{"id":12534,"date":"2020-03-19T13:37:38","date_gmt":"2020-03-19T05:37:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/maid\/employers-add-need-domestic-helper\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T02:16:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T18:16:26","slug":"employers-add-need-domestic-helper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/employers-add-need-domestic-helper\/","title":{"rendered":"Checking an FDW\u2019s Work History and References: A Practical Guide for Employers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>Updated 02 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\/employers-add-need-domestic-helper\/#Setting_criteria_for_the_ideal_maid_for_your_family\" >Setting criteria for the ideal maid for your family<\/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\/employers-add-need-domestic-helper\/#Contacting_previous_employers\" >Contacting previous employers<\/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\/employers-add-need-domestic-helper\/#Checking_a_maids_employment_history_online_for_Singapore_employers\" >Checking a maid&#8217;s employment history online for Singapore employers<\/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\/employers-add-need-domestic-helper\/#How_Much_Weight_Should_You_Give_to_Feedback\" >How Much Weight Should You Give to Feedback?<\/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\/employers-add-need-domestic-helper\/#How_HelperChoice_Supports_Better_Matching\" >How HelperChoice Supports Better Matching<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/employers-add-need-domestic-helper\/#Final_Thoughts_Use_Background_Checks_as_a_Tool_Not_a_Barrier\" >Final Thoughts: Use Background Checks as a Tool, Not a Barrier<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/employers-add-need-domestic-helper\/#You_might_also_be_interested_in\" >You might also be interested in:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Employers who want to hire domestic helpers with proven track records can rely on <strong>recommendations from previous employers<\/strong>. A recommendation can let you know that a maid\u2019s work was appreciated and can tell you a lot about her strengths and weaknesses.<\/p>\n<p>But before seeking recommendations, you should decide what skills your ideal maid should have. Also bear in mind that while a maid may be experienced, you will still need to help her <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.helperchoice.com\/manage-your-new-helper\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">settle into<\/a> her new job.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Setting_criteria_for_the_ideal_maid_for_your_family\"><\/span>Setting criteria for the ideal maid for your family<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Think about where you need an extra hand at home. Are you looking for someone to look after the children during the day, or rather for someone who keeps the house clean and buys and cooks food? Do you want your helper to work independently, or should she follow your directions closely? Having your criteria set out before looking for candidates will save you and maids seeking jobs tons of time.<\/p>\n<p>See also:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper\/identifying-needs-find-domestic-helper-best-matches\">How to Write a Good Job Description and Find the Right Domestic Helper<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/en-sg\/maid\/employers-looking-for-domestic-helper\">Tips for Conducting a Domestic Helper Interview<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Contacting_previous_employers\"><\/span>Contacting previous employers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Many employers like to speak to a current or previous employer to hear more about their maid candidates. Generally, if the employer has positive things to say and can attest to a maid\u2019s strengths and duties performed, this will make the candidate that much more attractive.<\/p>\n<p>When contacting a current or previous employer, it\u2019s all about asking the right questions. <strong>Be specific with your questions<\/strong> to find out more about the maid. Was she good at handling the children? How did she play with them, and discipline them? Is she a good cook? Does she cook from recipes or does the employer give her the freedom to choose what to cook? Which household duties might the maid need to improve on? What does her usual workday entail?<\/p>\n<p>It is not always easy to get hold of previous or current employers since <strong>some employers may not want their maid to share their contact details<\/strong>, or the <strong>maid may be worried about what the employer will say.<br \/><\/strong><br \/>If you are an employer in Singapore and your helper is transferring from another employer, it may be easier to speak to them. This is because the employer will have to sign an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mom.gov.sg\/passes-and-permits\/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker\/transfer-to-a-new-employer\">issuance declaration<\/a> that says he or she agrees to the transfer.<\/p>\n<p>Many domestic helpers have <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/the-importance-of-domestic-helper-recommendations-unravelled\">reference letters<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 you can ask them to bring these along on the day of the interview.<\/p>\n<p>Even better, <strong>you can now see what other employers have said about candidates on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\">HelperChoice<\/a> website<\/strong>. <strong>HelperChoice\u2019s recommendations feature<\/strong> allows current or past employers to recommend their domestic helpers directly into their online profiles for prospective employers to see.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/yoopies-cms2fee37d338-751b-4ba7-8660-7be67bace587-importanceofmaidrecommendations.jpg\" alt=\"The Importance Of Maid Recommendations In Singapore\" \/><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Checking_a_maids_employment_history_online_for_Singapore_employers\"><\/span>Checking a maid&#8217;s employment history online for Singapore employers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>If you cannot get hold of previous employers, you can also turn to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The ministry keeps records of every <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mom.gov.sg\/faq\/work-permit-for-fdw\/how-do-i-check-an-fdws-employment-history\">foreign worker\u2019s employment history<\/a>. If you have her work permit number and a SingPass (you can easily apply for one if you don\u2019t have one yet), you can check on the ministry\u2019s website. If you find any discrepancies, you can ask the maids to explain.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, the ministry also asks previous employers to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mom.gov.sg\/passes-and-permits\/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker\/notify-mom-of-changes\">give feedback<\/a> on their maids\u2019 behaviour, work attitude and performance. This can be done by simply leaving the domestic helper\u2019s name and work permit number, along with your own name as her employer, the National Registration Identity Card number, and contact details.