{"id":12219,"date":"2020-11-09T10:11:28","date_gmt":"2020-11-09T02:11:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper\/duties-and-responsibilities\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T22:26:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T14:26:57","slug":"duties-and-responsibilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/duties-and-responsibilities\/","title":{"rendered":"Domestic Helper Duties and Responsibilities: A Clear Guide for Employers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>Updated 03 February 2026<\/em><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/duties-and-responsibilities\/#Duties_for_Domestic_Helper_in_Hong_Kong\" >Duties for Domestic Helper in Hong Kong<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/duties-and-responsibilities\/#Window_Cleaning\" >Window Cleaning<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/duties-and-responsibilities\/#Driving_duties\" >Driving duties<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/duties-and-responsibilities\/#When_should_I_start_working_for_my_employer\" >When should I start working for my employer?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/duties-and-responsibilities\/#Illegal_Duties\" >Illegal Duties<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/duties-and-responsibilities\/#Working_for_another_person_and_in_another_place\" >Working for another person and in another place<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/duties-and-responsibilities\/#Non-domestic_duties\" >Non-domestic duties<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/duties-and-responsibilities\/#What_should_you_do_if_your_employer_asks_you_to_perform_unrelated_duties\" >What should you do if your employer asks you to perform unrelated duties?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/duties-and-responsibilities\/#You_might_always_be_interested_in\" >You might always be interested in:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>(If you want to know what duties and responsibilities a domestic helper has in <strong>Singapore<\/strong>, please click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/maid\/job-duties\">here<\/a> instead!)<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Duties_for_Domestic_Helper_in_Hong_Kong\"><\/span>Duties for Domestic Helper in Hong Kong<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper\/employment-contract-regulations\">Standard Employment Contract (SEC)<\/a> states that the\u00a0<strong>foreign domestic worker has to work and live in the employer\u2019s residence as specified in the contract and can only perform domestic duties for the employer<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Common domestic duties include the following tasks:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Preparing meals<\/li>\n<li>Washing dishes<\/li>\n<li>Shopping for groceries and supplies<\/li>\n<li>Vacuuming \/ mopping \/ sweeping the floor<\/li>\n<li>Dusting and wiping shelves and other furniture<\/li>\n<li>Cleaning the toilet \/ rooms \/ windows<\/li>\n<li>Doing the laundry and ironing<\/li>\n<li>Making beds<\/li>\n<li>Watering plants<\/li>\n<li>Washing car<\/li>\n<li>Babysitting<\/li>\n<li>Elderly-caring<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Giving body massage to your employer is normally not counted as a domestic duty. <\/strong>Hence, you are not obliged to provide such services. Yet, your employer may require you to give massages if they need you to <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.helperchoice.com\/5-domestic-helper-skills-elderly\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">take care of an elderly<\/a> or a physically impaired family member. It is important for you to discuss these terms before signing the employment contract.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Window_Cleaning\"><\/span>Window Cleaning<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Due to several fatal accidents that occurred, the Hong Kong government set rules as to when a domestic helper should perform window-cleaning duties. The helper has the right to refuse to clean the window if the following conditions are not met:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>the window being cleaned is fitted with a grille which is locked or secured in a manner that prevents the grille from being opened; and<\/li>\n<li>no part of the helper&#8217;s body extends beyond the window ledge except the arms.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>If the window is located on the ground level or adjacent to a balcony (on which it must be reasonably safe for the helper to work) or common corridor, then the above rules can be ignored.<\/p>\n<p>See more: <em><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.helperchoice.com\/domestic-helper-work-safety\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Main Concerns of Your Domestic Helper\u2019s Work Safety<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Driving_duties\"><\/span>Driving duties<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The household duties specified in the standard employment contract does not include driving duties.<\/p>\n<p>If you were employed to perform driving duties, <strong>your employer has to make a special application to the Immigration Department<\/strong> to allow you to drive in Hong Kong. Your employer will have to fill out the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.immd.gov.hk\/eng\/forms\/forms\/id934a.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ID934 form.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You may be responsible for criminal prosecution if you have breached the law. You may be deported back to your home country and may not be allowed to work in Hong Kong anymore.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_should_I_start_working_for_my_employer\"><\/span>When should I start working for my employer?