Philippines Labor Secretary Suspends OECs until 1/12/2017
The Secretary for Labor in the Philippines has temporarily suspended the issuance of Overseas Employment Certificates while they do some "investigation". The Overseas Employment Certificate OEC is issued to a worker who will leave the Philippines to work overseas. The OEC is issued AFTER the person has received a travel visa from the country to which they are deploying. Even if your helper has a visa to work in Hong Kong, they cannot leave the Philippines without an OEC. If your helper is expected to arrive in Hong Kong in late November or early December there will almost certainly be a delay. MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR OUTSIDE HELP ASAP. If your helper is expected to arrive late December or early January there may still be delays. The last line of the notice says "subject to extension as circumstances may require".
What can you do? Call and write the Philippines Consulate and complain. Talk to the Hong Kong Labor Department and ask them to pressure their Philippines counterpart to deal with the problem in a less disruptive way.
Philippines Overseas Labor Office: polo.hongkong@yahoo.com
Hong Kong Labor: enquiry@labour.gov.hk
If you need your helper asap, make some noise!
Arrangement of work and holiday in times of typhoons and rainstorm
Hong Kong is frequented by tropical cyclones (commonly known as “typhoons”) and rainstorms during the summer months. It is essential for employers and foreign domestic helpers(FDHs) to set out reasonable and practicable rest / work in the tropical cyclone warning (hereinafter referred to as "typhoon warning") or rainstorm warning arrangement. This helps to prevent unnecessary disputes and confusion, maintain good employer-domestic helper relationship.
What should an employer do?
Employers should consult and involve FDHs in working out prior work arrangements and contingency measures for typhoon signal number 8 or above or black rainstorm warnings. *
Typhoon affected period
If the Observatory issued a typhoon signal number 1 or 3 and announced that it had the opportunity to switch to the No. 8 typhoon on the day of the FDH’s holiday, the weather condition would continue to deteriorate. The employer should consider one of the following possible arrangements:
1.advise the FDH not to go out for safety reasons, take the holiday at home and rest.
2. cancel the holiday, but work. Employer will give ee holiday replacement, or pay FDH for working in the holiday.
3. FDH still goes out for holiday.
1. The employer should advise the FDH not to go out for safety reasons, take the holiday at home and rest.
Rest at home also prevent the risk that the FDH may ask to stay outside because of the problem of traffic.
If the FDH agrees to rest at home, the employer shall not ask the FDH to work on the rest day. <<Employment Ordinance>> says the employer should not ask the FDH to work during the rest day. Unless the FDH volunteer to at rest.
As FDH may not be able to go out under such weather conditions, employers should also provide food and drinking water at home for FDH’s consumption where appropriate.
2. The employer can also discuss with the FDH, if she agrees to cancel the rest day, to work.
If the FDH agrees, the employer would pay wages, or give a separate rest day. Employers may consider giving typhoon or rainstorm allowances as an encouragement if your FDH are willing to work in times of typhoons and rainstorms.
Provide employees with adequate facilities and equipment such as safety helmets and raincoats to ensure their safety at work.
3. FDH still goes out for holiday
If you choose to let your FDH to go out for holiday under a possible typhoon No. 8, you should consider to let her leave home before the typhoon warning signal is no. 8 is issued (public transport services are still working) and understand that she may not be able to come on time due to actual difficulties. Be flexible.
The employer should provide the FDH the urgent contact number, so FDH can inform the employer immediately if she cannot come on time because of any reason.
During the rainstorm
When the black rainstorm warning is in effect, the road may be heavily flooded and the weather is bad. For the sake of the safety of the FDH, the employer should ask the helper to rest at home until the Black Rainstorm Warning is canceled. Unless the parties have agreed in advance of the relevant work arrangements.
