Speaker(s)

• Mr Victor Ng, Partner, Oldham, Li & Nie
• Ms Barbara Kwong, Senior Associate, Oldham, Li & Nie
• Ms Pooja Shukla FCG HKFCG, Senior Lecturer, Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration, Hong Kong Metropolitan University (Panellist)
• Ms Patricia Hui FCG HKFCG(PE) (Chair)

Description

This seminar aims to equip small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Hong Kong with essential knowledge about employment or HR, focusing on the complexities from hiring to termination. Given the lack of dedicated HR personnel in many SMEs, governance professionals and compliance officers often find themselves responsible for understanding and dealing with employment or HR issues. Two experienced lawyers will lead the session, providing an overview of current laws, common pitfalls, and best practices in the key areas.

To conclude the seminar, two governance professionals will join a panel discussion addressing unlawful dismissal by employers in Hong Kong and some other HR issues from the perspectives of employers and employees.

1. Basics of Hong Kong employment law

1. Common law rules and legislations that govern employer-employee relationship
2. Forum of handling labour disputes in Hong Kong

2. Employees’ entitlement during the employment

1. Wages
2. Statutory holidays and leaves

3. Employers’ continuous obligations

1. Brief overview of the four discrimination ordinances in Hong Kong (sex, family status, disability and race)
2. Health and safety regulations
3. Employees’ data privacy and confidentiality

4. Termination of employment

1. Notice period and payment in lieu of notice
2. Summary dismissal – case law situations whereby an employer or an employee may terminate a contract of service without notice or payment in lieu of notice
3. Terminal payments
   1. Usual heads of terminal payments (in case of termination by way of notice or summary dismissal)
   2. Severance payment and long service payment
   3. Abolition of MPF offsetting arrangement
4. Meaning of unlawful and unreasonable dismissal

(Recorded in January 2025)

Level: Intermediate

Bios of Speakers, Panellist and Chair:
Mr Victor Ng
Ms Barbara Kwong
Ms Pooja Shukla
Ms Patricia Hui