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>According to <strong>Clause 2 of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper\/employment-contract-regulations\">Standard Employment Contract<\/a><\/strong> for foreign domestic workers, <strong>the employment shall be regarded as starting from:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>The date when the worker arrives in Hong Kong ;<\/li>\n<li>The day immediately following the expiry of a previous contract with the same employer (in case of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper\/contract-renewal\">contract renewal<\/a>); OR<\/li>\n<li>The date on which the Director of the Immigration grants the worker permission to remain in Hong Kong (in case of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper\/types-of-contract\">change of employment<\/a> in Hong Kong).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>A domestic worker is not permitted to work for the employer before her work visa is issued by the Immigration Department.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Once the contract has started, the domestic worker\u2019s entitlement to wages starts to count even if she was not asked by the employer to start working. This means the <strong>first wage period beings at the start date of the contract.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/c4ce062e-27af-425a-8020-f1b99d4a34cf-cleaningmirror.jpg\" alt=\"Domestic Helper's Duties and Responsibilities\" \/><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Illegal_Duties\"><\/span>Illegal Duties<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Working_for_another_person_and_in_another_place\"><\/span><strong>Working for another person and in another place<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>The domestic helper cannot work for another employer or at another address specified in the employment contract. This includes the employer&#8217;s friends or relatives. The helper and the employer may be liable to criminal prosecution if found guilty.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Non-domestic_duties\"><\/span><strong>Non-domestic duties<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>You cannot work in any businesses or to perform tasks not related to household duties. <\/strong>These unrelated duties may include<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>helping out in a shop\/office<\/li>\n<li>running errands for the employer\u2019s business<\/li>\n<li>cleaning the employer\u2019s office\/workplace\/store\/warehouse<\/li>\n<li>giving out flyers on the streets<\/li>\n<li>delivering documents<\/li>\n<li>filling\/photocopying documents<\/li>\n<li>producing products for sale<\/li>\n<li>being a point of contact for the business<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>You should not be required to perform non-domestic duties.<\/strong> You have the right to refuse to do it as it is not counted as domestic duties.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_should_you_do_if_your_employer_asks_you_to_perform_unrelated_duties\"><\/span>What should you do if your employer asks you to perform unrelated duties?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If your employer asks you to work for another person or to perform non-domestic duties, <strong>you should say no and explain to the employer that it is illegal to do so and she or he may be prosecuted as well.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If the employer insists, then you may report the matter to the <strong>Immigration Department (Tel: 2824 6111)<\/strong> or the <strong>Labour Department (Tel: 2157 9537)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>However, if you make such a report, be sure that you have not been involved or carried out the illegal work, because you yourself may be subject to investigation at the same time.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"You_might_always_be_interested_in\"><\/span><strong>You might always be interested in:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/maid\/job-duties\">Types of Jobs a Maid Is Allowed to Do in Singapore<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/maid\/employment-law\">Maid Employment Law in Singapore<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/tl\/peos\">Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS)<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/en-ph\/pdos\">Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS)<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\" https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/c286a8e3-5a13-4b71-8b04-22f443e1a427-untitleddesign28129.jpg\" alt=\"find a domestic worker job in hong kong for free\" \/><\/figure>\n<p><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/registration\/childcare\/applicant\">Looking for a domestic helper job? Apply now and enjoy 100% Online job search and ZERO placement fees! \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Updated 03 February 2026 (If you want to know what duties and responsibilities a domestic helper has in Singapore, please click here instead!) Duties for Domestic Helper in Hong Kong The Standard Employment Contract (SEC) states that the\u00a0foreign domestic worker has to work and live in the employer\u2019s residence as specified in the contract and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":12221,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"slim_seo":{"description":"Learn the duties and responsibilities of domestic helpers in cleaning, cooking, childcare, and care support to set clear expectations as an employer.","title":"Domestic Helper Duties and Responsibilities: A Clear Guide for Employers - HelperChoice Blog"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[383],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12219","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-manage-helper"],"blocksy_meta":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/c4ce062e-27af-425a-8020-f1b99d4a34cf-cleaningmirror-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12219","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/53"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12219"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12219\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16512,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12219\/revisions\/16512"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12221"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12219"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12219"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12219"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}