{"id":11856,"date":"2023-04-25T06:04:29","date_gmt":"2023-04-24T22:04:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/preparing-the-end-of-your-helpers-contract-which-letters-you-should-or-have-to-write\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T12:36:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T04:36:16","slug":"preparing-the-end-of-your-helpers-contract-which-letters-you-should-or-have-to-write","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/preparing-the-end-of-your-helpers-contract-which-letters-you-should-or-have-to-write\/","title":{"rendered":"The Complete Guide to Domestic Helper Release, Termination, and Reference Letters"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>(Updated 14 February 2026)<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/preparing-the-end-of-your-helpers-contract-which-letters-you-should-or-have-to-write\/#Drafting_a_termination_letter_for_your_domestic_helper\" >Drafting a termination letter for your domestic helper<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/preparing-the-end-of-your-helpers-contract-which-letters-you-should-or-have-to-write\/#Terminating_dismissing_a_domestic_helper\" >Terminating (dismissing) a domestic helper<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/preparing-the-end-of-your-helpers-contract-which-letters-you-should-or-have-to-write\/#Breaking_contract_domestic_helper_resigns\" >Breaking contract (domestic helper resigns)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/preparing-the-end-of-your-helpers-contract-which-letters-you-should-or-have-to-write\/#Settle_the_outstanding_payments\" >Settle the outstanding payments<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/preparing-the-end-of-your-helpers-contract-which-letters-you-should-or-have-to-write\/#Drafting_a_domestic_helper_release_letter\" >Drafting a domestic helper release letter<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/preparing-the-end-of-your-helpers-contract-which-letters-you-should-or-have-to-write\/#Release_letter_for_domestic_helpers_in_Hong_Kong\" >Release letter for domestic helpers in Hong Kong<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/preparing-the-end-of-your-helpers-contract-which-letters-you-should-or-have-to-write\/#Release_letter_for_domestic_helpers_in_Singapore_and_the_Middle_East\" >Release letter for domestic helpers in Singapore and the Middle East<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/preparing-the-end-of-your-helpers-contract-which-letters-you-should-or-have-to-write\/#Drafting_a_reference_letter_for_the_domestic_helper\" >Drafting a reference letter for the domestic helper<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/preparing-the-end-of-your-helpers-contract-which-letters-you-should-or-have-to-write\/#Sample_reference_letter\" >Sample reference letter<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/preparing-the-end-of-your-helpers-contract-which-letters-you-should-or-have-to-write\/#You_might_also_be_interested_in\" >You might also be interested in:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>There are several cases which could lead to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper\/termination\">the end of your helper\u2019s contract<\/a>: either you or your domestic helper decided to terminate the contract ahead of time, or one of you decided not to renew it. Depending on the different cases, there are legal requirements and \u201cnice-to-have\u201d.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Drafting_a_termination_letter_for_your_domestic_helper\"><\/span>Drafting a termination letter for your domestic helper<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you or your\u00a0domestic helper\u00a0decided to terminate the contract ahead of time, you <strong>legally need to draw up a termination letter<\/strong> where you state the new date of ending her employment and the reason(s). If you or your domestic helper decided not to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper\/contract-renewal\">renew the employment contract<\/a>\u00a0after the 2-year period, you don\u2019t have to sign and send a termination letter but you may want to sign a release letter.<\/p>\n<p>In this letter, you have to include the number of your employment contract, the actual end date of the contract as well as all the final payments you gave to your domestic helper. You need to make a list to calculate the legal amounts you have to pay her. You can find here a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fdh.labour.gov.hk\/en\/publication.html#\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sample domestic helper termination letter<\/a>\u00a0for employers. In case of dispute, you can ask a third-party to be present when both of you sign the termination letter.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Terminating_dismissing_a_domestic_helper\"><\/span>Terminating (dismissing) a domestic helper<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>On the employer side in Hong Kong, the reasons stated can have different impacts:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>If you terminate your domestic helper because you relocate to another country, because you have financial issues or because of the death of a family member the domestic worker takes care of: in this case, your domestic helper will very likely to be treated as a \u201cfinished contract\u201d and does not have to go back to her home country before finding a new employer.<\/li>\n<li>If you terminate your domestic helper for other reasons (e.g. incompatibility of lifestyles, etc.) then your domestic worker has to go back to her home country before finding a new employer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Breaking_contract_domestic_helper_resigns\"><\/span>Breaking contract (domestic helper resigns)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If the domestic helper wants to break her contract, she can also state the reason in the letter but it is optional. Take a look at this\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fdh.labour.gov.hk\/en\/publication.html#\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sample termination letter for domestic helpers who are breaking their contract<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Settle_the_outstanding_payments\"><\/span>Settle the outstanding payments<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>We recommend to the employer that you ask your domestic helper to sign a \u201creceipt for final payments\u201d in which you have listed all the types of payments you gave her and their amount (annual leave, salaries\u2026).<\/p>\n<p>In Hong Kong, you have to inform the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.immd.gov.hk\/eng\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Immigration Department <\/a>of this change in employment <strong>within 7 days of the contract termination date<\/strong> \u2013 you can also notify it up to<strong> 4 weeks before<\/strong> the contract termination date.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/yoopies-cms2f6f4d6946-4975-45b1-a878-ab7f0f033981-shutterstock-272956238-min.jpg\" alt=\"Domestic Helper Release (Termination) Letter and Reference Letter | HelperChoice | An Ethical Maid Agency In Hong Kong\" \/>\n<figcaption>Domestic Helper Release (Termination) Letter and Reference Letter | HelperChoice | An Ethical Maid Agency In Hong Kong<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Drafting_a_domestic_helper_release_letter\"><\/span>Drafting a domestic helper release letter<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A<strong> release letter<\/strong>, also known as an \u201c<strong>acknowledgement letter<\/strong>\u201d, is a letter stating the end date of the employment and that you and your domestic helper have nothing outstanding, including annual leave, salaries, miscellaneous amounts, her air ticket home (or cash equivalent) etc.