Will those having to quarantine for 14 days be paid sick pay?

[itsgettingweird]

I know many companies have been able to pay sick or use sickness policy during lockdown for isolating staff.

But what happens if it's forced quarantine after flying into the country?

For example. I have got a holiday booked the end of August. I have - ever since this was declared a global pandemic - expected not to go.
I have continued to pay instalments as I can't cancel without losing money. Balance is due 2 weeks before I fly.
Short and long of it is payment so far covers flights and I'm aware it'll take up to 8 months for that to come back and I've accepted it. I knew balance wouldn't be taken as they make decisions weeks in advance.

However now it's very unclear what will happen 3 months from now. It's unclear how long quarantines will last for country entry across Europe and who will release quarantine when.

So my question is does anyone know what happens if your holiday goes ahead but you must still quarantine on return to the UK?

Will you then be issued a not fit to work certificate because this is enforced rather than illness?

I'm also wondering if it's not just easier for countries to agree that holidays won't happen and refunds can be given if they still think returning requires quarantine if the receiving country isn't enforcing it and you go.

I also wondered if anyone has any information beyond what tabloids have printed (!) with regards information such as some airlines flying the routes with empty planes because it then means they don't have to issue refunds. Apparently fuel is 45% of costs and so they still make a profit and even more so as they don't need a full cabin staff and baggage staff etc.

I know I am extremely fortunate to have been able to have booked a summer holiday abroad. And I have all along said I'd rebook with same airline and travel company if they are fair with refunds. I actually planned to book a more expensive trip as would have a further year to pay the extra.

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

Of course they won't, unless you're actually ill. You've chosen to put yourself in that position, why should they pay you not to work?

[chipsandpeas]

i wouldnt think so as its your choice to leave and come back to the country knowing you will need to quarantine - plus your not sick

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

Of course not. We're hoping to go abroad next year and I'm aware that if quarantining is still in place I'll either have to take extra holiday or work from home.

[MuthaClucker]

The company I work for is one of the most generous and progressive out there, but I don’t think they’d pay for this.

[flowery]

It’s not enforced. No one will force you to leave the country. You are aware that if you choose to do so you’ll need an additional two weeks off work, so you’ll need to ask your employer whether they will allow this, either through additional annual leave or unpaid leave.

[itsgettingweird]

But that's the point. If the holiday runs because people can enter other countries then you loose your money because you have to quarantine on return.

I think the government needs to step in here. If quarantine is necessary on return then refunds should be given and holidays cancelled regardless of if you can travel to the other country or not.

Or roll out the antibody testing. I was diagnosed with suspected CV middle of March. Still really unwell when lockdown happened. I came out of isolation into isolation!

I didn't expect to go on holiday. But I also didn't expect to lose my money for a holiday I couldn't take.

[unchienandalusia]

No for gods sake neither your employer or the taxpayer should pay for you to go into quarantine when travel was your choice.

[TakemetoGreeceplease]

I've been wondering this, not in the context of holidays though, I absolutely wouldn't expect to be paid for something that is a personal choice. However if track and trace is rolled out and people are told to self isolate , potentially on numerous occasions how on earth will that work. No way will most people be able to take unpaid time off work repeatedly.

[SorrelBlackbeak]

If quarantine is still around by the end of August the government should keep the foreign office guidance which currently advises against all travel and confirm that it will apply for the whole summer.

It should be the case that if you cannot travel because of the quarantine that is a legitimate reason to change the holiday or have a refund credit, or be able to claim the cost from travel insurance. It shouldn't be left to individuals and individual holiday companies to sort it out themselves.

[LaurieFairyCake]

This is another way in which travel will only become for the very well off

[FindMy]

Wow. I’m concerned that you’re even asking this.

[bluetongue]

When forced quarantine started in Australia I think the arrangement for my department was that if you were already on holiday when the quarantine was brought in you could access two weeks ‘Covid leave’. Otherwise you would have to use normal holiday leave.

One woman from my office had people drop work at her house so she could work from home.

Nobody from Australia is going to be able to travel abroad for the foreseeable future (apart from maybe New Zealand) and I think this is going to be the same for those in the UK.

[ShootsFruitAndLeaves]

This is one of the daftest posts I have seen on here, and that's saying a lot.

yes, if your work forces you abroad then you should be paid during your quarantine period.

No, if you take a holiday to a foreign country, then you will not get paid to do nothing for 2 weeks. This is true regardless of when you booked.

Coronavirus is causing trillions of global financial losses. Some of them rightfully belong with those who have spare cash to go on holiday.

If you can't afford the quarantine,don't go.

Simple

[matchboxtwentyunwell]

Not your employer's problem, I imagine. You'll have to take those 2 weeks off as well out of your personal allowance OR ask if you can work at home for those 2 weeks.

[Cookiecrisps]

I’m probably derailing the thread s bit but I would like to know what happens with sick pay if with the wider schools reopening someone in my child’s bubble at school has a positive Coronavirus test. We have been told that the rest of the children and adults in that bubble and their entire household will need to isolate for 14 days even if they themselves have a negative test. How does this work with sick pay?

[Cornettoninja]

I agree the government needs to step in here.

Holidays for leisure.. not so much I’m afraid but quarantine based on their policies domestically definitely. I think they underestimate the pressure some employers will put on their staff to remain employed.

[ooooohbetty]

We've been thinking about this to OP. Quite happy for the holiday to be cancelled by the tour operator and get a credit note. But if the don't cancel and we can't take the holiday because of the quarantine I'll be well pissed off at losing the money. Not expecting govt or employer to pick up bill for sick pay btw.

[trappedsincesundaymorn]

If you knowingly take a holiday that means you have to quarantine for 2 weeks when you get back, then why should you get paid for it? If you don't have enough annual leave to account for it then don't take the holiday.

[Bluntness100]

Struggling to believe you’re asking for real. You deliberately kept paying your instalments adding to the money you could lose, and if you need to quarantine it’s due to a personal choice to go

You need to speak to your employer and explain you will be off not just for the holiday but likely two weeks unpaid leave after it. For your sake I hope the country you’re going to isn’t also quarantining.

[SorrelBlackbeak]

@trappedsincesundaymorn that's fine, but in that case travel insurance should be paying out for people who booked a holiday pre-covid and now cannot go because of quarantine.

At the moment, few policies are paying out at all and holiday companies are saying that if you cancel (including because you can't take the time to quarantine afterwards) you are choosing not to go on the holiday and have to pay the whole balance (no refund) for a holiday you can't take.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

I would hope employers allow employees who can work from home to do so. They are happy to allow it now so surely it wouldn't matter after a 2 week holiday.

[itsgettingweird]

Why find? I'm wondering if it's true flights are running empty to avoid refunding people and if a receiving country is open you won't get a refund because we are quarantining.

I work damn hard all year round as a LP and raising a child with a disability. I save really hard and go without things myself as a weeks holiday where I don't have to wash up or clean makes such a difference to my MH.

I'm allowed to be concerned I can't go and won't get my money back.

I agree with above poster who said if uk quarantine still exists then FCO should be advising against travel.

And as shit as the travel industry is right now it's not going to recover if it refuses refunds via loopholes.
Of our economy is to recover as a whole then people need to a) have the money to respond on services they can get and b) have the faith in those services they want to spend their money.

[Insideallday]

Of course not.

[itsgettingweird]

Sorrel thankyou it was you I quoted but couldn't remember your name. I agree with you.

[daisypond]

Of course not. If you have a week holiday abroad, you need to book leave from your work for a further two weeks in order for you quarantine yourself at home.