How do I terminate my household helper?

If you need to terminate the employment of your domestic help, as an employer in Austria who pays them through "Dienstleistungsschecks", it is important to follow the proper steps to ensure compliance with Austrian law and maintain a positive relationship with your employee. Here are the steps you should take:

1. Provide your employee with a written notice of termination with an appropriate notice period according to Austrian law and the terms of the employment contract. If the employee is still in the probationary period, the notice period is two weeks. If the employee has been employed for more than one month, the notice period is four weeks.
2. In the written notice of termination, indicate the reasons for the termination, such as poor performance, misconduct, or dismissal.
3. Pay your employee for all "Dienstleistungsschecks" that they are entitled to. These pre-paid vouchers are used for household services and must be issued by employers to their employees.
4. Request that your employee return any keys or materials provided by you before their last day of work.

By following these steps, you can demonstrate that you value the contributions of your domestic help and respect their rights as an employee. A professional handling of the termination process can help maintain a positive relationship with your employee and avoid potential legal issues.