Common Issues for Helpers

  • Talk, talk, talk! Your adjustment to HK will go more smoothly and your level of happiness will increase if you learn to communicate Hong Kong style.

    What is HK ‘s Communication Style?

    Direct

    If we don't like something, we will tell you straight away.

    Honest

    We expect you to give us the raw facts, not paint a picture to make yourself look good.

    Angry/Shocked/Surprise

    HK people are dramatic in their speech - high tones, short expressions of anger, frustration, surprise are common.

    Respectful

    Your employer is allowed to speak in an angry, surprised shocked tone to you, BUT you must not respond in the same tone. In HK we always speak in a respectful tone to authority figures including our teachers, our leaders, and our employers.

    HOW TO HANDLE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK

    Invite feedback

    In the first 2 weeks ask your employer to check your work "Ma'am, is this what you had in mind? Is this OK? Would you taste this? inspect this? If you ASK, your employer will know they have hired a confident competent helper. And, you won't feel so bad if it is "negative" because you asked for it.

    Change your belief about feedback

    It’s not negative or positive, it’s just feedback. When the red light on the car dashboard says you are running out of fuel, that’s not negative or positive, it’s just feedback. Getting upset at the light won’t help you get to the next destination. You need to buy gas. In the same way, feedback from your employer is telling you how to please them, how to keep your job, how to earn pay raises, etc.

    Stop thinking about feedback as a reflection on you as a person. It is NOT personal. It's not about you, it's about doing things the way your employer wants you to do them. Embrace feedback, adjust your performance and win!!

    Respond to feedback appropriately

    When your employer gives you feedback just listen carefully. In most cases just say "Sorry ma'am, Sir". If they are teaching you something new that you didn't know before say "Thank you! I appreciate you teaching me this."

    Do not make excuses or try to explain even if they ask "Why did you do that?" In most cases they don't really want to know.

  • "Six days shall you work, but on the 7th day - Rest!" Genesis 1

    You work hard, you deserve a day off every week. Under HK law your employer must give you one day off a week, BUT the employer has the right to choose which day they will give you. Employers whose days off always change (police, nurses, flight attendants, etc) won't often be able to give a weekend off.

    By law the day off is 24 hours, but since most helpers live with their employers they usually return home between 8-10 p.m. so as not to disturb the family when they come in.

    Your family and friends in Hong Kong may put pressure on you to take a certain day off or stay out late on your day off. If you have agreed with your employer to be back by a certain time on your day off, then you need to follow your agreement. If you want to change that agreement, talk to your employer about it during the week, BUT do not unilaterally decide to stay out later than agreed, UNLESS of course you want to get fired and go back home to the Philippines

    Do not agree with your employer to regularly work on your day off in exchange for money. First - it is illegal. You may work on a day off occasionally but it is illegal to do this regularly. Secondly, with no day off you will burn out in 6 months. Helpers who give up their day off almost NEVER last more than 6 months.

    If you are not getting a day off, talk to us and we’ll help you resolve the issue.

  • FOOD: "You can't eat shy!"

    Helpers often complain about being hungry. They are expecting their employers to "tell them to eat" Kain ka tayo!" It's not going to happen. Hong Kong people are busy and assume that if you are hungry, you will eat. You NEED to ASK "Sir/Madam, when should I have my meals?" Employers will usually ask you what you like to eat and it is important that you answer truthfully. If you love rice, say so or you may end up eating Ramen Noodles for 2 years. If you feel like you are not getting enough calories, say so.

    REST:

    Average adults need 7-8 hours of sleep a night. So do you. If you don't get enough sleep then you will NOT finish your contract. If you are not getting enough food or rest, please talk to your employer about this problem.

    The best approach is to say "Ma'am / Sir, I want to finish my contract and take good care of your child, but I'm facing a problem and I need your help." "I'm not getting enough food/rest at night and I can tell my performance and mental sharpness is being effected. What can I do?" Allow them to fix the problem.