What to consider before hiring a domestic helper

The last six months have been something of a gamechanger in Hong Kong. Borders have reopened, all social distancing restrictions have been dropped and life in our city is finally returning to normality. One of the great difficulties posed by the pandemic was that it was very difficult to hire domestic helpers during that challenging time. However, with the worst effects of the pandemic now behind us, many families and professionals in Hong Kong are once again looking to hire someone to help around the home.

If you are considering hiring a domestic helper, it makes sense for you to have a comprehensive plan of action to ensure a smooth transition into your family environment. Here, we have listed out some of the factors you should consider before you employ someone.  

Whenever you plan to hire a domestic helper, the most critical thing is that they get on well with your family. This is especially important if they will be required to look after young children or elderly relatives with specific needs, such as taking them to regular medical appointments.

Once you find someone who looks qualified, arrange an interview with the domestic helper to meet with your family membersIf they get along well from the very beginning, it is a sure sign that the new domestic helper will fit in well, giving you peace of mind for the contract period ahead.

Some families have special circumstances of which the new helper will need to be aware, such as a relative with a long-term illness or even something as simple as having pets requiring care and attention. In this situation, you should be open from the beginning about any special duties that are required, such as administering medicine or walking the dogs twice a day. 

Unfortunately during the course of her duties, the domestic helper might become unwell or could injure herself while out walking your four-legged friends. If this happens, it pays to have taken out the comprehensive domestic helper insurance plan. That way, she can visit doctor’s clinic and you can submit a claim for the clinical fee with the receipt. Some domestic helper insurance plans even include dental coverage.

Once you have found the right person, who is both a good fit with your family and who understands everything required, you should protect both her and yourself with an appropriate insurance plan.

At MSIG, our HelperSurance 4.0 provides coverage for clinical, surgical and hospitalisation, and dental expenses if a domestic helper falls ill,  or encounter an accident during her day off. At the same time, it provides employees’ compensation cover to protect your liability as an employer, and provides financial support in the event of service interruption due to illness or accident.

To find out more about HelperSurance 4.0, please click here or feel free to contact us  .

Read more:

Helper Insurance Helps Employers Make the Right Hire, Worry-Free

Give a Helping Hand to Your Domestic Helper

Flexibility in changing person covered under Comprehensive Helper Insurance

Learn more about EASY Claims and file your claims online anytime, anywhere.

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