* Employers may refer to t<<The Code of Practice under Typhoon and Rainstorm Warning>> to formulate the work arrangements and contingency measures for Typhoon Warning No. 8 or above or Black Rainstorm Warning. For more information, please visit the following website: http://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/wcp/Rainstorm.pdf
If the employer has further question, please contact the Labor Department at 2718 1771 (this hotline is available from "1823") on the Labor Department's website: http://www.labour.gov.hk
颱風警告或黑色暴雨警告下的工作/假期安排
香港夏季常有熱帶氣旋（俗稱“颱風”）和暴雨，因此僱主必須和外傭盡快訂明在熱帶氣旋警告（下稱“颱風警告”）或暴雨警告下合理而切實可行的休息/ 工作安排。這些安排可避免不必要的爭拗及混亂，有助維持良好的僱傭關係。
僱主應該怎樣做？
僱主應諮詢您的外傭，及讓她/她們參與制定有關八號或以上颱風警告或黑色暴雨警告的工作或假期安排。*
颱風影響期間
假如天文台發出1或3號颱風警告，並宣布有機會在外傭放假當日轉掛8號風球，或當8號預警已發出，表示天氣情況會繼續惡化，僱主可考慮以下措施:
1 留在家中放假 或
2 取消該休息日，改為工作 或
3 繼續放假外出
1 留在家中放假
僱主可建議外傭為安全理由，不要外出，但照常休假，只是留在家中。同時，這也可避免後來若改掛8號風球時，外傭因冇車回家而要求在外留宿的可能。
若外傭同意放假但留在家中休息 , 僱主不得要求外傭在休息日工作，僱主若強迫外僱在休息日工作除，即屬違反<<僱傭條例>>的規定。(除非外傭自願在休息的工作)
2 取消該休息日，改為工作
如僱主和外傭同意，可以取消該休息日，改為工作。當然僱主應和外傭取得共識，僱主將會付該日工資，或另定休息日，代替原來指定的休息日。另， 僱主可考慮支付津貼予在颱風或暴雨下改為工作的外傭，以作鼓勵。
確保僱員在惡劣天氣下的工作安全，並為仍須工作的僱員提供足夠 的設施及裝備（例如安全帽及雨衣）。
3 繼續放假外出
若你選擇在有可能懸掛 8號風球的情況下讓外傭放假外出，應盡量在懸掛 8號風球前，讓她外出(公共交通服務仍正常運作)、體諒她可能因實際困難而未能準時回家，並作彈性處理。
僱主也應教導外傭，如遇到實際困難而令她未能按時回家，應盡快通知僱主。
暴雨影響期間
當黑色暴雨警告生效時，道路可能嚴重水浸和天氣情況惡劣。為外傭的安全著想，僱主應要求在家放假休息，直到黑色暴雨警告取消時，才外出放假。除非雙方事先已協定有關的工作安排。
*僱主可參考<颱風及暴雨警告下的工作守則>，以制定有關八號或以上颱風警告或黑色暴雨警告的工作安排及應變措施。詳情登入 以下網頁: http://www.labour.gov.hk/tc/public/pdf/wcp/Rainstorm.pdf
若僱主有其他疑問，可直接聯絡勞工處，查詢熱線：2717 1771（此熱線由「1823」接聽）或登入勞工處網頁：http://www.labour.gov.hk
幼 兒 照 顧 服 務 Child Care Services
社會福利署非致府機構提供多元化的幼兒照顧服務，以支援一些因工作或其他原因而暫時未能照顧子女的父母。這服務也可舒緩僱主因外傭辭職/ 新外傭未能及早到港，引致沒人照顧嬰幼兒的壓力：
http://www.swd.gov.hk/tc/index/site_pubsvc/page_family/sub_listofserv/id_childcares/
The Social Welfare Department in Hong Kong provides Child Care Services to assist parents who cannot take care of their children because of work or other reasons. This services can reduce the stress of employers if your existing helper resign/ new domestic helper cannot come early.
For detail, please click the link below and read:
http://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_family/sub_listofserv/id_childcares/
外傭申請中國旅遊簽證的手續 Requirements of Supporting Documents for Domestic Helpers Applying for Visas to China
常聽到僱主查詢："若想幫我的外傭申請去中國的旅遊簽證，應怎辦？”若這也是你的關注，可登入以下網頁(清楚說明提交申請時所需的文件):
http://www.ctshk.com/visa/chinaVisa.htm#
It is common for employers to ask, "How to help my domestic helper to apply for visa to China?" The link below states clearly the documents required when submit the application:
http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/eng/vtc/t1202489.htm
Child Care, First Aid & CPR Course
There is a 11 hour course is for domestic helpers who care for your babies and young children. The course covers Child Care, First Aid & CPR and is held in a real home so that all safety scenarios in your helper’s exercises are in realistic situations.
