Ten years ago, Fair Employment Agency (FEA) launched with the aim of reinventing what it’s like hiring a domestic helper. Co-founder TAMMY BALTZ reflects on the past decade and shares what’s coming next.
Tell us about what led up to you founding the Fair Employment Agency in 2014.
I moved to Hong Kong in 1999 as a trailing spouse. After one Sunday in the city, I was intrigued by the thousands of women who gathered in Central on their only day off. When I decided to take a break from my career in 2001, I sought out opportunities to work with this dynamic and invaluable group of women.
For 11 years, I volunteered with HELP, an NGO aiding domestic workers. In that time, I was consistently inspired by the grit and graciousness of the domestic workers I interacted with. There are numerous barriers to their success. From unscrupulous recruiters and lenders, to employers who are tainted by misinformation from employment agencies. Despite all of that, I met some of the most positive, kind and generous women. They inspired my decision to pursue FEA.
What support do you provide during the process of hiring a domestic helper?
We provide ethical, professional and transparent recruitment services with no placement fees to workers. Our goal is to help workers find success in their jobs so they can provide for their families and reach their goals. Workers who arrive with little or no debt can start sending money home immediately. This allows them to spend their time focusing on their employer’s needs, not paying off debts.
What was it like starting a social business in Hong Kong?
Starting a business of any kind in Hong Kong is incredibly easy in comparison to many other jurisdictions. On the other hand, entering a market with 1,500 competitors, long-standing misconceptions and well-established unhelpful practices, was incredibly challenging. We continue to work to change mindsets and improve the system for both workers and employers.
How can employers help their workers be successful in their roles?
Having a new person come to live and work in your home is a transition for everyone. There are a few things that I would recommend to employers. Firstly, over-communicate, especially in the beginning. Encourage your helper to ask questions; constructive feedback from both sides should also be provided regularly.
Secondly, your home is unique to your family. Even an experienced worker will take time to adjust to the new environment. Be patient and provide guidance. Even something as small as where the local grocery store or market is located can be extremely helpful when a new person is settling in.
Lastly, small acts of kindness go a long way in supporting a positive working relationship. Provide compliments, remember a birthday, acknowledge a special holiday or provide a small unexpected gift to show your appreciation.
Could you share with us some success stories or a particular moment that stands out to you?
There have been so many meaningful moments over the past ten years. One that always sticks with me is our first ever placement. It failed very early into the contract, but both the employer and worker trusted us to find a better fit for them. We learned a lot from that experience and I always reflect on how far we have come as a business and how important our early supporters were to our success.
We knew from the beginning that communication was key to successful worker/employer relationships, but one experience really hammered this home. FEA sends wellness surveys to all of our workers and one came back with a red flag alert (that is, the worker might be in danger). We immediately followed up with the worker and she told us she was very happy with her employer, but was not getting enough food.
When we asked how her employer responded when she discussed this with them, she told us she was too afraid to have that conversation. After further discussions and support by our staff, the worker felt comfortable communicating with her employer directly rather than having FEA intervene.
The following week, both the worker and employer called to thank us. They found a way to improve their communications and to solve this issue. Due to a simple misunderstanding, the worker nearly left her job. After receiving support, she was able to use communication as an important tool to her own success. FEA continues to support workers in improving their communication skills in all of our training and through our other interactions with workers and employers.
The second moment that comes to mind was when we passed the 9,000 placement threshold. We often focus on monthly and annual goals so these big milestones serve as a reminder of just how far we have come.
Our impact and success isn’t only measured by the number of placements we successfully complete, but also by the information we provide workers and employers on our website. I was shocked when we started tracking our web traffic more closely and found that our Get Answers webpage receives over 20,000 visitors each month! Employers and workers know they can find accurate, reliable and articulate answers to their questions.
What are some things you’ve learnt while running the Fair Employment Agency?
I’ve learnt that there are so many wonderful employers and workers who, once connected, build strong relationships that allow both to flourish. This system can work for everyone.
I also had the chance to see that workers who we work with are amazing and resilient women. They come to HK to make a living for their families back home. So they can send kids to school, pay medical bills, build homes and start businesses. There’s something very admirable and brave about having the courage to start over in a new country with no family and friends near you. Just so they can give their families a better life.
My time with FEA has also shown that we owe our success to the many dedicated team members and volunteers we’ve worked with through the years. Without a strong, mission aligned team, we could not have achieved the impact and change we have to date.
The Fair Employment Agency is celebrating 10 years. How does that feel?
Fantastic! We’ve accomplished so many of our goals, but we still have so much work to do. We are full steam ahead entering this next decade. We continue to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of Hong Kong. We’re very lucky that our clients are our biggest advocates. We hope to reach more families both new and old as we improve the system for workers and employers.
This article featuring an ethical agency to help you with hiring a domestic helper first appeared in the December 2024 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
