Sickdays

I am leaving HK for good and will be teminating my helper. Do I have to pay her the sick days she has not taken? She has only taken one sick day in the three years she has worked for us. I am just so unsure of how this works.


I am also leaving in 2 months. Can I give her 2 months notice? Is that enough?


Thank you for any help you can give.

Hi HKMom,

I've never heard anyone paying a helper for unused sick leave. That's not a general practice among HK workplaces. I don't get anything for any unused sick leave, so I'd assume the same principle applies across the board, extending to foreign domestic helpers. It's best to ask at the labour department, to be sure. Their contact details:

www.labour.gov.hk

or phone 2717 1771


With regards to termination notice, you're technically required to just give her 1 month's notice, but up to you if you want to make it 2 months. Just bear in mind that if you give her 2 months' notice, you may find that her attitude changes (earlier) and she'd be busy looking for other employment (interviews, etc.) during the last 2 months with you.

Domestic helpers are just the same. Unused sick leave will not be paid. The meaning of sick leave is if you take 1-2 days off from work because you are sick, you will still be paid for those 2 days but not the other way round. Regarding the termination notice, I agree with blcwc. When 1 month is enough, why bother 2 months? Unless you want her out of your house as soon as she can.