有一個11小時的課程，是為裝備你的菲傭照顧你的寶寶和幼兒而設。該課程涵蓋幼兒護理、急救和心肺復蘇術。
詳情請登入以下網頁For detail, please click:
http://thefamilyzone.hk/courses/helpers-child-care-first-aid-cpr/
FREE Cantonese Classes for Foreign Domestic Helpers 免費廣東話班
Good news to employer and foreign domestic helpers!!
An Organisation Cheer holds F
Good news to employer and foreign domestic helpers!!
An Organisation Cheer holds FREE Cantonese Classes for foreign domestic helpers. Any domestic helpers who can understand and speak English can register for the class. Register now!!
基督教機構Cheer舉辦免費廣東話班, 導師將會用英語教授廣東話。有興趣的僱主請盡快為你的家庭外籍女傭(不拘國籍,懂得聽英文便OK)報名。名額有限,先到先得!!
Any domestic helpers who can understand and speak English can register for the class. Register now!!
基督教機構Cheer舉辦免費廣東話班, 導師將會用英語教授廣東話。有興趣的僱主請盡快為你的家庭外籍女傭(不拘國籍,懂得聽英文便OK)報名。名額有限,先到先得!!
The importance of regular feedback
Filipinos come to Hong Kong because they need money, but they stay because they feel happy. If they don't feel happy they won't stay. Their job satisfaction is related to the feedback you give them. If you don't give them feedback they will assume that they are not doing a good job and that you don't like them. If you give them feedback even if it is partially corrective they will appreciate it because they know they are accepted and doing an ok job. If you give them some positive feedback they will go "off The Charts" happy and send me a message like the one you see below.
You can find some guidelines on how to do a performance review here: http://arrowes.hk/more/. At Arrow our goal is to help you find and KEEP a good helper.
Maid lead children to safety
http://www.atimes.com/article/maid-leads-children-safety-hong-kong-fire/
Does your helper know what to do in case of emergency? Do you have emergency protocols and numbers written down and easily accessible?
Maid lead children to safety
http://www.atimes.com/article/maid-leads-children-safety-hong-kong-fire/
Does your helper know what to do in case of emergency? Do you have emergency protocols and numbers written down and easily accessible?
處理學前孩子的進食問題
當孩子六個月開始,便可以開始進食固體食物。由這時到學前的兒童, 我不時會聽到家長們申訴, 他們的孩子有不同的進食問題。要安排孩子們完成一頓飯,好像打仗般, 困難重重, 令他們非常頭痛。
常見進食問題
學前兒童常見的飲食問題包括: 不肯乖乖坐下吃飯、偏食、拿食物玩耍、不肯自己吃飯、打翻食物、吃得很慢、發脾氣、一邊進食, 一邊玩玩具/手提電話/掌上電腦等等。
常見成因
1. 家長對孩子不同時期成長的特質認識不足, 以致對孩子有有不切實際的期望。
a.學前兒童專注時間比較短,容易分心。如果用餐時間長, 或他們覺得悶,便會想四處走動。加上這年紀的孩子對四周事物都會充滿好奇心, 他們喜歡觸碰不同的東西。很難要求他們長時間乖乖坐在一個地方。
b. 孩子和大人一樣,對食物有偏好。只要孩子有均衡飲食,肯吃不同類的食物, 家長不必強迫他們吃不喜歡的食物。
c.孩子和大人一樣, 不會每天的胃口都一樣好。可能今天孩子可以吃半碗飯, 明天只想吃三分一碗飯就覺飽。不需要強迫孩子必需食完你所給他的所有份量,恐怕這次會令進餐變成苦差。
2.家長沒有為孩子建立有規律的飲食習慣。
有些家長任由孩子們隨時想吃就吃。結果孩子吃過多零食,到吃正餐的時間就沒有胃口。要為這些孩子建立有規律的飲食習慣會更困難。也有些家長為了鼓勵孩子吃正餐時不四處走動, 而給與孩子玩具/電子產品一邊玩、一邊吃飯; 哄孩子吃飯或餵飯, 結果無意中給與孩子額外的注意力, 鼓勵了他們不吃飯這不恰當的行為。
如何預防/解決學前孩子的進食問題
1定時定點進餐
食物的份量應該以孩子能夠吃完為準, 而非家長心中希望他吃多少。告訴他如食物份量不夠,孩子可以主動要求加添。無論孩子能夠吃完食物與否,在下一餐前, 他將不可以進食任何零食/小吃。
