by Enrich HK Did you know that in the Philippines, Christmas season begins in September? Houses are lovingly decorated, trees are put up, and parol (Christmas stars) are secured in place. It’s definitely a special time of year for the family. But Christmas will be very different this year. Most domestic workers reading this will be unable to travel home during this pandemic due to lockdowns, travel restrictions or greater expenses. It’s ...
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By PathFinders (Click here if you have not read phase 1.) In Phase 2 of your planning when experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, you will need to be looking ahead into the future. As a reminder, put things down in the format that works for you. It is important for you to be able to physically check where you are in the planning, to tick/cross what you’ve done, to see what you need/have to ...
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By PathFinders Some things in our lives happen unexpectedly and catch us off guard. This may either bring us happiness; or it may be so challenging that we hit a breaking point. If you are experiencing the latter, you are definitely not the only one! There is a famous Japanese proverb “fall seven times, stand up eight”. The message is simple yet powerful. When life knocks you down many times, all you ...
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When employing a domestic helper, the first thing that comes to mind is how to create a healthy relationship by clearly defining house rules such as setting up a work schedule. But after a few weeks or months, you might realize that respecting each other’s personal privacy is also a key factor to a harmonious home. There are over 370,000 foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong living with their employers. The majority ...
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By PathFinders When you are in a relationship, it’s important to have open and honest conversations about relationship issues with your partner - including sex. Both of you need to make decisions about sexual intimacy together. Even though it may be awkward or embarrassing to speak about it at first, it’s actually one of the best ways to maintain a happy and healthy relationship. Partners need to continually talk about each other’s ...
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Entrusting someone with the care of our children is in itself a pretty big leap of faith. Part of the job of being a parent is to make sure that our little ones are safe and always well taken care of. No matter how much we trust our domestic helpers, it is natural to worry – especially when we are away most of the day – and wonder whether our ...
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Article provided by PathFinders It’s February - commonly known as the month of love and romance. Whether you are in a relationship, or seeking one, do you know what a healthy relationship looks like? Being showered with attention and affection by someone you just met is both flattering and exciting. But have you really taken the time to get to know him before taking the relationship to the next level? Online dating ...
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Your domestic helper has been with you for a while and you may wonder if you should increase her salary or give her a bonus. What do other employers do? There is no golden rule or a standard practice when it comes to giving your domestic helper a bonus or increasing her wage. But don’t pull your hair out yet, we went out and asked what others do. When should I give ...
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Despite progress, including greater awareness of the rights of domestic helpers, maids are sometimes poorly treated in Singapore and other parts of Asia. Since this worker group remains vulnerable to exploitation, the government of Singapore says it imposes severe penalties on those who abuse foreign maids. Employers should be aware of helpers’ rights, and discuss these during on-the-job orientation and training, and ensure that expected duties remain legal and ethical. Unfortunately, ...
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Establishing a positive and good relationship with your domestic helper through communication is important. Not only because it makes your life as an employer easier and because it can help prevent issues such as loans, but also because tensions in the household can have an adverse effect on your children and other family members. Stepping in their shoes Foreign domestic workers come to Hong Kong for employment in order to provide for ...
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