If staff go abroad and must self isolate afterwards, should that be extra annual leave or unpaid leave?

 

Answered by Tracy Green

This is based on the current government guidelines that may change over time and you do have some options here for you. Initially, it is worth exploring if they can work at home so they remain isolated but can continue to do work such as telephone calls – if the phone systems allow – summarising, chronic disease reviews for nursing teams and general administration. The other option is to request they take further annual leave or unpaid leave. You may wish to explore when the holiday abroad was booked and enforce additional annual leave if booked after the government guidelines were in place as they booked the holiday with that prior knowledge. Please also check your contracts of employment.