2給孩子時間心理準備
要孩子立刻停止正玩得興高采烈的遊戲/活動時間去進食, 對他們而言,是一件很掃興的事。他們不合作、不服從的機會很高。我們可以預先給孩子心理準備,如: 「雯雯,玩多一次這遊戲, 就去洗手吃飯。」或者「妹妹,要吃晚餐了,你可以玩多三分鐘, 就去洗手吃飯。」這樣, 係指會較容易和我們合作。
3和孩子定立用餐的規矩
這可增加他們順利吃完一頓飯的機會和效率。例如:吃飯時不可以擅自離開座位、進餐時不可同時玩玩具/手提電話/電腦/任何電子產品(當然,大人們都要以身作則)、不應無故或浪費食物、自己餵自己吃飯。
4獎勵及懲罰
若想孩子服從規矩, 要定明遵守規則的奬勵。如: 孩子如果乖乖坐着吃飯, 飯後可享用一個小吃,或帶他到公園逛。稱讚孩子將鼓勵他們更樂意的遵守用餐規矩。
同時,也要讓孩子知道不守規矩的後果。
i. 溫馨提示
如果孩子犯了小問題, 例如:吃得慢, 可以提醒他, 用餐的時間是30分鐘/45分鐘,夠鐘就會收拾所有食物。在下一次用餐前, 不會給孩子任何食物和小吃。
ii. 刻意忽略
有些孩子喜歡做一些小動作, 以吸引父母或照顧者的注意力。另外,在外用餐時, 有時孩子因為對四周的環境好奇, 喜歡東張西望。這時, 我們可刻意忽略這些小搗蛋的行為。給孩子過多的注意力,有時反而會鼓勵他們不恰當的行為。
iii. 懲罰
所有孩子都應該至少培養服從規矩的好習慣。如果孩子不理會大人的溫馨提示, 仍繼續不當的行為, 或破壞規矩, 便要為自己的行為負責, 接受後果。假如孩子在進餐時,做了些嚴重不恰當的行為, 便要接受懲罰。
如: 發脾氣、打翻食物, 我們可以把孩子帶到一旁, 告訴他他犯了什麼用餐規矩, 與他將要受到什麼懲罰, 然後執行。懲罰的方法可以有很多,包括:處罰孩子自己坐在一角兩分鐘, 然後才可以一起繼續進餐;取消去公園玩 。假如孩子認錯,或說:「對不起」,我們便要接納、原諒他們。可以稱讚他們:「知錯能改, 是好孩子。」
小結
以上的教導實際可行, 不用打罵孩子, 大家也可以改善學前孩子的進餐問題。假若父母或照顧者說一套、做一套, 或家中不同的照顧者沒有一致地堅決執行所定立的規矩, 只會變相鼓勵孩子不守規矩, 令他們進餐的問題變得更嚴重。願這分享能幫助所有家長或照顧者, 有效、輕鬆地處理學前孩子的進餐問題。
How to handle Preschool Children's Eating Problems ~By Kathy Lai King Lam
When a child reaches six months old, she/he can start to eat solid food. It is common to hear parents of preschool age children (3 years old & under) to complain that their children have different kinds of eating problems.
Common Eating Problems
Preschool children common eating problems include: difficulty sitting still and eating quietly until finishing a meal, dropping food on the floor, picky eater, playing with the food, refusing to eat on their own, eating very slow, temper tantrums, playing with toys, mobile phones etc while eating.
Common Reasons
Parents/Caregivers have little knowledge about the characteristics of children at different ages, so that they may have unrealistic expectations on them:
Preschool children’s attention span time is relatively short(usually less than 10 minutes), easy to be distracted. If the meal time is long, they feel bored and want to walk around. Also , preschool children of this age will be full of curiosity and like to explore different things by touching. It is difficult to make them sit still for a long time.
Preschool children have food preferences, like adults. As long as a child has a balanced diet, willing to eat different types of food, parents/caregivers should not force them to eat the food they dislike.
Normal preschool children’ s appetite may not be the same everyday. Maybe today a child can eat half a bowl of rice, tomorrow he/she wants to eat one third bowl of rice only and feels full. No need to force a child to eat all the amount of food you provide as this may make the child feel that eating is unpleasant experience.
Parents do not set up regular eating habit for their children.
