Posted by
hapless
15 yrs ago
Hi all, I'm having my 1st child in Dec this year and will be hiring a helper for the 1st time and would like some clarity. In Singapore, I can verify a helpers' employment history with the Ministry of Manpower... its very detailed from what I"ve been told and all transparent.
Can I do the same here and who do I contact? I'm about to contact some domestic agencies to start shortlisting and will also check with them but would appreciate any advise.
I really cant deal with the nightmare of a bad helper situation on top of a new born to take care of .
Thanks all.
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What some employers do is they contact the previous employer of the helper, in that way you can ask everything about the helper, if the helper don't give the contact number it means (maybe) she's hiding something.
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I haven't heard of such info service here in Hong Kong, as the previous comment says, you're quite dependent on your helper's reference letter (employers move to different places, change phone numbers, etc.) but can't really double check all.
You need to rely on your interview skills and find the best fit for your circumstance. And you may have heard it already that many would-be helpers (those who have experience working in Hong Kong) don't like to work with newborn babies, senior/sick parents, etc.
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In any case references are pretty much hit and miss unless you actually know the person giving the reference.
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Unfortunately, such as service is not available here. You can check on employer's references but I can tell you from personal experience that it's of no help. Some employers are reluctant to tell you the truth of why they fired the helper in the first place. To play safe, only shortlist those who have completed their contracts. Just sent you a PM, pls check.
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"To play safe, only shortlist those who have completed their contracts."
What if their previous employer was a very bad one and fired the helper for all the wrong reasons?
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thanks all for your help. I know its not going to be easy and i've never felt the need for one but with a new born on the way and I have no family here, this is the only way.
Thanks axptguy38, good advice and City Jammer, will check my inbox!
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A newborn's security and safety is much more important than trying to figure if the helper is actually great but worked for a crappy employer. I can say this from my own experience and I did give the helper a second chance despite her being terminated from her last employer.
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"Actually, getting good helper is also a matter of luck. Even if she has excellent reference letter, you will never know if both of you will end up liking each other."
There is some luck involved, but good interviewing/selection and good management are the most important things.
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I agree with beancurd, if employer is nice then the helper will be nice too. There are some abusive employers with regards to time of work. I know one who makes the helper responsible for newborn baby 24 hours a day and yet she is still expected to be up early in the morning to prepare breakfast and do some housework when the baby sleeps, although she herself get a minimal rest during the day, still its not enough to regain energy. This in turn makes the helpers always sulky which the employer finds unethical. Who do you think is unethical between them?
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