No self isolation required but employer saying must not work and with no pay.

Grumpy_chap

Everyone currently returning from Spain needs 14day quarantine on return.
What do you mean by "self isolate"?

Restitch

There was never a rule that healthcare professionals were exempt, I am one myself and it was very clear from when Spain was removed from the exemption list that anyone returning from a holiday there had to quarantine.  We were told directly in an email that if we holidayed there we would have to take unpaid leave on our return. 

daaff

Sorry if I didn't explain correctly.
She doesn't need to quarantine(/self isolate) for 14 days - she was exempt from quarantining - yet now her work has told her not to work even though she can.
Hope that makes sense?

Restitch said:

There was never a rule that healthcare professionals were exempt, I am one myself and it was very clear from when Spain was removed from the exemption list that anyone returning from a holiday there had to quarantine.  We were told directly in an email that if we holidayed there we would have to take unpaid leave on our return. 

I can't post a link but if you put the below path on the gov . uk site that is where where it said healthcare were exempt: (it has since changed on 30th July)
/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules#registered-health-or-care-professionals

Grumpy_chap

The exemptions only apply for travel associated with work.  Does not include going on holiday.

Jeremy535897

daaff said:

Even if the staff member doesn't need to self isolate the employer can choose not to pay them?

If you take booked holiday somewhere that the UK does not require you to quarantine yourself on your return, you should just go back to work and be paid as normal. If employers want employees to quarantine themselves when there is no requirement to do so, they should pay the employees concerned during quarantine, unless the contract of employment states that they must quarantine on return without pay..

prowla

I don't get the logic that a health worker could go abroad and potentially pick up the virus, but them be exempt from quarantine on return and so free to go and circulate.

Not being judgemental - just thinking it through...

Grumpy_chap

Jeremy535897 said:

daaff said:

Even if the staff member doesn't need to self isolate the employer can choose not to pay them?

If you take booked holiday somewhere that the UK does not require you to quarantine yourself on your return, you should just go back to work and be paid as normal. If employers want employees to quarantine themselves when there is no requirement to do so, they should pay the employees concerned during quarantine, unless the contract of employment states that they must quarantine on return without pay..

Quite correct Jeremy, but the OP specifically says OP's wife returned from holiday in Spain last week, so does need to quarantine and most employers won't pay.

Grumpy_chap

Exemption for medical staff is not all circumstances
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules

Need to then click the hyperlink for registered medical practitioner

daaff

Grumpy_chap said:

Exemption for medical staff is not all circumstances


Need to then click the hyperlink for registered medical practitioner

The list didn't originally make any reference to specific roles or purpose of travel - it was a very generic, Any "registered health or care professional" who provides care. Border control also confirmed she was exempt after checking the form.
Probably best that we check that is accurate.

Lets just assume that what we were told initially is correct and she is exempt and doesn't need to quarantine - then her employer would then need to pay her even if they say she cannot work? (Unless its mentioned in a contract)

daaff

Here is the description prior to 31st July:

Registered health or care professionals travelling to the UK to provide essential healthcare, including where this is not related to coronavirus.

You’ll need to complete the Public Health passenger locator form before you travel to the UK.

You will not need to self-isolate for 14 days if you are staying in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. You’ll need to self-isolate for 14 days if you are staying in Scotland.

You’ll need to show:

• you’ll start work within 14 days of your arrival in the UK
• proof of professional registration with a UK-based regulator
• an employment contract or letter of confirmation from either an:
• NHS Trust
• independent healthcare provider
• independent social care provider