<\/p>\n<p>When employers or employment agencies submit FDW work permit applications for maids who have been reported, they will be informed about this. The ministry will also give the employer or employment agency the previous employer\u2019s contact details in case they want to follow up. You can still decide to hire this domestic helper and the ministry will process the application. Only when maids have been charged and found guilty of any offence under the laws of Singapore will they be blacklisted.<\/p>\n<p>It should be noted that maids who are found to have misrepresented themselves to the Ministry of Manpower will be repatriated to their home countries, whether that may be the Philippines, Indonesia, or another sending nation.<\/p>\n<p>See also: <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.helperchoice.com\/new-measures-to-better-match-employers-with-maids\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>New Measures to Better Match Employers with Maids<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"5306\" data-end=\"5353\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Much_Weight_Should_You_Give_to_Feedback\"><\/span>How Much Weight Should You Give to Feedback?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"5355\" data-end=\"5453\">Feedback and references are valuable, but they should never be the <em data-start=\"5422\" data-end=\"5428\">only<\/em> factor in your decision.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5455\" data-end=\"5468\">Keep in mind:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"5469\" data-end=\"5628\">\n<li data-start=\"5469\" data-end=\"5514\">\n<p data-start=\"5471\" data-end=\"5514\">Some employers may be emotional or biased<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5515\" data-end=\"5587\">\n<p data-start=\"5517\" data-end=\"5587\">A helper may leave due to poor treatment, leading to unfair feedback<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5588\" data-end=\"5628\">\n<p data-start=\"5590\" data-end=\"5628\">Work styles differ across households<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"5630\" data-end=\"5694\">A domestic helper\u2019s background should be reviewed together with:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"5695\" data-end=\"5789\">\n<li data-start=\"5695\" data-end=\"5725\">\n<p data-start=\"5697\" data-end=\"5725\">Your interview impressions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5726\" data-end=\"5750\">\n<p data-start=\"5728\" data-end=\"5750\">Your household needs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5751\" data-end=\"5789\">\n<p data-start=\"5753\" data-end=\"5789\">Her willingness to learn and adapt<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"5791\" data-end=\"5806\">Balance is key.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"5813\" data-end=\"5857\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_HelperChoice_Supports_Better_Matching\"><\/span>How HelperChoice Supports Better Matching<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"5859\" data-end=\"6086\">On HelperChoice, employers can view <strong data-start=\"5895\" data-end=\"5946\">verified employment records and recommendations<\/strong> shared directly by previous employers on a helper\u2019s profile. This adds transparency and helps you see feedback in context \u2014 not as hearsay.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6088\" data-end=\"6208\">It also allows helpers to build a credible employment record that reflects real work history, not just agency summaries.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"6215\" data-end=\"6280\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Thoughts_Use_Background_Checks_as_a_Tool_Not_a_Barrier\"><\/span>Final Thoughts: Use Background Checks as a Tool, Not a Barrier<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"6282\" data-end=\"6433\">Checking a domestic helper\u2019s background, employment record, and character reference helps reduce uncertainty \u2014 but it shouldn\u2019t replace human judgment.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6435\" data-end=\"6626\">No helper is perfect on paper. What matters most is whether her experience, attitude, and expectations align with your household, and whether both sides are willing to communicate and adjust.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6628\" data-end=\"6719\">A thoughtful, balanced approach leads to better matches \u2014 and better working relationships.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"You_might_also_be_interested_in\"><\/span><strong>You might also be interested in:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/en-sg\/maid\">Singapore Maid Hiring Guide<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper\">Hong Kong Domestic Helper Hiring Guide<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper\/identifying-needs-find-domestic-helper-best-matches\">How to Write a Good Job Description and Find the Right Domestic Helper<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/en-sg\/maid\/employers-looking-for-domestic-helper\">Tips for Conducting a Domestic Helper Interview<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\">Search Now \u2192<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Updated 02 February 2026 Employers who want to hire domestic helpers with proven track records can rely on recommendations from previous employers. A recommendation can let you know that a maid\u2019s work was appreciated and can tell you a lot about her strengths and weaknesses. But before seeking recommendations, you should decide what skills your [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":12536,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"slim_seo":{"description":"Explore practical ways employers can review an FDW\u2019s employment history, references, and past employer feedback before making a hiring decision.","title":"Checking an FDW\u2019s Work History and References: A Practical Guide for Employers - HelperChoice Blog"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12534","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hiring-preparation"],"blocksy_meta":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/444d03ce7547c09c3072e24ebe598d3bfa611151-importance-of-maid-recommendations-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12534","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=12534"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12534\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15965,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12534\/revisions\/15965"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12536"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12534"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12534"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12534"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}