Hiring someone who is under another contract

Hello,


We found a helper recently and her previous employer has left the country, hence, no longer working for them. However, she still has her visa until mid-2012 through them. As we need to be covered by our insurance in the case of theft by a helper, we would need her to be employed by us officially.


First, is there a different process in hiring someone who is already employed? Second, if so, is it easier/harder? Please advise, thanks!

If her employer has left the country, they should have informed immigration, and the helper should be looking for a new contract. If the previous employers have not informed immigration, then this helper is in HK illegally, and if she is working part-time or even full time for somebody she is not contracted to she could be in a lot of trouble and so could her previous employers, the helper could face deportation.

Helpers are normally allowed to stay in Hk for two weeks when their contract has finished, then they should go home with the air fare paid by the previous employer if they have not had a new contract signed.

Also did you speak to the previous employers before they left, and get a preferably a verbal reference from them, as there are a few helpers who have left employers under bad circumstances, may have been fired, and often lie about why they are not working for previous employers, and some written references can not be worth the paper they are written on, as they can fabricate these too.

If you are a new employer to be, then be careful about checking anybody you intend to employ, if you find a good one- then fill in the forms from Imm, with a clause written in by you-- Subject to medical-- before you sign the final papers, this helps detect any illness's or pregnancy before taking them on, and getting insurance, because once you have a helper you are responsible for all their medical needs as well.

I would suggest if you phone immigration they will be able to advise on this particular one, giving any details you have of her, ie Visa number, previous contract number and previous employers name etc.

Susie1 - Thanks so much for the info. Fortunately, I've spoken to her previous employer and she seems to have only good things to say about this helper. Very good to know about the medical exam, thanks for that.