If your staff decide to take annual leave and go to a country where they are required to quarantine when they return, do you know how to handle this situation?
Most employers we are supporting are actively encouraging their staff to take holidays in the UK rather than flying to their destination. This is because they know that an employee being off work for the annual leave period and then for 10-14 days of quarantine could be detrimental to their business.
What if an employee has already booked the holiday and you have approved it?
If an employee has booked a holiday, where they are required to quarantine once returning, we’d recommend encouraging them not to take the holiday and perhaps postponing it. If they decide to take still go abroad, you would want to advise them that they are required to stay fully quarantined and not return to the workplace. They are to update themselves with the government guidance for quarantine.
Can they work from home during quarantine?
It is possible employees can quarnatine and work from home, but they cannot attend work. Therefore you may want to look at applying fairness. Is it fair that some can work from home and not others.
What do you have to pay for?
You are still required to pay for the annual leave period. However, you are not required to pay for the quarantine period.
What if the annual leave plus the additional days quarantine aren’t practical for your business
If the amount of days that the individual is taking off is going to hinder your business, then we would recommend explaining this to the employee and trying to reach a negotiation. We would not recommend bringing their employment to an end if they continue with their holiday and guarantine period as it is disruptive to the business. Now is the time you would be looking at your approach towards your staff, would you really want to be seen penalising employees when they are adhering to the law?
Can you cancel approved annual leave?
it is recommended a conversation takes place between yourself and your employee if you wish for them to cancel their plans. If they are going to have costs incurred, you may want to consider compensating them.
GREGGS
The CEO of Greggs Bakery stated that he too is not going to authorise pay for quarantine periods. Check out the full article here: https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.mirror.co.uk/travel/news/greggs-wont-pay-staff-forced-22433741.amp
If you would like further advise regarding this matter or any other matter around furlough and returning employees to work, please contact our HR experts: 0843 1760266 / hello@specialisedhr.co.uk.
www.specialisedhr.co.uk