Mobile phone usage agreement for Domestic helpers
Updated: Aug 17
A mobile-phone usage agreement helps you balance a supportive relationship with safe, respectful boundaries for your helper. This template sets out zero-screen zones, permitted phone times, late-night rules and social-media boundaries — amend it freely to suit your household.
At a Glance: Phone Rules That Work
Your helper's phone is a lifeline to her family — the goal is focus and safety, not isolation.
Zero-screen zones: active caregiving, high-risk chores (cooking, ironing, hot liquids/chemicals) and mealtimes.
Permitted use: scheduled breaks, after knock-off time, and for genuine emergencies.
Late-night calls should end by about 10:30 PM, with the phone on silent or earphones afterwards.
No filming inside the home or posting photos of your children, elderly family or belongings without permission.
Zone-by-Zone Rules
Situation | Rule | Why |
Active caregiving (children/elderly) | Phone away | Safety is priority #1 |
Cooking, ironing, hot liquids/chemicals | Phone away | Prevent burns and accidents |
Family / own mealtimes | Phone away | Proper rest break |
Scheduled afternoon break | Free use | Personal time to connect home |
After knock-off time | Free use | Workday officially over |
After ~10:30 PM | Silent / earphones | Adequate rest for the next day |
General Principles
Treat the phone as a lifeline, not a distraction: your helper is free to keep her phone on her person provided it does not interfere with her responsibilities. Just as you respect her private time, ask that she respect working hours by keeping personal screen time to designated breaks.
Privacy and Social-Media Boundaries
To protect your family's privacy: filming videos, taking photos or hosting livestreams inside the home is prohibited without explicit permission; photos of children, elderly family members or personal belongings must never be posted; and workplace grievances should be raised with you directly rather than aired on social media. Exchange emergency contacts — at least one immediate family member back home, plus your numbers saved on her phone and posted on the fridge — and keep communication open if the policy ever needs adjusting.
A Note on Compliance
This template is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Household practices and MOM labour guidelines can change, so employers should verify specific obligations with MOM or a qualified professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my domestic helper use her phone during working hours?
Yes — a helper may keep her phone on her person, but reasonable rules can restrict use during safety-critical moments such as active caregiving, cooking or ironing, while allowing free use during scheduled breaks and after knock-off time.
What is a mobile phone usage agreement for domestic helpers?
It is a written template that sets out when a helper's phone may be used, when it must be put away (zero-screen zones), late-night limits, and social-media and privacy boundaries — balancing her need to stay connected with household safety.
Is it legal to restrict my helper's phone use in Singapore?
Yes, employers may set reasonable, clearly communicated rules about phone use during working hours. The key is fairness: keep permitted windows for breaks and emergencies and discuss adjustments openly rather than imposing total bans.
Can my helper post photos of my children on social media?
Not without your explicit permission. A standard agreement prohibits filming inside the home and posting photos or videos of children, elderly family members or personal belongings — this protects your family's privacy and safety.
How do I set phone rules without damaging the relationship?
Frame it as safety and respect rather than control: explain the 'why' behind each rule, keep permitted windows generous, include an open-door clause for emergencies, and invite her to discuss the policy if it ever feels too restrictive.
Contact iHome Agency — WhatsApp 8042 6581 · EA Licence 26C3446 · Punggol & Northshore specialist.
