Need to fire my helper

I have a helper whose contract gets over on this Sept 18th. Initially she was keen to continue work with us and we started the paper work on renewing the contract. Then My whole family including I went for a vacation leaving a very expensive watch unlocked and on return I cannot find it. I asked her to look for it and she later admitted that she put it in my room for safe keeping after I was out of HK, but now cannot find it. On questioning her if anyone else came to our house in our absence she said that her sister came and some Aircon Maintenance people.Her sister according to her restricted herself to the kitchen and did not enter my bedroom. The Aircon people it seems were in my bedroom. On questioning the building management & the Aircon people, I came to know that no maintenance ppl came to my house since they will only come if I complain and if they do they will call me for an appointment.

I did not tell my helper about this and was thinking how to confront her when suddenly she said that she would not like to renew the contract and to release her that very day. Legally I cannot release her before Sept 18th, but then thought of confronting her and tell her with what I have learnt about the Aircon people so far. I also thought of giving her 3 options: a) to bring back my watch, b) or I would deduct the amt from her salary, c) tell her I will go to the police.


My question is that if I fire her, do I still have to give her 1 months pay, or should I wait till 18 Sept till her contract gets over?

I have been missing some small stuff too , but earlier thought it was just my carelessness.

Would appreciate any advice, don't know if I am accusing her falsely, but I don't have any other evidence.

Stealing is a crime ( if proven guilty) and a valid reason enough to let her go without notice.


Have she taken her annual leave? You can just let her go 14 days in advance to off-set such leave.

I already gave her an annual leave in May when we decided that we would renew the contract. Thanks for your suggestion though

Don't mention it, and I'm sorry about the missing item ( and breach of trust). It's embarrassing but we can't control how other helpers act.

Thanks beancurd, that really set me thinking..I will try the police thing