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Release_letter_for_domestic_helpers_in_Hong_Kong\"><\/span>Release letter for domestic helpers in Hong Kong<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>In Hong Kong, signing a release letter is not a legal requirement<\/strong> for employers and domestic helpers not renewing the 2-year contract. However, the domestic helper is required to present a release letter for new visa application if she works for a new employer. It is also good for the domestic helper to proof that she finishes her contract with you.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes the \u201crelease letter\u201d in Hong Kong can be used as a synonym for the \u201ctermination letter\u201d in case of terminated or broken contract.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Release_letter_for_domestic_helpers_in_Singapore_and_the_Middle_East\"><\/span>Release letter for domestic helpers in Singapore and the Middle East<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Contrary to Hong Kong, <strong>domestic helpers Singapore or Middle Eastern countries are required to obtain a release letter if they want to get a new employer. <\/strong>In Singapore, the release letter is also called <strong>\u201cconsent to transfer a domestic worker\u201d<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/59c17416-923e-4368-8ffc-76fb011fa16b-referenceletter.jpg\" alt=\"Release Letter For Domestic Helper | HelperChoice | An Ethical And Fair Employment Agency In Hong Kong\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>Release Letter For Domestic Helper | HelperChoice | An Ethical And Fair Employment Agency In Hong Kong<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Drafting_a_reference_letter_for_the_domestic_helper\"><\/span>Drafting a reference letter for the domestic helper<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>You know how difficult it is to find a good domestic helper as you have hired one so if you think that your helper would be a good fit for a new family, we encourage you to write a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/the-importance-of-domestic-helper-recommendations-unravelled\">reference letter for the domestic helper<\/a>. This letter can play an essential role to <strong>help your domestic worker find a new family easily<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>In your reference letter, it is important to highlight your domestic helper\u2019s qualities and how good she is performing some specific tasks. A reference letter may contain detailed information about the duties of your domestic helper so that her next potential employers can get to read about the various working abilities of the domestic worker such as cooking, washing, skills for children care etc.<\/p>\n<p>On\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/\">HelperChoice<\/a>, helpers can sign up for free online to find a new employer and <strong>directly ask for a reference for their previous employment experiences <\/strong>so that every employer looking for a helper can see which skills have been appreciated.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sample_reference_letter\"><\/span>Sample reference letter<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You can find below some examples of reference domestic helpers on HelperChoice received and to get inspired.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Sample wrote by Louisa:<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cRacquel is honest, hardworking and reliable. She speaks good English, has a cheerful, kind disposition and will ask questions if she isn\u2019t sure of my instructions. She has done a great job looking after me, my two dogs and cat over the last 10 months. My company is unexpectedly relocating me back to the UK, which unfortunately means Racquel is looking for another job. Racquel can cook the recipes I provide and is good at following all my dietary requirements. She can be trusted with grocery shopping and running errands and keeps my flat clean. She walks the dogs every day, takes my pets to the vet when needed and follows the vet\u2019s instructions with medication. I travel a lot for work so it is important for me to have a helper I can rely on and trust when I\u2019m away, I know I can count on Racquel and I would not hesitate to recommend her to any new employer. I am happy to be contacted by email or phone for further references.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Sample wrote by Jose:<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cArcelia is the best helper any family would dream of. She is an outstanding person, trustworthy, family-oriented, polite, amazing with kids and really an amazing soul. We love her as a member of our family. She worked for us for more than 10 years and we really wish to have her back working for us in the near future. Please do not hesitate to contact us in case of any need.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Sample wrote by Raine:<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cJuvelyn started working as a domestic worker at my home in late August of 2014. She is valuable to me not only where household chores are concerned but with my child too. Due to her continuous efforts, my house always remained clean, clothes were neatly hung, ironed or folded and my baby is well fed. There is no praise bigger than this. Juvelyn has lived with my family since 2014 and had never given me any chance to object to her behaviour. Once again, I recommend her for any position that involves household chores. If there is anything that you would like to discuss with me about Juvelyn\u2019s work record, I can be reached. I wish her best of luck in her future endeavours.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"You_might_also_be_interested_in\"><\/span><strong>You might also be interested in:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper\/termination\">Domestic Helper Contract Termination<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/the-importance-of-domestic-helper-recommendations-unravelled\">Importance of Domestic Helper Reference Letter<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper\/severance-payment-long-service-payment\">Long Service Payment and Severance Payment for Domestic Helper<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper\/helper-wanted\">Hire A Helper On HelperChoice Platform<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\">Find a domestic helper now! \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>(Updated 14 February 2026) There are several cases which could lead to the end of your helper\u2019s contract: either you or your domestic helper decided to terminate the contract ahead of time, or one of you decided not to renew it. Depending on the different cases, there are legal requirements and \u201cnice-to-have\u201d. Drafting a termination [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":11859,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"slim_seo":{"description":"Navigating the end of a contract? Learn the differences between a domestic helper release letter, termination letter, and reference letter with HelperChoice.","title":"The Complete Guide to Domestic Helper Release, Termination, and Reference Letters - HelperChoice Blog"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[184,105],"tags":[128],"class_list":["post-11856","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rights-regulation","category-you-and-helper","tag-employment-contract"],"blocksy_meta":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/13743ffd12e50de84d2b651de8f3d8a1a7b2647a-domestic-helper-paperwork-processing-hiring-cost.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11856","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/53"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11856"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11856\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15376,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11856\/revisions\/15376"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11859"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11856"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11856"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11856"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}