Question on Severance Payment

Posted by girlie (46 days ago)

Hi all.
Our helper is pregnant and gave us a month's notice. She wants to go home and have her baby in the Philippines. She's not coming back.
We are planning to give her cash to help her out with the birth and all that. Do we have to pay her severance payment, too? She's on her second contract with us.
I'm hoping that someone out there has had personal experience with this and can share it with me. I have checked the Labour Dept website, and i'm just a bit confused by it.
Thanks.

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Posted by FKKC (46 days ago)

You should thank your lucky star that your helper has the ability to go back to The Philippines to have her baby and not put you through the whole process of you taking care of her during her pregnancy. Giving her cash is a good gesture. As to the severance pay, it's only 2/3 of the recent salary x3 unless she's in her 4th year working for you - then just x4. It's really a small price to pay for not causing you any unforseen inconveniences.

Posted by Seawarriors (46 days ago)

Posted by girlie (46 days ago)

Thanks for the reply, FKKC.

Not trying to avoid paying, really. Just trying to understand the law better.

Posted by FKKC (45 days ago)

Hi girlie,
Sorry, never meant it to put it as if you were avoiding to pay. It's just I was excited for you that your helper is leaving knowing she's pregnant and not putting you thro any inconveniences.
As to the law, I guess nobody can understand or define it 100% seeing the stuffs being written lately in these threads.

Posted by girlie (44 days ago)

That's okay, FKKC.
Our helper is good, and I regret losing her. She said she would stay if I wanted her to. But when I asked her what she really wanted to do, she said she wants to go home. So, much as I want to keep her, I can't be selfish. I know what it's like to be pregnant. She'll be happier being surrounded by her own family.
With regards to the law, looks like she doesn't get severance payment because she resigned. We'll just pay it anyway. Like you said, it's a small price to pay, and she definitely deserves it.
Now, if I can just find a replacement who'll be as good as her...