I discovered my helper had been stealing from us but she had already left for holidays to confront her. I don't know how to handle the situation, she has worked for us for 8 months. She did not steal in desperation for she stole four camera chips (with our memories of our children as babies) and money from their piggy bank, two thousand plus, and god knows what else. I have no proof. Can anyone help me out please?
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Foolsevery1 - That's hardly the point, is it?
Are you sure it's her? (You say you have no proof - but does anyone else have access to your house, for example?) If you're sure, and she comes back, then you need to a) confront her and b) probably fire her. You could try calling her first and asking her if she's seen the camera chips because you need them and can't find them - that way you might at least get them back. Good luck!
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The camera chips aren't worth much monetarily but the memories are irreplaceable. I doubt these will be recovered in the condition you require, as these chips can be easily erased. The piggy bank money is also difficult to replace.
Anyway, if you have no proof, how can you say that your helper has been stealing?
Are these items missing and you have no one else to point the finger?
I think it is simple. If you have proof, you terminate your helper with cause (even telling her now not to bother returning to Hong Kong). If you don't have proof, you can coerce a confession and then terminate your helper with cause. Or, you fire her without cause since she has lost your confidence (rightly or wrongly) and give her one month's notice.
In any of the scenarios, you probably want to start interviewing for a replacement now.
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Taps
18 yrs ago
Try AsiaXPAT, they seem to have a Filipina staff whose name is Evelyn who might be of help, or at least sound another opinion.
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According to the Employment Guidebook, the employer may terminate the contract without notice or payment in lieu if the Helper, in relation to his / her employment:
a. wilfully disobeys a lawful and reasonable order;
b. misconducts himself/herself, such conduct being inconsistent with the due and faithful discharge of his/her duties;
c. is guilty of fraud or dishonesty;
d. is habitually neglectful of his/her duties; or
e. has caused the employer, on any other ground, to be entitled to terminate the contract without notice at common law.
These are stated in the Employment of Domestic Helpers from Abroad Guidebook copy given to my sister by her agent. By the way, my sis has been using this agency for the past three years and will happily refer to you if you need so.
Good Luck.
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Thanks for all your help. I did confront her, she broke down in tears and then I felt guilty! I don't know how anyone else could have taken them but I have no proof it was her. Now she has told her friends in the conplex we live in and I am getting treated like the horrible employer. I think I should just terminate her contract but on what grounds? Also she owes us three thousand and to answer an earlier question why we gave her holidays, she said her mother died. I think she did die.
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etnad
18 yrs ago
You think her mother did die, as she had said? Did the chips and the money disappeared a few weeks before her holidays? If yes, i would figure out she spent it for some other form of holidays, like probably meeting someone she met on the internet? A proper way is to ask her a copy of her mother's death certificate. Its normal for an employer to do so. Its not so difficult to obtain such piece of paper.
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