advice on hiring driver

we were looking for a driver and introduced to one through one of the other drivers in our building

during the interview the potential driver asked for 11.000 hkd salary per month for 5 1/2 day work (saturday afternoon and sunday off) He also asked for 2 weeks holiday for cristmas. As we will be gone anyway we did not think of this as a problem. We agreed he would start 1st of december


Next day driver comes back with the paperwork and tells us:

he can only start 15th of december because of immigration

he expects us to pay salary for his 2 week holiday this cristmas (definately a no go)

wants to know his mealallowance and tells us all drivers get this

want us to sign a DH contract with him stating that he is living with us even though he lives out.


We are new to hong kong and not familiar with this.

Any advice is very welcome

We are also wondering about this DH contract. I guess this is illegal. (than it's off the table for us)

There are two kinds of drivers:

- Local drivers. Just like any other local employee.

- Domestic helper with driving duties. A domestic helper who is allowed to drive within domestic duties. This must be approved by Immigration in an addendum to the contract. Driving employer to/from work is not permitted.


DH drivers are typically paid 9000 and up so the salary and conditions he is asking for are not out of the ordinary. Meal allowance is not something "all drivers get" but in the grand scheme of things it doesn't seem like a big deal. Unfortunately DH drivers are a scarce commodity so they can often name their price and you get this kind of attitude.


Living out is illegal for any DH, even one with driving duties.


One option is to have a DH without a license take the HK license training and test (approx. 3 months and $6000-8000) and then add the driving duties to her contract.


Another option is to hire the husband of your current DH (if you have one) if he is available and have him take the HK license training and test. This also neatly solves most living-in issues.

Hi,


I usually don't post on here, but am bothered by this message. I feel this driver is taking advantage from you from the outset and it can only go downhill. Always you are the employer, and you are hiring to have your needs met. This doesn't mean that you can't be flexible and generous when it's warranted.


11,000 is a very good salary and should already include food allowance, as that way of quoting salary (all inclusive) is typical for drivers. With a maid you would offer the base (let's say 4,000) plus food allowance of 750.


The typical work week is 6 days - but 6 full days, which are typically 12 hour days, and for many it's much longer. Don't short change yourself or limit your Saturday afternoon activities - suddenly once you agree to his terms you will find a bunch of stuff cropping up where you will need the driver. Further, it is your choice which day of the week you give off. You don't have to give Sundays, which everyone leads you to believe. Many people will give Wednesday, Thursday - or any other day of the week depending on their personal needs.


As far as vacation, you can give him the time if it suits you this year (but what about next year!), but it should not at all be paid. I would consider starting the contract after the holidays. Be careful about committing yourself to a fixed vacation schedule. I don't remember the law, but they are allowed 7 days paid, per year (please check this).


Regardless of who you hire, please keep written records - signed by both you and the DH - should you have problems in the future.


I've had honest drivers, and quite unscrupulous ones. Don't allow yourself to be taken advantage of.

Many thanks for both your responses.

I started to get the idea that he wanted to take advantage when he made it look like it was not more than normal that I should give him a 2 week paid holiday after working for me for only 1 week.


We simply wont hire him anymore. Negotiating is fine but how this went is leaving a bad taste in my mouth. He knows we are new to HK and tried to take advantage. I really want someone that is honest and trustworthy as he will be driving our kids around.

With the info you both gave me I know better what to ask for

Thanks!

I must agree with HKM3. This driver seems to be all about "want want want". I doubt it would be a happy employment. Good on you for not hiring him.



"I don't remember the law, but they are allowed 7 days paid, per year (please check this)."


And increasing with years employed. Also two weeks unpaid leave between contracts.


"You don't have to give Sundays, which everyone leads you to believe. Many people will give Wednesday, Thursday - or any other day of the week depending on their personal needs."


True. However it is decent to agree before signing.

Does anyone of you have experience with hiring a local/PR driver?

We dont have room for a live-in driver and we are not so sure that it would be a good idea to let someone on a DH contract live-out


Is a local/PR more expensive? diffent hours?


Could you ask a driver to help look after the children (7 and 8)

I am pregnant of no 4 and we dont have room for 2 helpers in our home but 4 kids would be to much for 1 helper so ideally we would someone drive & look after the oldest 2

Dear arrianeandrey,

We are very interested. I have send you a private message with my phone no.


And beancurd, thanks for the reply. We already have an excellent helper, so a couple is not possible for us.

Kind regards

I agree with googler 11k far too much, also if you have an FDH you are happy with already, and don't have room to accomodate another Foreign/driver you may be breaking the law-hiring an FDH for driving duties to live out, I think they have to be provided with accomodation at their employers house, just like helpers.

I would look at the local driver option, maybe a retired bus or taxi driver, have a look on the governments web site for locals, I think it is called Smart employment.

We already made up our mind not to hire a fdh with driving duties as we do not have accomodation.

Just wondering: what are the rules, if any, for a local driver,

contract?,

holidays, how many and should they be paid?

workinghours?

insurance?

What would be a reasonable package

I think I have had a look at smart employment website earlier and it is in mandarin/cantonees, I cant find it back though. I'll try look further.