Current government advice for anyone returning from areas with severe outbreaks of Coronavirus is to self-
isolate for 14 days. This includes trips from the Chinese Hubei province, Iran and northern Italy.
However, if you’re not actually sick, you may not get paid. “During this time, there’s no legal requirement
for your employer to pay you,” says Michael Legge, senior associate at JMW Solicitors. “But given the
exceptional circumstances and government guidance, we recommend employers consider treating any
period of self-isolation as sick leave.”
Rubel Bashir, an employment solicitor with Slater and Gordon, says it’s good practice to follow for all
involved, “otherwise an employee may decide to ignore medical advice and come into the workplace
causing additional risks for the employer”.
Depending on your company policy, sick leave may mean full pay or statutory sick pay (SSP), which is
worth up to £94.25 a week and kicks in once you’re off work for four days.
Can I work from home?
Some companies including oil giant Chevron and Crossrail have already asked some employees to work
from home. If you’re asked to do this, you should get paid as normal.
Anyone self-isolating may be able to work from home, depending on their job. “But there’s no legal
requirement for businesses to sanction such an arrangement”, warns Legge.
But if you can work from home and your boss agrees, you should be able to bank your usual salary.
Stuck abroad in quarantine or lockdown
If this happens, whether you’re stuck in a hotel or on a cruise ship, it’s not good news for your bank balance
as, “your employer isn’t legally obliged to pay you”, says Legge.
“Anyone in this situation may find they’re out of pocket unless they use their annual leave, and those
without sufficient holiday allowance may be required to take unpaid leave.”