Acas have published formal advice for all employees returning from Spain after the sudden decision to reimpose quarantine. Employees returning from Spain should talk to their employer as soon as possible as they will not be able to leave their home for 14 days due to the government’s self-isolation advice. Unless staff are ill, they are unlikely to qualify for statutory sick pay although an employer could still offer to pay this if they wanted to. Bosses should be as sympathetic and understanding as possible towards staff who have found themselves in this situation. Working from home will be the best option if possible as it allows affected staff to continue working. Other options include allowing additional leave or furlough if the staff member has agreed to it previously. Employers could agree to a further period of furlough to cover the isolation period or a period of annual leave, unpaid leave or a mixture of the two. For further information, Acas direct employees to their advice on: self-isolating after returning to the UK and holiday and leave during coronavirus.
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