Terminating the employment with my helper

Either party will be able to terminate the contract by serving the notice period of 4 weeks

You have several ways to terminate your helper's employment.


1. The classical option: allowing her to transfer

This is the most common outcome. It is free for you and your helper. According to your employment contract, each party has a period of notice of 4 weeks to end the employment.

Once you inform your helper that you will end her employment, you can sign the consent to transfer https://wearecaring.com/consent to allow her to sign up at We Are Caring and start looking for her next employer.

  • You can indicate your preferred transfer date (taking into account the notice period) and share feedback with prospective employers.
  • If you are flexible in the transfer date, you can indicate it (for example, as soon as possible) so that she would be able to transfer before the end of the period of notice. For instance, if she finds an employer and can start her new job within two weeks, her salary would end on the transfer day.

During the notice period, her work permit needs to be kept live, and she will continue to work as usual for your family while receiving her salary accordingly.


2. What about transferring my helper's work permit to an agency?

 Alternatively, you could transfer your responsibilities to an agency, which would have 30 days to find a new employer for your helper and initiate a new work permit application.


Please note that this option incurs a fee of approximately $1599 (before GST) to cover your helper's lodging, food allowance, medical insurance, and potential flight ticket if she is unable to secure new employment.

***This is subject to the agency’s internal review of the helper’s employment history, lodging availability, and an in-person assessment of the helper’s level of motivation before the agency can confirm whether the takeover is possible. 


3.  Can I send the helper home instead?

Helpers consider sending them home as a form of punishment when they prefer to transfer. After all, it is tough for them to return to Singapore because it involves high costs and a long time.

Repatriating a helper involves a few steps:

  • Ensuring your helper has a valid passport

  • Purchase a direct flight ticket to the airport nearest to her hometown (Note: The employer is responsible for the cost of the air ticket, and it must include a minimum of 20kg check-in luggage - if transit is required, please discuss and provide a reasonable allowance for your helper to sustain herself during the transit

  • Pay her salary in lieu if no notice period was provided or to settle all outstanding salary payment 

  • Cancel her work permit online anytime between 0-14 days of the flight departure date and issue the special pass so that she can present it at the immigration

  • Bring her to the airport to ensure she checks in and gets on board

If the helper cannot transfer, it regularly creates tension, and repatriation can be a stressful moment for all.

If you require any advice, you may contact us to find out more.