Posted by
naomi33
16 yrs ago
My helper came back late last night and said the lady representative from AIG had come to HK from Philippines. I have come to understand she is selling insurance on a Sunday.
I have read the contract and know that she is not allowed to work for anyone else. Could i get into trouble for this or is this activity common. I don't want to be tough but i think everyone needs a day off and anyway even if i tell her to stop i can't be sure she will. Advice please?
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My understanding is that you can only get into trouble if you are "aiding and abetting" your helper with the illegal part-time job. Knowing that she is doing one would not be sufficient for "aiding and abetting" which seems to require some positive action on your part.
So, telling her of the position under the law and making it clear that you don't condone the part-time work would be sufficient for you to avoid liability. Of course this doesn't mean that she will stop the job and could mean that, if she is caught, you suffer the inconvenience of having to get a new helper.
So let her know that her action could cause you hardship as well. After that it is her decision.
My helper has a part-time job on Sundays. She knows my position and the legal position and has made her choice to take the risk of prosecution. I feel that if I press too hard she will continue with the job but lie to me about it. In the end, I'd rather that she was honest with me and dishonest with the government. It's her choice.
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Thanks for all replies I appreciate it. Well, I have found out she's working for IMG. Do these big companies not have to held accountable for who they hire? I have found out even though she has flatly denied it to my face making up some big story. I'm not sure what to do because she is a v good helper but I feel very uncomfortable at being lied to.
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Perhaps when we jump so quickly to condemn this person for wanting to earn a little extra cash we should consider how many employees lie and have there helpers live out or employ illegal part time helpers to put it in perspective. We have all lied at some time so lets not over react when another person does it especially when it’s obvious that her reason for doing so is to avoid a lecture or trouble from her employer.
It may not be right but it is very commonplace and it's not like she left your child unattended or sent them to play in the road or other such terrible thing.
Explain that you know and that while you don't approve you would appreciate it if she were honest with you in future, as you cannot have a person living in your home that you can't trust.
Can I just ask how you know she's doing this for sure if she has denied it?
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As I said yes it's wrong but no worse than what employers do and what most people do at certain times in their life.
All i'm saying is take it in perspective with the world we live in and only take the high ground if you can say you have never lied yourself, otherwise try to see it from both sides and talk to the helper about it like adults.
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maxis
16 yrs ago
Well, it is illegal,
but most people do something a little iffy at times.
Did we all declare the few bucks we made doing a some tutoring when we were younger? Same thing really.
Just because she lied about it, doesn't mean she'll do something dodgy with the kids or in the house.
Actually, selling insurance on her day off (if it is confimed to that day) is much more honest than selling your sopa powder, food, and anything else she could swipe. Further, selling insurance surely wouldn't be as profitable as renting herself out at a bar, as some may do.
If she is a good helper, I'd tell her it is illegal and the consequences,and that I hope she stops, however what she does in her own time is her own business, but just be home by the normal time (but don;t forget she is entitled to 24 hours of, so unless she went out Sat sometime, then really it is up to her what time she comes back, provided she isn't drunk and gets enough sleep to do her duties the next morning)
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well,for me,its her own problem not urs
as long a suve told her tah u dont aloowed her to do that
living out or having a part time s out of the concern of the employer
thats the dh problem,f the police catch them
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Side-tracking a little but just to let you guys have an idea of how difficult it is to avoid breaking the rules - i've advertised in both geoxpat and asiaxpat to hire a part time helper. i must have got at least 50 replies so far and none of them is legal (all FDHs). One actually calls herself legal but when i called up, she said her employer knows about her doing part time and that's why she calls herself legal!
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