Here is a checklist to help you prepare:

• Sleeping arrangements are ready

  • Warm blanket for the winter

  • Adequate ventilation

  • Fan for the summer

  • Storage for her things
    

• Written work schedule:

Most helpers have never used the calendar app on their phones except to look up a date. Give them the work schedule ahead of time and ask them to enter it into their phone calendar and set alarms/reminders as needed. This is an important skill. 

• Emergency Protocol

Write down emergency contacts on a card for them to keep in their bag. Helper phones have poor battery life so a card in their purse is a safeguard. 

• Payday, etc. 

Discuss when the payday will be and ask for her input. Sometimes helpers have bills to pay in the Philippines and if they are late they incur high interest and penalties. Adjusting their payday to accommodate these bills can help them stay out of financial trouble. 

When she arrives give her a small advance ($300 -$500)  on her salary and have her sign for it. This will allow her to have money for her day off and personal necessities for the first 30 days in Hong Kong.

• Rest days and holidays

During the Covid pandemic many helpers are spending their day off in their employers home. Discuss the arrangements with her. Please understand that she also needs some time away from your family, so allow time for her to walk in a nearby park or shopping mall. We all need mental health breaks. 

We have briefed the helper that statutory holidays are without pay for the first 3 months. Most helpers would like to work on the holidays during the 1st 3 months to avoid wage loss, but not all. 

• House rules

What are your big "must" an "must not do" behaviors. Don't assume they know, tell them. "Common sense" is only common to those who grow up in the culture. Hong Kong common sense is different from Filipino common sense. Don't assume they know - tell them clearly. Even God limited himself to 10 commandments, so don't have too many. 

• Food

  • When will she eat her meals? Where?

  • Ask her what food she likes (hint: lots of rice). Helpers send me pictures of their meals with rice, a few veggies, and chicken feet or chicken heads. That is offensive to them. They work hard so make sure they are fed well. 

  • If you give a food allowance you need to provide a place for her to store her food and allow her to cook her food in the kitchen.
    

• Children

  • What is your parenting style? 

  • What are your goals for the kids?

  • Physical punishment and shouting at kids is rarely done in the Philippines. Your helper will find it shocking if this is part of your parenting style.  

  • Most of our customers want their helpers to be actively engaged with their children. We tell helpers this, but you may need to reinforce this message if she focuses too much on housework and not enough on the kids. 

We hope that you and your helper will get off to a brilliant start, but it normally takes 2-3 months for the helpers to get up to speed, so be patient. You waited a long time for her to arrive, now give her time to learn her job well. 

If you have any questions call us at 2151-1125 or what'sapp Allan at 6191-0376.