Some parents let the children eat whenever they want. This results in the children eating more snacks, and then they have no appetite to eat at dinner time. It is difficult for this kind of family to set up regular eating habits for their kids. Some parents/caregivers give the children toys or electronic products to play while eating, in the hope that the children will not walk around when eating. Some want the children to eat faster, so they feed the children to speed things up even though the child is capable of feeding themselves. These result in giving the children extra attentio and reinforce inappropriate eating behaviors.
How to prevent /solve eating problems of preschool children
Prepare the children for the meal time.
If the children enjoy playing games and activities, they will feel very disappointed if they need to stop playing immediately. The chance that they do not cooperate is high. To minimize both the parents/caregivers and the children’s frustration, we can prepare the child by saying, "Jason, play this game for one more time, then go, wash hands and eat." Or " Maria, you can play three more minutes, then go to wash hands and have dinner." This helps the children to cooperate with us better.
Let the children eat the amount they can eat.
The amount of the food for the preschool children should be based on how much they can eat, NOT how much the parents/caregiver wants them to eat. Tell the children that if the food is not enough, they can take the initiative to ask for more. No matter the children can finish eating all the food or not, they should know clearly that they will not be given any snacks before next meal.
Set rules for the children during meal time
Clear rules will increase the chance of having a smooth mealtime. Here are some good rules to consider:Don't leave your seat when eating,
No playing with toys/ mobile phone/ tablet/ any electronic products while eating.(Because it will only distract the children, extend their eating time. of course, adults have to set a good model ourselves),
Don't play with food,
Don't waste food (???)
Feed yourself
Tips
Use a timer. If a child has a minor problem, for example: eating too slowly, we can set a count down timer and remind him/her that the meal time will end when the timer gets to zero. He/she should finish the food within the time limit. Before the next meal, we will not give the child any food and snacks.
Deliberately ignore some behavior: Some children like to do little tricks to attract the attention of parents/caregivers. Some children feel curious of their surroundings when eating outside and want to look around. In these cases the best thing to do is to deliberately ignore the behavior. Sometimes giving a child too much attention will encourage them to do more improper behavior.
Reward and Consequences
Rewards help the children to follow the rules and eat better. For example, if the
children sit and eat properly, they can enjoy a snack after dinner, or let the children enjoy 10 minutes more play time in the park. Also, praise the children for the good behaviour as it will encourage them to be more willing to comply with the meal rules. Also let the children know the consequences of non-compliance.
Punishment or Consequences: help children cultivate good habits and learn to obey the rules. If a child ignores the warning of adults, continues to do improper behavior, or breaks the rules, then they need to experience some negative consequences so that they will learn to take responsibility for their own actions.
For example, if a child has tantrums or throws food on the floor, we can bring the child to a corner, tell him that he violated a meal rule and will be subject to a consequence. There are many ways to punish a child including: make a child sit in the corner for two minutes before they can continue to eat together; cancel play time in the park, etc. If the child admits the misbehaviour, or says "sorry", we should accept and forgive them. We can praise them, "I appreciate that you admit and are willing to correct from your mistake, you are a good boy."
Summary
Meal times for small children do not need to become a "contest of wills" and misbehavior does not need to be resolved by physical punishment or shouting. If you follow these practical steps of relaxing your expectations about what and how much a child needs to eat, setting some basic rules along with rewards and consequences then meal time can be an enjoyable experience. The stress level at home will go down and life will improve for the children, the parents and the caregivers.
Kathy Lam is the Client Relationship Manager or Arrow Employment Services, registered nurse, Family Life Coach of I Care Family, a mother of 3 girls.
Young artist decorates her employer's home
I'm so impressed with this young artist and her employer who recognized and put her gift to good use. https://coconuts.co/manila/lifestyle/filipina-domestic-helper-hk-creates-art-employers-home/
Helper arrested for stealing her employer's clothing.
