Work imposing a quarantine after a UK break

[DipSwimSwoosh]

My dh has been furloughed until now. He goes back to work on Monday, but had holiday booked in the UK for the following week.
We had planned to visit my family whonwe haven't seen since Christmas, so were pleased they let him keep the week off.
Now they are saying that as we are leaving the county, he must book the following week as holiday too, 'to be on the safe side'.
This doesn't make sense, does it? The region we're going to may have fewer cases than is, we shouldn't have to report our whereabouts, and does this mean we can't ever go away for the weekend?
In theory, with another forced week off, we could stay away longer. We won't, but how would they know?
And anyway, a 7 day quarantine wouldn't be enough, would it?

[DipSwimSwoosh]

And surely you could get a test, get a negative result, and be back at work in a few days?

[Lweji]

The test could be negative on return and become positive the next day.

Unless he is in contact with known or suspected cases, quarantine is ridiculous.
There's community transmission and he could be infected anywhere, including during a weekend break.
IMO such practices by employers should be illegal.
Instead they should provide adequate distancing and PPE at the place of work.

[kissmysass]

Regardless of the other points, no, getting a negative test doesn't stop the need to quarantine (if quarantine was actually needed). You would still technically have a 14 day incubation period, and you could test negative on day 4 but test positive on day 10 once the virus has incubated. This is why its a 14 day quarantine from Spain etc, a negative test doesn't mean you get to stop quarantine.

His work can force him to use more annual leave if they want to, they just have to give twice the notice. So two weeks notice to tell him to use a weeks holiday.

[DipSwimSwoosh]

I think it is so that all his holiday is used up and he can't have any later in the year. But he has just said that in that case he will just have to tell them he's been away again and get another week off, unpaid if necessary!

[DipSwimSwoosh]

I didn't realise that about a negative result. Or a forced holiday. So they are within their rights, but the reasoning is wrong.
They'd already cut his holiday allowance due to furlough, which I agreed with as furlough was so long. But now he will have none at all until 2021. Not the end of the world, I just didn't understand the reasoning they gave.

[Bombergirl]

It seems a bit extreme to me. Do they monitor what other workers do in their free time and impose quarantines accordingly.

And no 7 days wouldn’t be enough.

I live a mile from the county border, many people live one side and work the other and such a policy would cause chaos here.

[kissmysass]

A company can dictate when an employee uses all of their annual leave if they wanted to, they just need to give appropriate notice.

[Blackbear19]

Just don't tell them hes leaving the county. How could they find out otherwise?

[user1493413286]

How strange; I don’t know how they can enforce that. I wouldn’t tell them I was going away

[Kaykay066]

That’s total nonsense you’re allowed to holiday in the U.K. there’s no rules on quarantine so they are taking the piss tbh I’d go for longer I were you and enjoy your hols

[DipSwimSwoosh]

Thanks for all the replies. I thought it was nonsense!
But realistically we aren't going to complain. They now know we are away, and tbh it's not terrible timing as we have no childcare for the first 3 weeks of term when my dd has that annoying part time start to reception. We have to be back for the start of term anyway, for the rest of the family, so he will be at home with dd.

[HoneyBee03]

This is bizarre. The fact that they've asked for only 7 days quarantine makes it a bit pointless, and it's just odd that they expect him to not be in work for that week because he's been on holiday in the UK. I'd just extend my holiday if my employer made me do that! Is there anyone at his office who commutes from a different county?

[Velvian]

I would reply to say that he does not agree to use his A/L for that purpose. There is nothing in official guidance to suggest this is necessary. Push back as much as possible, it sounds like they haven't given much notice. They can suggest an alternative where he doesn't lose pay or A/L.

[Lweji]

Just cancel the trip. Officially.

[msbevvy]

I don't think they can cut his holiday allowance due to furlough. Indeed the government have brought in special legislation for people to carry over leave for up to 2 years.

www.gov.uk/guidance/holiday-entitlement-and-pay-during-coronavirus-covid-19

[ifonly4]

The only two reasonable reasons it would be reasonable to apply is if you're going to an area with much higher case numbers or perhaps over a border from day England to Wales where there are different restrictions.

[kissmysass]

If its for the week beginning the 31st, in response to a pp, yes they have given enough notice. For one weeks annual leave they have to give two weeks notice.
You can push back and say you won't be quaratining, but if they want you to take annual leave they are within their rights.

[DipSwimSwoosh]

Thanks for the comments and link. I had a quick look at the link. Very confusing! It turns out that one of his colleagues is already questioning it all, so we'll see how it pans out.