Can I terminate my helper while she's on annual leave?

[bendou]

After my helper left for home, I discovered that she had taken a bunch of my stuff (jewellry I haven't worn in a long time). I would like to terminate her right away. Am I legally bound to wait for her to come back and terminate her face to face or can I terminate her when she's still on leave? Thanks in advance.

 

[AndreaSB]

Can't answer your question but, if she took your stuff she might not be planning to come back....

 

[AmyH]

I am unsure of the answer but I would suggest that you firstly call the police and file a report of the missing items, then call the labour department/immigration to get advice from them on the matter.

 

[TheQuasimother]

If you file a police report, you can actually terminate without notice as she has stolen from you. She can counter the argument and file a claim for that one month's salary in lieu, all you have to do is go the allocated appointment which the Labour Department will give you and pay. We had a helper who stole but we found out after the fact that we didn't need to pay her!

 

[TheQuasimother]

And oh, yes. You can terminate her while she is on leave. So long as she is not on medical leave or pregnant.