I'm guessing she wasn't taking them to the dry cleaners.
https://coconuts.co/hongkong/news/domestic-helper-arrested-hkd30000-stolen-womens-clothing/
認知障礙的小冊子 "Caring for Elderly with Dementia-Guide to Foreign Domestic Helper"
葵涌醫院印製了一千本支援家中有老人家患認知障礙的小冊子: 《照顧者手冊》， 教外傭照顧認知障礙症患者。
手冊內的每 一個章節，都是由包括精神科醫生、護士、職業治療師、物理治療師和心理學家等 專業人士編寫。手冊以英語、中文及印尼文三種語言撰寫，英文及印尼文為菲律賓 和印尼外傭的主要語言，而中文版本則方便僱主及其他本地照顧者閱讀。手冊裡所 分享的意見和提議均可讓照顧者了解如何能有效地幫助、處理及照顧有獨特行為問 題的長者，也備有各種解壓方法，以舒緩照顧者的常見壓力。
本市民可致電熱線 2959 8523 免費索取；同時亦可透過葵涌醫院老齡精神科網站下載：
中文版
https://www.ha.org.hk/kch/chi/departments/cs/PG/Elderly_Guide_CHI_0623_2016_Final.pdf
印尼語版
https://www.ha.org.hk/kch/chi/departments/cs/PG/Elderly_Guide_IND_0623_2016_Final.pdf
Kwai Chung Hospital has printed a booklet entitled "Caregiver Handbook" for families with elderly people who are at home. They teach outsiders to take care of patients with cognitive impairment.
Every chapter in the manual is written by professionals, including psychiatrists, nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and psychologists. The brochure is written in English, Chinese and Indonesian. The English and Indonesian languages are the main languages of Filipino and Indonesian foreigners, while the Chinese version facilitates the reading of employers and other local caregivers. The views and proposals in the manual will give the caregiver an understanding of how to effectively help, handle and care for elderly people with unique behavioral problems, as well as a variety of decompression methods to relieve the common pressure of caregivers.
Members of the public can call the hotline 2959 8523 for free at the same time. They can also be downloaded from the psychiatric website of Kwai Chung Hospital:
Caring for Elderly with Dementia Guide to Foreign Domestic Helper
英文版
https://www.ha.org.hk/kch/chi/departments/cs/PG/Elderly_Guide_ENG_0623_2016_Final.pdf
The Biggest Mistake Employers Make in Managing Domestic Helpers
Is there one thing you can do to improve your chances of keeping a good helper? We've helped thousands of families find helpers; counselled and coached hundreds of helpers, taught orientation classes for employers, follow up classes for helpers AND over the years we've managed to learn a few things about what works and what hurts the relationship between helpers and employers. What's the biggest mistake employers make and what SHOULD you do to develop and keep a good helper? I hate articles where I have to scroll down and down to get to the meat of what they are saying so here it is:
The single BIGGEST mistake in managing domestic helpers is NOT accepting that fact that you are now a MANAGER and NEED to follow well accepted, proven management practices.
Instead of behaving like a professional manager would in a normal workplace, employers of domestic helpers treat their helpers in ways that they themselves would NOT accept and would NEVER do in a professional setting. They get involved in their personal lives, invade their privacy, try to be friends, micro-manage or ignore them, assume their just arrived worker knows what to do rather than provide training, then berate and criticize them for under performance. They don't provide a job description, training, performance reviews, rewards for good performance, etc. In short they DO NOT MANAGE their work in a professional manner.
The single BIGGEST thing you can do to IMPROVE your relationship with your helper is to treat her as a professional employee and accept your role as a professional manager.
If you've never managed another worker then begin by doing some reading about basic management best practices and follow those practices. Write a job description. Schedule performance reviews and learning opportunities. Give bonuses or incentives for work well done. READ about how to better manage others and GROW in your management skills.
Here's a good article to get you started: The 7 Deadly Sins of Manager/Employee Communication (and how to avoid them)
Because the workplace is the home and not an office we think we don't need to practice good management, but the opposite is true: BECAUSE the workplace is our HOME and we are constantly together, we need to follow good management practices and learn to manage people effectively.
Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment.
請教菲傭在農曆新年的 宜忌
如果你是中國人，請記得在農曆新年前，教導你的菲傭關於農曆新年的宜忌(Dos & Don'ts)，讓她可更貼心地在農曆新年服待你與你的家人、親友。
宜
1每天保持微笑的臉 Keep a smiling face from day to night
2無論遇見何人，包括僱主一家人，或其親友，都應立即十指緊扣，說祝福的話。Clasp your hands, greet everyone you see, no matter baby or elder with blessing words
例如：
a教她說-"Sun Nin Fai Lok"-(廣東話) / "Xin Nian Kuai Le"-(普通話)(意：新年快樂)
-"Gung Hay Fat Choy"-(廣東話) / "Gong Xi Fa Cai"-(普通話)(意：恭喜發財)
-教她應預備甚麼招待客人。如：說"Ching Yam Cha"-(廣東話) (意：請飲茶) 或
"Xing Ke Cha"-(普通話) (意：請喝茶)
b拿全盒請客人吃糖果。serve snack box,
3教她煮新年的餸菜，招呼客人。teach them what kind of Chinese food to cook to serve your guests .
