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.

Travel insurance will hopefully pay out

And if you dont have any then hopefully you've learned your lesson

”But I don't think people should just think it's ok that people lose money because of a decision taken out of their hands.”

I don’t think anyone thinks that is ok. But most people accept that is the reality. There will be a question about who it is that loses money when it comes to prebooked holidays. But it is simply not possible for no one to lose money.

I’d guess a lot will depend on the company. Even before lockdown, back in March, my employer started enforcing a 7 day quarantine if people had been abroad. They paid us for that. But that was their choice. They’re paying us if we currently have to self-isolate too. I think a lot of much of this depends on the company tbh.

OP wouldn’t be losing the money, though. OP would lose the holiday. The money is spent.

That doesn't mean it's ok though. I look at the money I've lost as money given away, not money spent. When I spend money, unless it's a charity donation, I expect something in return.

But pink, OP can choose to go. Its like me not going on holiday- I wont go now for various reasons not of my own making. But I could go, the flights are still running so I lose out. It's just how it is.

Planes likely will be flown half empty because a lot of people will choose not to go for a variety of reasons, least of all becoming ill themselves.

Your travel insurance is highly unlikely to cover you if you fall ill with Coronavirus if you travel because it was a known risk. Are you willing to take the risk of travelling ending up in hospital and then having a huge bill to pay?

As for your work/the government footing the bill for quarantine on return. This would also be known to you before travelling so no it wouldn’t be their responsibility.

I feel for you that it’s likely that you’ll miss out on a holiday and be out of pocket but unfortunately there are thousands and thousands in the same position. My only suggestion is transferring the holiday to next year if you can.

But I won't be swanning off on my holiday. I'll be going because I've been told it's safe to go and that's why they won't refund me.
I'll be off CIA when I return because the government has said I must stay isolated.

That's why I agree with what sorrel said ages ago. If we must isolate on return then they shouldn't leave us with decisions about whether to go or not. They should cancel as they are saying the risk of catching it abroad is high.

My concern isn't so much the going. It's the mixed messaging and lack of common sense over it.

And if I told my employer I was off for 3 days as having to isolate they'd have to accept it regardless of why I'm isolating. Eg family member with symptoms, track and trace isolation or being abroad.

Daisy no. The money is not spent. I had only paid a deposit when the travel restrictions started but we were told to continue paying or we would lose money. We were told we would be refunded if holidays were cancelled. Now we are being told different.

I respect some people have the opinion it's tough shit losing money. I respect some people are misguided and think I am rolling in it and that's why I can afford a holiday. Actually I don't drink, smoke or go out as my holiday is what I need. I do without throughout the year to afford it.
And no it's not money I've spent. It's money they've continued to take under what I believe is false pretences.

But this is all hypothetical anyway as by end of August the rules may have changed and FCo may say don't fly if uk are quarantining.

I was just asking if anyone knew what the actual situation would be?

Bumble I want to transfer it. That's the point. But I cannot.

because I had suspected CV. Diagnosed over phone no tests available. So I had 7 days sick and then 7 days further as ds had to isolate for 14 days and so he couldn't go to school. Ds is disabled so needed me to stay home with him. I WFH the second week but they only gave me small amounts as I was very lethargic for weeks.

So you were sick?

Why would the same rules apply if you have gone in holiday?

People are idiotic to travel until there is a vaccine. All the deaths and sacrifices people have made, the shit our economy is now in and the constant anxiety for our children will only be worth it if new cases are tiny. We don't need to throw it all away because someone chooses to fly to Spain for a bit of sun.

Unpaid leave, or 4 weeks annual leave. No one should pay for other people to enjoy a holiday they can't afford now because their job is precarious

”But I won't be swanning off on my holiday. I'll be going because I've been told it's safe to go and that's why they won't refund me.”

And you’ll be going in the full knowledge that doing so will involve taking some time off work.

”And if I told my employer I was off for 3 days as having to isolate they'd have to accept it regardless of why I'm isolating. Eg family member with symptoms, track and trace isolation or being abroad.”

Surely you realise there’s a significant difference between having to isolate because you or a family member have developed symptoms and choosing to go on a holiday that you know full well will require you to be off work?

Surely you get that??

Your employer does not “have to accept” you making a conscious choice to be absent from work in the same way they would “have to accept” it if you were told to isolate in a manner that could not be predicted or avoided.

OP
I understand what you're saying. We're in the same position. We never go abroad but decided to go with friends the last week in august. I would prefer to go next year as I just feel everyone needs to remain in their home country as far as possible until this has settled down. If quarantine is still in place, we would not be able to go as I work in a school and therefore cannot miss 14 days but it does feels unfair. In reality, we're being discouraged from travelling abroad (understandably so) but without things being officially cancelled we'll just have to accept the loss. I don't think our insurance will cover it as in theory it's our choice not to go. It's ok to acknowledge how disappointing that is and doesn't mean we don't care about what is happening for other people xxx

@SoloMummy. What an absolute pile of tripe! I work very hard and save very hard for my holidays. Don't compare my loss to a poorer earner having booked a 3 night caravan holiday to Skegness. I am certainly not a 'high earner' by any means.....i just happen to prioritise saving for a fantastic holiday over spending money on shit.

