Need to quarantine , employer enforcing holidays!

Tedburgundy

Hi all, after some advise on where I stand on this one.  I found myself stuck in Greece in March up to now due to the pandemic, I have been furloughed from my employer but they have topped my wage up which I commend them for doing so.  I’m due to return home to the UK on Friday and have to quarantine at home for the required 14 days.  I have just received notification that my employer is forcing me to take some of my annual leave to cover me having to quarantine, something which I’m a bit perplexed by as I’m currently furloughed.  I understand the situation isn’t ideal for anyone, especially one as unique as this.  So my real question is can they do this?

Thanks

suki1964

Yes, perfectly legal

poppy12345

You say "just received notification" your employer must give you twice the amount of notice, if they want you to use annual leave. This means for 14 days, they must have given you 28 days notice.

Jeremy535897

poppy12345 said:

You say "just received notification" your employer must give you twice the amount of notice, if they want you to use annual leave. This means for 14 days, they must have given you 28 days notice.

Assuming your contract of employment doesn't override this.

Tedburgundy

They told me this morning, stating I would be getting a letter in the post when I return. I think I need to look at my contract.

[Deleted User]

To be fair to your employer you are lucky that they have furloughed you, a requirement of furlough is that you "keep yourself available for work", which is something you have not been doing if you have been in Greece all this time, they could have quite easily placed you on unpaid leave, certainly not topped you up and probably even have fired you as you would have been able to get back from Greece long before now. 

Tedburgundy

I was waiting for the negative post to pop up, you have no idea about my circumstances.  I went on holiday before this all started and got stuck when air travel was banned across Europe.  I contacted the foreign office who told me to stay put , especially as I have a 7 month old child.  My entire department have been furloughed and only recently returned so don’t make assumptions about being ‘fired’. Why do people like you even bother posting! Only after some advice.

JGB1955

You will be entitled to 100% pay for any of the time that you are on annual leave, rather than the 80% furlough pay.

Jonesy1977

Tedburgundy said:

Hi all, after some advise on where I stand on this one.  I found myself stuck in Greece in March up to now due to the pandemic, I have been furloughed from my employer but they have topped my wage up which I commend them for doing so.  I’m due to return home to the UK on Friday and have to quarantine at home for the required 14 days.  I have just received notification that my employer is forcing me to take some of my annual leave to cover me having to quarantine, something which I’m a bit perplexed by as I’m currently furloughed.  I understand the situation isn’t ideal for anyone, especially one as unique as this.  So my real question is can they do this?

Thanks

Your employer is not forcing you to take annual leave. They have the absolute right to (with notice) ask you to take the holiday, if they have not given you the correct amount of notice then you should take this up with them . I would personally be grateful to my employer and get prepared to get stuck in to help them and your colleagues on your return to work, not worry about your next holiday.

[Deleted User]

Tedburgundy said:

I was waiting for the negative post to pop up, you have no idea about my circumstances.  I went on holiday before this all started and got stuck when air travel was banned across Europe.  I contacted the foreign office who told me to stay put , especially as I have a 7 month old child.  My entire department have been furloughed and only recently returned so don’t make assumptions about being ‘fired’. Why do people like you even bother posting! Only after some advice.

My point is that you are complaining that they are making you take two weeks holiday, when you in fact have been paid for months when they did not have to pay you, it would be good to have some perspective. 
Companies might have furloughed people, but they are also looking to cut costs, even more so going forward. Giving them a get out of jail free card to dismiss you is not a wise move under any circumstances, but even more so with the current and expected future state of the jobs market. 
It is reflective that you went on holiday during the beginning of the pandemic, chose not to return when advised, now claim that "air travel was banned across Europe", which it was not. Repatriation flights have were always taking place even when commercial flights were not and commercial flights only stopped for a few days within the EU.
The point is it is two weeks holiday you are being required to use, alternatively they can put you on unpaid leave, they have furloughed you even though you were not compliant with the scheme and on top of that they have topped up your income, yet you resent them asking you to use some annual leave, it seems you have a complete lack of perspective. 

Tedburgundy

Yeah I understand, it’s more the fact that they have just sprung it on me when they no I have to isolate when I return.  I had a letter saying my holidays would still accrue whilst being furloughed also, pretty pointless if they are making me use them to isolate.