Hiring Considerations

Things to Consider When Hiring a Foreign Domestic Helper - Avoid Hiring Those with a History of Terminating Contracts Early

We do not recommend hiring foreign domestic helpers who have a history of terminating their contracts early. One of the reasons is that many foreign domestic helpers and agencies collude to job hop and switch employers in a short period of time in order to gain commission. This is especially serious during the pandemic when there is a shortage of foreign domestic helpers. In Hong Kong, the standard contract period for domestic helpers is two years.

Therefore, when hiring a domestic helper, employers should request the candidate's CV and verify that they have at least two years of work experience in Hong Kong for each previous job. This information is important as it can help determine whether the candidate has a history of terminating their contract early. It's worth noting that helpers or their agencies may falsify their work experience, so employers can also try to contact their previous employers to gain a better understanding. Another method is for employers to request to see the helper's passport to check their visa stamps, and confirm that the dates between each work visa period in Hong Kong are approximately two years apart.

During the interview process, it is important to ask the candidate for the reason why their previous contract was terminated. While many candidates may attribute the termination to their previous employer, this may not always be the case. Therefore, it is recommended to also conduct a background check by searching the Blacklist of Foreign Domestic Helper to see if any previous employers have posted complaints about the candidate. This can help provide a more complete understanding of the candidate's work history and avoid hiring a domestic helper with a potentially problematic background.