4穿紅色/色彩鮮豔的衣服 wear Red/ colourful clothes
5當你帶她到親友家前，告訴她你期望她做什麼？例如：照顧嬰兒/蹣跚學步/朋友的孩子，或在廚房幫手準備食物和整理？ e.g. take care of baby/toddler/ friend's kid , or help in the kitchen? prepare food and tidy up?
6每當任何人給她利是，她必須用兩隻手接住，然後十指緊扣，說“謝謝” "Dor Che"(廣東話) 或“ “Xièxiè”(普通話) , “恭喜發財” - “Gung Hay Fat Choy"-(廣東話) / "Gong Xi Fa Cai"- (普通話) （但不可以在對方面前打開它，這是不禮貌的）。
忌
1穿黑色上衣，wear black upper clothes
2早上洗澡、洗頭髮，take shower/ wash hair in the morning
3打破或掉落任何東西，例如任何菜，眼鏡，食物 break anything
4哭泣 cry
5 掃地 / 抹地 sweep or mop the floor
當然，每個家庭的文化都是獨特的。請在農曆新年前教妳的菲傭關於你家在過年時的規矩、宜忌等，讓大家可以過一個快樂的新年！
Teach Your Helpers About The Dos and Don'ts In The Lunar Chinese New Year
If you are Chinese, please remember to teach your helpers about the Dos and Don'ts in the Lunar Chinese New Year before it will come.
DOs
1 Keep a smiling face from day to night
2 Clasp your hands, greet every one you see, no matter baby or elder with blessing words, e.g.
-"Sun Nin Fai Lok"-Cantonese / "Xin Nian Kuai Le"-Mandarin(Happy New Year)
-"Gung Hay Fat Choy"-Cantonese / "Gong Xi Fa Cai"- Mandarin(Hope you are wealthy)
-inform your helper what to prepare to serve guests.
e.g. a. serve tea/soft drinks, say,"Ching Yam Cha"-Cantonese or "Xing Ke Cha"-Mandarin (please drink tea.
b. serve snack box,
3 teach them what to cook to serve your guests before any guest come.
4 wear Red/ colourful clothes
5 When you will bring her to other people's home, what do you expect her to do? e.g. take care of baby/toddler/ friend's kid , or help in the kitchen? prepare food and tidy up?
6 Whenever any person give her a red pocket, she must receive it with two hands, then clasp the hands and say "thank you" or "Dor Che"-Cantonese / "Xièxiè"-Mandarin or or "Gung Hay Fat Choy"-Cantonese / "Gong Xi Fa Cai"- Mandarin. (But never open it in front of people, it is impolite)
DON'Ts
1 wear black upper clothes,
2 wash hair, take shower in the morning
3 break or drop anything, e.g. any dishes, glasses, food
4 cry
5 sweep or mop the floor
Of course, every family's culture is different and unique. Please teach her the special culture and rule in your family during the Lunar Chinese New Year. Happy New Year!
Labour Law Revision: Statutory holidays 重温勞工法例：法定假日
~Helpers who are working less than three months are also entitled to statutory holiday (without pay). If the helper have been employed continuously for three months, she is entitled to have the holiday with pay.
~Employer may require helper(s) to work on a statutory holiday. However, the employer must:
give notice to helpers for not less than 48 hours in advance ;
- within 60 days before or after the holiday, arrange an alternative holiday for the helpers.
~Helpers who are working less than three months are also entitled to statutory holiday (without pay). If the helper have been employed continuously for three months, she is entitled to have the holiday with pay.
~Employer may require helper(s) to work on a statutory holiday. However, the employer must:
give notice to helpers for not less than 48 hours in advance ;
- within 60 days before or after the holiday, arrange an alternative holiday for the helpers.
Q: If the statutory holiday falls on a rest day, e.g. 1/1/2017, must employers give helpers another holiday?
