What counts as a rest day
A rest day is at least 24 hours in a row. It is yours: you can spend it away from your employer’s home. Being “on call”, or asked to finish chores before you leave, eats into it.
Who chooses the day
Your employer sets the rest days, usually Sunday, and must tell you before the start of each month. If you both agree, a rest day can be moved to another day in the same month before it, or within 30 days after it.
If you are asked to work
An employer must not compel you to work on a rest day except in a genuine emergency. You can choose to work if you want to, but the day must be given back: a substitute rest day within 30 days, and your employer must tell you the arrangement within 48 hours of the day you worked. Paying you instead of the day off is not allowed.
The penalty
An employer who fails to grant rest days, or who forces you to work them, can be prosecuted and fined up to HK$50,000.
This explains the law in plain words. It is not legal advice — confirm with the Labour Department, 2717 1771.
Sources
- Labour Department — Concise Guide to the Employment Ordinance
- Labour Department — foreign domestic helpers
Updated 18 September 2026