Replacement Helper Handover Singapore: Employer Guide

A short overlap can reduce risk when a household changes helpers, especially where a baby, older person, medication routine, pet or complicated home schedule is involved. But a good handover is not simply “the old helper trains the new one”. It is an employer-led transition with MOM approval, a focused household plan, respectful treatment of both employees and a clean final-pay and departure process.

Quick answer: request the handover only after approval

MOM’s replacement-helper handover FAQ says the employer may ask for a handover period once the new helper’s Work Permit is approved, and MOM will give the outcome instantly. An employment agency must first obtain the employer’s authorisation in the FDW eService before performing transactions. Treat the eService outcome—not a planned arrival date—as the permission to overlap.

Do not assume a universal number of days

MOM’s public FAQ describes a short handover but does not publish one duration that this guide can promise every employer. Request the period through the current eService, read the outcome and plan within the dates approved. If travel, permit issuance or the outgoing helper’s departure changes, check with MOM or the employment agency before extending or rearranging the overlap.

Prepare the knowledge before the overlap starts

Write the routine yourself, then ask the outgoing helper to correct practical gaps. Include emergency contacts, family members, daily timings, allergies, food preferences, school or clinic routes, appliance instructions, household supplies and recurring appointments. Keep the document task-focused. Do not copy private messages, unrelated health details or personal information from the outgoing helper’s phone.

• Put life-and-safety information before cleaning preferences.
• Separate facts from habits: “child is allergic to peanuts” is different from “I usually fold towels this way”.
• Demonstrate high-risk care and equipment yourself or arrange qualified training.
• Give the incoming helper time to practise and explain the steps back.
• Create a private channel for each helper to raise questions or concerns with the employer.

Use the overlap for observation, not a workload spike

Run the normal routine at a slower, teachable pace. The outgoing helper can demonstrate, the incoming helper can practise and the employer can verify the result. Do not use two workers to add spring cleaning, a party or deferred projects. Both helpers still need adequate food, rest, privacy, safe work and appropriate accommodation during the overlap.

Protect dignity and privacy on both sides

Avoid comparisons such as “she is faster than you” or asking either helper to criticise the other. Do not disclose one person’s salary, loan, health history, family situation, disciplinary matter or private communications unless there is a lawful, necessary reason. The outgoing helper can explain the household; she does not have to surrender personal accounts, contacts or belongings to create continuity.

Keep employment terms and accommodation workable

MOM encourages a mutually agreed written employment contract covering matters such as salary, rest days, notice and compensation in lieu of notice. Its rest-day and well-being guidance continues to apply during a handover. Plan a safe sleeping arrangement with privacy for both helpers rather than improvising after arrival.

Close the outgoing employment properly

Settle salary and any other outstanding employment issue, follow the agreed notice terms and complete the correct transfer or departure steps. If the outgoing helper is returning home, MOM’s repatriation guide says to ensure a valid passport, agree transit arrangements in writing and buy the air ticket and connecting transport to the international port nearest her hometown. Her departure must be within two weeks of Work Permit cancellation. Check current instructions before booking.

Plan for no overlap as a fallback

Flights, permit processing, transfer timing or personal decisions can remove the planned overlap. Keep an employer-written home manual, record appliance instructions without filming private care, arrange family coverage for critical days and reduce non-essential chores. A safe transition should not depend on the outgoing helper staying longer than agreed.

How this guide avoids overlap

This page owns MOM-approved replacement overlap, knowledge transfer and fair closure intent. The transfer versus new helper guide compares hiring routes, while the home onboarding checklist covers a new helper’s first weeks. Use this guide only for the point where an outgoing and incoming helper may overlap.

Sources and review note

Last reviewed 8 September 2026. Primary references are MOM’s replacement-handover FAQ, Work Permit application and transfer pages, contract and well-being guidance, repatriation requirements and EA service-agreement rules, linked above and listed below. Follow the dates in the actual MOM outcome for your case.