A: Yes. Employer shall give a compensatory leave to the helper if the statutory holiday falls on a rest day, the next day which is not a statutory holiday or rest day.
Q: If helper(s) agree, can employers give an additional statutory holiday pay in lieu of granting him / her a replacement of an alternative holiday?
A: NO. An employer who violates the above requirements may be prosecuted. Upon conviction, the employer is liable to a fine of HK $ 50,000.
重温勞工法例：法定假日
傭工若工作未滿三個月，也可享有法定假日(沒有薪酬)。傭工如在法定假日之前已獲僱主連續僱用滿三個月，便可享有該假日的假日薪酬。
僱主可以要求傭工在法定假日工。不過，僱主必須:
預先給予傭工不少於48小時的通知；以及在原定假日之前或之後60天內、安排另定假日給傭工。
若傭工同意, 僱主可否以額外補薪代替發放法定假日給他/她?
不可以。僱主如違反上述規定，可被檢控。一經定罪,可被罰款港幣5萬元。
如果法定假日適逢傭工的休息日, 僱主是否必須給予傭工另外補假?
是。僱主須在休息日翌日補假給傭工,該翌日須並非法定假日或休息日。
What to do when your helper resigns?
What should you do when your helper says "Sir Ma'am, I want to resign"? Perhaps your helper has only been here for 3 months - your first reaction might be "yau mou gaau cho????" You spent almost $10,000 to bring her to Hong Kong and now she wants to quit! Aiyah! What should you do?
Stay Calm
If your helper leaves it will be a big financial loss for you, BUT getting angry or upset will not help; it will instead make matters worse. Often "I want to resign" does NOT mean "I want to resign". Sometimes it means:
- I feel like you don't like me, because every time you talk to me you criticize my work
- I don't think I will ever be able to make you happy, so I am going to give up.
- I feel homesick, but it really hard for me to talk to my kids because I don't get to use my phone until after they have already gone to bed
- I feel hungry
- I'm not getting enough sleep
Sometimes "I want to resign" means "I want to resign" but NOT always. Helpers will rarely tell you the truth about what is going on in their heart, because they live with you, respect you and do not want to hurt your feelings. So they will almost always say "I'm having a family problem." Sometimes it IS a family problem, but 3 out 4 times it means they are UNHAPPY. AND they will NOT tell YOU the real reason, so....
Call the Agency 2151-1125 and let us help
As far as I know Arrow is the only agency in Hong Kong with a full time customer care officer. We have staff solely dedicated to helping employers and employees resolve issues so that helpers will finish their contracts. Explain your situation to us and let us try to help. Ask your helper if she would please go and talk to Ma'am Kathy Lam or Sir Allan at Arrow on her day off and make an appointment for her. Your helper will tell us what is going on from her perspective and we will work with you to try to save this working relationship. Interpersonal conflicts are influenced by culture, personality and communication styles. Hong Kong people often say and do things that unknowingly offend their helpers, and the helpers do the same.
Keep an Open Mind
Perception IS Reality. You may have the heart of a kitten, but if your helper thinks you are a TIGER then that is her reality.
When you call us, try to keep an open mind. You may not like what we tell you. Remember "Perception is Reality". If your helper perceives you to be "fierce" that is reality for her. You may have the heart of a kitten, but if she thinks you are a tiger she will be afraid and act accordingly. It is not a matter of "right or wrong" but of perception". It is a misunderstanding and needs to be cleared up.
Be willing to have a 3 way meeting
If necessary make an appointment to sit down with your helper and an Arrow representative to see what changes or adjustments can be made by both parties to save this working relationship. Arrow will provide someone to translate so that both you and your helper can speak in your mother tongues. We will give both parties a chance to share what is going on from their perspectives without interruption and then give the other person a chance to response and clarify (without interruption). Once both parties have looked at things from the other's perspective, we work with you to figure out what to do next. Resolving misunderstandings requires humility and the willingness to see things from another's point of view.
Our goal is to help you FIND AND KEEP A GOOD HELPER. Finding a helper is the easy part. Keeping a good helper requires humility, flexibility and sensitivity. We will work with your helper to help her adjust to life and work in HK, so that she can KEEP a good job; AND we will also help you discover what adjustments you need to make to KEEP a good helper. So when you hear the words "Ma'am, Sir I want to resign" don't panic; instead give us a call: 2151-1125.