2010-NewDad
Registered User
While I think it is completely unacceptable to request or hold your helpers passport, I am curious as to why you think it is illegal? Which law is being broken?
What to write as reference for helper we are firing
- Thread starter peainpod
- Start date
While I think it is completely unacceptable to request or hold your helpers passport, I am curious as to why you think it is illegal? Which law is being broken?
Aren't there laws to deal with harassment of any kind? Is firing always the answer? Again, I wouldn't like it but if my helper was marvelous and got herself into trouble I would probably rather deal with it that way. It's the right and choice of the employer, of course. Harassment is illegal even in the case of someone making poor financial choices. If someone showed up at my place of employment or home to harass me about someone else's debts I would immediately call the police.
Thanka2, clearly you have never had this happen to you. It's all nice in theory to involve law enforcement but you are at the bottom of the police's to do list. When the thugs show up at your home you are lucky if they show up 2 hours later, that is if they show up at all. You'll get more help from your own management office.
In terms of the police doing somethings about the harassing phone calls and mail, again they drag their feet, and usually tell you to sort it out with the debt collectors themselves. This is real life. all the while you are wasting your time calling the police ect, you and your family are getting harassed, especially your terrified children. This can drag on for weeks to months. The most effective method of getting rid of these thugs is to show them a termination letter and usually they will confirm with the management downstairs that the said person no longer lives at your place after coming round a few more times.
I think its fair enough if you want to get yourself into trouble, and even if you want to get your own wife/husband/children into trouble with debt collectors but to force others to endure this for your own folly is incorrect.
That said, I'm all for free will. If as an employer you're willing to tough it out with these people for your helper, than my hat off to you, but I don't think its fair to pass these helpers onto a new employer.
btw I don't think your helper falls into the usual category. She obviously paid off her debts otherwise you would have known about it.
Thanka2, clearly you have never had this happen to you. It's all nice in theory to involve law enforcement but you are at the bottom of the police's to do list. When the thugs show up at your home you are lucky if they show up 2 hours later, that is if they show up at all. You'll get more help from your own management office.
In terms of the police doing somethings about the harassing phone calls and mail, again they drag their feet, and usually tell you to sort it out with the debt collectors themselves. This is real life. all the while you are wasting your time calling the police ect, you and your family are getting harassed, especially your terrified children. This can drag on for weeks to months. The most effective method of getting rid of these thugs is to show them a termination letter and usually they will confirm with the management downstairs that the said person no longer lives at your place after coming round a few more times.
I think its fair enough if you want to get yourself into trouble, and even if you want to get your own wife/husband/children into trouble with debt collectors but to force others to endure this for your own folly is incorrect.
That said, I'm all for free will. If as an employer you're willing to tough it out with these people for your helper, than my hat off to you, but I don't think its fair to pass these helpers onto a new employer.
btw I don't think your helper falls into the usual category. She obviously paid off her debts otherwise you would have known about it.
OP you could also pass the helper's address in the Phillipines or Indonesia to the debt collectors and that way get them off your back especially if they don't let up after you have fired her. This will probably teach her to stop doing this to other employers if it is a pattern/habit that she has formed.
Unfortunately, I have very little sympathy for this sort of scenario having been through this with my in laws. It is an awful awful time, and peainapod, I totally know what you are going through. Know that the problem will go away but (I hope) that you may be able to stop her doing this to some other poor unsuspecting employer.
Unfortunately, I have very little sympathy for this sort of scenario having been through this with my in laws. It is an awful awful time, and peainapod, I totally know what you are going through. Know that the problem will go away but (I hope) that you may be able to stop her doing this to some other poor unsuspecting employer.
2010-NewDad
Registered User
Sorry, I think you are wrong. Morally reprehensible yes, illegal no.
howardcoombs
Registered User
pls do a few google searches : illegal withheld passports
and this one : Retaining workers' passports illegal
You will find many links to newspapers, embassies, lawyers etc etc etc...
And here is a decent FAQ with good pointers and summary : http://www.dubaifaqs.com/passport-keeping-employer-uae.php
Hi peainapod
I don't mean to imply that your wonderful helper would necessary turn into a taker given her predicament.
But it's just to err on the safe side. Though I've never experienced any bad experiences personally and my perception comes from only stories that I've heard, it wouldnt be helpful to your family to have to deal with more stress upon discovering missing items in your home.
And yes, I do have a mini safe at home. It is also to prevent burglary break ins
I don't mean to imply that your wonderful helper would necessary turn into a taker given her predicament.
But it's just to err on the safe side. Though I've never experienced any bad experiences personally and my perception comes from only stories that I've heard, it wouldnt be helpful to your family to have to deal with more stress upon discovering missing items in your home.
And yes, I do have a mini safe at home. It is also to prevent burglary break ins
shwetakhanna
Registered User
Carang is right. It is illegal to have someone else's passport in your custody.
Most passports have a declaration on the last page stating that THE PASSPORT SHOULD BE IN THE CuSTODY OF THE HOLDER OR A PERSON AUTHORISED BY THE HOLDER.
So if you don't have an authorisation from your helper, it is illegal to hold her passport.
Most passports have a declaration on the last page stating that THE PASSPORT SHOULD BE IN THE CuSTODY OF THE HOLDER OR A PERSON AUTHORISED BY THE HOLDER.
So if you don't have an authorisation from your helper, it is illegal to hold her passport.
Thanks Giginium. Actually we are seriously thinking of buying a small safe as well.
Mummymoo, you are very right that the pressure is mounting. Today one of the debtors slipped an envelope under our door while we were out. I guess this is to show us they were "here". It is unsettling to say the least. It's the first time we've experienced anything like this so hearing of your previous experience helps.
Mummymoo, you are very right that the pressure is mounting. Today one of the debtors slipped an envelope under our door while we were out. I guess this is to show us they were "here". It is unsettling to say the least. It's the first time we've experienced anything like this so hearing of your previous experience helps.
2010-NewDad
Registered User
Any act to take any property without authorization from the owner is illegal. You can't take your helpers camera unless she agrees, nor can you take her clothes, nor her passport. If she agrees, then it doesn't look illegal to me.
I have seen nothing to state it is illegal to request and receive your helpers passport. Obviously taking it without consent is just as much of a crime as taking other property than doesn't belong to you.
Once again, I should state I don't believe it is right, or acceptable to keep your FDHs passport - however I don't think it is illegal. Obviously if you take it without her consent that is a different story.