving makes you feel good as well. So it is mutual benefit, isn't it?
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