There's a huge difference in having to isolate through no fault of your own (i.e track and trace alert, family member ill etc), and putting yourself in a situation where you know you're going to have to take time off. I think it boils down to which you'd least like to lose, your holiday or (potentially) your job.

@Judiwench 'hopefully you will have learned your lesson'.

What lesson is that then????

@SoloMummyb In fact, your attitude stinks and you sound very jealous and bitter! I certainly can't afford the loss....like I say I work very hard to afford holidays having previously worked hard to bring up my children and pay my mortgage.

Have a word with yourself you jealous cretin!

But trapped the point I'm making is why should I have to make the choice? Either it's safe to travel abroad or it's not. If it's not safe then let me rebook. If it is safe then don't force me to make the choice of job or holiday and losing my well earned money to pay for it.

FWIW I agree with the quarantine. But I don't agree people should lose their holiday money because it's been imposed.

I actually don't think full refunds should be given here. I think this is a situation where you should have to re book because it's government imposed rather than the accepting company imposing it. But to say "tough shit" to all those who will lose money and their holiday just shows how ridiculous this country has got during the pandemic.

But this is moot anyway because we don't know a) I can travel abroad and b) the return quarantine will still exist.

My question was about sick pay with enforced quarantine and this time specifically about holidays you can't get refunds for. Because the media was giving loads of conflicting information.

Bye thanks footy for understanding. It seems mentioning a holiday makes you some kind of undeserving rich twat.
I don't buy coffee or lunch out. I don't have takeaways. I haven't had a night out in 13 years. I don't drink or smoke. I have a holiday.

Either it's safe to travel abroad or it's not. If it's not safe then let me rebook. If it is safe then don't force me to make the choice of job or holiday and losing my well earned money to pay for it.

Well if only it was that simple.

Thats like saying its eother safe to go back to work or not.

My employer decided it wasnt, so made massive changes so that it was safe. So now its a lot safer, as long as everyone does the extra things required.

Its not a case of safe or not. Its a case of mitigating risks.

Currently no one can say if travel abroad is safe, so they are putting in extra measures.

The advice when this started was that if you have only paid the deposit, you were edging your bets. There wasn't a good choice. Either cancel and lose the deposit. Or keep paying. If you keep paying either the holiday company would cancel and you would be able to move it or get a refund. Or you go, if they will take you.

But either way was a gamble. Because one knows whats going to happen.

OP ignore some of the posters here. Apparently wanting to take a holiday these days or not wanting to lose the money paid for it is a frivolous air-headed thing. I suspect there are a lot of people who don't like going abroad so this gives them the opportunity to belittle those who do want to.

@itsgettingweird No worries I'm the same. I work hard and do without treats to have holidays, experience other cultures and make memories.

No trevs that was NOT the advice I received from my holiday company.
It was they will continue to take instalments and would refund if your holiday was cancelled. I looked into cancelling happy to lost the small deposit I'd already paid. They wanted to charge me more than the next instalments to cancel.

They won't take the balance if holiday doesn't go ahead. This is 14 days before I'm due to travel.

They will refund all hotels etc costs but not flight costs until they receive this from the airline. My airline is currently taking 3-6 months for May cancellations. I accepted I would have to wait a long time. That's fair enough as this is unprecedented.

Now the advice hasn't changed but we are told you have to quarantine. We aren't being told if that's the case you get get a refund or re book. We don't know if we have to travel or not. I have made this clear and asked. We don't know if quarantine will still exist at end of August.

But to give advice and take money that people will now possibly lose, or their jobs or 2 weeks wages isn't in the spirit of protecting people's livelihoods as much as they can.

I won't deny I've been lucky to still have received 100% of my wage. But I've worked 100% of my job. That is separate.

I just wanted to know about sick lay and quarantine as it's enforced. And specifically in relation to it being after a holiday.

Footy. I know. People seem to forget people do go without for their holidays. Not everyone who goes abroad is rich. People prioritise. I prioritise a holiday as a lone parent to a child who has a neurological degenerative condition. Because I need 1 week where I am not a carer, employee and mum as well as all the housework etc.
I don't think it's unreasonable to be upset I may be forced to lose both the holiday and the money.
Plus I didn't actually ask or post in AIBU? I think people have ignored that!

Notrevsthat was NOT the advice I received from my holiday company.
It was they will continue to take instalments and would refund if your holiday was cancelled. I looked into cancelling happy to lost the small deposit I'd already paid. They wanted to charge me more than the next instalments to cancel.

I didnt say the advice from the holiday company. I said the advice. From the media and tavel experts (that you say were clear).

Of course the holiday company wanted you to keep paying.

The quarantine isn't anything to do with them.

Its not completely safe to travel. But safer with certain steps taken. Thats what happening.

Unfortunately, if you want to go, you need to sort out work. Extra annual leave or unpaid.

You arent sick. The government won't pay you too take 2 weeks off.

Its not the same as when you self isolated.

Maybe we can hope the government or employers will also cover mortages for people who are out of work, in July as well.

No one saw the huge change in circumstance. No one could have predicted what other countries would do.

You find gamble by keeping pay it.

Which company did you book with that charge more to cancel?