Does anyone have experience with a domestic helper?

[robinswob59]

A friend of ours is a barrister who advocates for Filipina helpers in Hong Kong and he recently told us of a wonderful woman who was in an abusive situation. She was forced to leave HK to get a new visa, and we are her new sponsors. She arrives tomorrow and I have a few questions. This is our first time having a live-in helper and we want to make her feel comfortable.

Does anyone have any tips? I work from home so I'll always be around when she's here. Is there anything I can do to make her feel more at home? My husband is currently out of town, so when I'm cooking dinner should I cook for her too? Friends have said that if I offer this then she'll feel uncomfortable, but I'm not sure what to do. Of course I'll ask her what she'd prefer, but she's very formal and in emails and on the phone insists on calling me "ma'am". We're American and very informal, and I'd like her to feel that this is her home as well, but I don't want to force anything on her and I'm afraid that if I suggest that we be more informal that it will make her uncomfortable.

Also, how much do you generally pay your domestic helpers? I've seen the HK government documents that suggest 100 HKD per day, but is that correct and standard?

I've tried to learn a few phrases in Filipino to make her feel welcome, but I'm not sure what else I can do.

I'd really appreciate any advice on this. My primary aim is to treat her with respect and make her feel welcome.