A post on social media generated heated discussion among Hong Kong employers after a domestic worker kept claiming sick leave while refusing to see a doctor.
The maid’s employer said she had requested two to three days’ sick leaves every month claiming various kinds of ailments, including a headache and a stomach ache, Sky Post reported.
Most of the time the maid called in sick after her Sunday rest day and said she needed to take at least two more days off.
When the employer wanted to take her to see a doctor, she refused, claiming that all she needed was rest in order to recover.
The employer said she was worried about the maid’s sickness, and was puzzled why her employee did not want to go see a doctor.
Another employer said he had faced the same situation but when he told his domestic worker that her sick days would be deducted from her salary or leave, his maid’s health recovered.
According to the Hong Kong Employment Ordinance, an employee is entitled to sickness allowance if the sick leave taken is not less than four consecutive days or is supported by an appropriate medical certificate.
The daily rate of sickness allowance is a sum equivalent to 80% of the average daily wages earned by an employee in the 12-month period preceding the sickness day or the first sickness day.
Joan Tsui Hiu-tung, convener of the Support Group for Hong Kong Employers, advised people to explain the relevant rules on sick leave to their domestic workers on the first day of employment and to show them the information for their reference.
Betty Yung Ma Shan-yee, chairwoman of the Hong Kong Employers of Overseas Domestic Helpers’ Association, advised that to protect both the employee and family members, it is the employer’s responsibility to take the worker to a doctor if he or she is not feeling well.
Yung said employers should also show concern when their workers report illness.
Why you keep on saying leave out????
No DH are allowed to leave out..the hk immigration already scrapped the policy….
why dont see a dr. it is a mandate for the employee to see a dr. if she was sick and should have a dr.certificate for the assurance of the employees health..or maybe the employee has a hangover that is why ????????????
Lashinggggg
Exactly!hang over!
how many days in a month should an helper could avail a sickleave?my employer deduct $700 from my salary because i just had a chicken pox which is i’ve got it from her daugther. then she told me to have a 7 days sick leave but i stay only inside my room then come out to wash the dishes after dinner…when she gave me my salary she alreay had the paper where i signed after getting my salary i was suprised when she said only 2 days sick leave in a month is allowed
I agree to that kabayan i think they are talking about stay out helper and maybe their stay with their hushband
What about those employed for 12 yrs. with the same employer and havent used the sick leave ..is there any reward?
Claiming sick leave for a few days after her day off is quite ..craziness and even dont want to see doctor, thats means shes sick on her mind and not by her health. Maybe the employer is kind thats why shes taking her advantage. For me even im sick i was forced to work giving consideration to my boss, if i feel unwell i do take early medication. Better to prevent than to cure
Amelia Pantal most of us experienced that…kya tyo.. BAWAL MAGKASAKIT
True…baka pa dinagdagan ng pakikichurbachurba kaya napagod…Hahaha
i experienced it too soo sad.
Exactly thats my thinking too.
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I think the problem here is in the helper, after rest day on sunday she takes sick leave? What comes to my mind only is that i think she cannot stand her hang over dats why she do it every month.. whew! This is crazy…!
As they mentioned the helper doesn’t want to go for check up, that’s crazy!!
Live in maids are never done this stuff. They must work even their condition are not fine. And since when a maid could take sick leaves?. 7 years I have been working in Hong Kong but I never heard such as things. She deserves to black list coz she makes a fool of her employer!!!
Sick leave rules out domestic helper. Even with a high fever and a doctor certificate we are forced to work…. Sad but its true that hk emploters thought we are machine..seldom u can find who really cares for the helper’s health… And some dont even pay for medical exoensenses..
This chizin employer think she’s so wise..
How stupid act! If u dont need/like your maid, so easy, just terminate her & pay your maid to what is the labor law mandate.. So sad my kabayan.. Not all employers are bad. Their are just some trying hard employers. Fight for ur right!
I think this scenario happened to those who are live out..For the live in helpers,they usually do self medication.Until they couldn’t stand the pain or sickness then will tell the employer.
These are only few cases….most of domestic helpers are force to work even if we are not feeling well…and we cant complain, as we want good harmony working relationship to our employer…esp those stay in helpers.