Terminating helper, can helper take her leave before I notify immigration

We are thinking about terminating our helper's contract next week. My spouse was made redundant last week, so it will be for financial reasons which I understand is a relatively good reason for termination for our helper in her future job search (as she doesn't have to go back home).


Since we are leaving for the holidays, we thought that we could terminate our helper before we leave and inform immigration of our decision after we return in January (ie dating the termination letter on the day we return, which is not too much of a stretch since our helper is entitled to her accrued annual leave). We figure this gives our helper two extra weeks to look for new employment while we are away, rather than only two weeks if we terminate her when we return. Is there any legal downside to doing this? We really don't know how our helper will react and would hate her to use this delayed notifcation against us.


Also, we would ask her to leave our home on the same day we notify her. How much extra should I give her to tide her over for the holidays? Are there boarding houses she can stay at in the Central area? How much would it cost if we wanted to help her with the costs?

i think it's not nice to say we are going on holiday tomorrow and oh by the way you're fired. she would need time to look for a boarding house etc etc and to pack her stuff.


just make sure you have everything in writing and you have all requirements like air ticket etc etc.


also an employer and his helper alike may terminate the contract prior to its expiry by giving not less than one month's notice in writing or by paying one month's wages to the other party.

I think you should terminate your helper before you go away and absolutely do not let her stay in your house while you are away. I know this may sound harsh but there are so many stories of helpers stealing. If she knows you are going to terminate her anyway she may help herself to some of your stuff while you are away. Or she could run up huge phone bills which would not be found till after she is gone (I had one helper do this).

You already have a tough situation, with your husband, don't make things worse by risking problems with helper as well. If your husband is at home she may have guessed he lost his job or find out somehow. As you say you don't know how she will react - so why take a risk.