Employer Preparation for Foreign Domestic Helper Interviews

Hiring a foreign domestic helper involves meeting certain government requirements, such as income or asset criteria, and comply with the terms of the standard employment contract specifically designed to protect the helper's rights. Therefore, employers must prepare relevant documents to meet these requirements before hiring. In addition to the stated regulations, employers should consider their specific needs and requirements, which can be used during the interview to evaluate if the helper is the right fit. This article shares a checklist for employers preparing for a domestic helper interview.

Checklist for Employers Before a Domestic Helper Interview

1.      Define the Job Scope for the Helper

The main tasks typically fall into categories such as household chores, childcare, and elderly care. Employers should decide on the helper's responsibilities based on their own needs, rather than relying solely on the resume provided by the agency or the helper. Even if the helper has extensive experience in one area, if it's not aligned with your needs, it could lead to a mismatch. Focus on relevant experience, not just overall years of service.

2.      Age/Physical Requirements

If the helper is needed for tasks like taking care of a baby during the night, helping an elderly person get in and out of bed, or pushing a wheelchair, age and physical strength may be important factors to consider.

3.      Education Level and Language Skills

As mentioned in previous articles about choosing between Filipino and Indonesian helpers, these two groups often differ in education and language abilities. For instance, if your elderly family member doesn’t speak English, it’s better to hire a helper who already knows Cantonese or is willing to learn. Employers can assess the helper's language skills during the interview.

4.      Family Background

Asking about the helper's family situation can provide insight. For example, if the helper has children, they may have relevant childcare experience and be less likely to switch jobs frequently ("job-hopping").

5.      Prepare Interview Questions

In addition to asking the helper to introduce themselves, employers should prepare questions related to the tasks at hand, such as experience with infant feeding, handling children's tantrums, caring for sick elderly people, cooking style, and expectations for work hours and days off. Giving the helper more freedom to answer allows you to gauge their personality and attitude.

6.      Share Your Requirements and Background with the Helper

It’s a two-way process: just as you are choosing the helper, they are also choosing their employer. Be transparent about your needs and lifestyle, such as how many children they’ll be looking after, whether they’ll need to take them to school, any special care required for elderly family members, the presence of pets, and if the household is usually occupied. If the helper asks questions, answer them honestly.

7.      Review the Helper’s Resume and References Beforehand

Look over the helper’s work history and references to understand their experience and performance. If they clearly don’t meet your needs, don’t waste time on an interview. During the interview, ask questions that verify their past experience.

Conclusion

An interview is not one-sided, especially in Hong Kong, where there is a shortage of foreign domestic helpers. Helpers often have more power in choosing their employer, just as you would when choosing a job. Additionally, if you hire a helper, remember to purchase insurance for them. Not doing so is illegal and could leave you responsible for their medical costs. Beyond basic "labor insurance," comprehensive domestic helper insurance offers broader coverage. This can include not only hospitalization and surgical costs, repatriation, personal accidents, and public liability but also clinical/medical services, dental fees, fidelity protection, re-hiring expenses, hospital cash allowances, and loan repayment protection. Each insurance company’s plan will vary, so employers should choose based on their needs. For older helpers, for instance, a plan with higher hospitalization and surgery coverage might be more suitable.

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The information provided in this article is for general reference only and should not be considered as any form of advice. Our company assumes no responsibility for its use