Cancelled Annual Leave in times of CoronaVirus
With travel restrictions being imposed across the globe, we look at what organisations should bear in mind in relation to cancelled annual leave.
The summer months are getting closer, many staff will likely have booked periods of annual leave to travel abroad or to go to different parts of the UK. However, in light of the coronavirus outbreak, an increasing number of people may be having to change their plans and request to cancel pre-booked periods of leave. Some employees may even choose to do this, with the hope of delaying their leave until later in the year when it is hoped that the situation will not be as severe. Initially, organisations may be happy to let staff cancel their leave, especially if faced with situations where other employees may need to self-isolate. But there are several things they should bear in mind.
Under the Working Time Regulations 1998, full-time employees and workers in the UK are entitled to take 5.6 weeks of paid annual leave per leave year. To this end, organisations are legally obligated to provide opportunity for staff to take their full leave entitlements. For those who operate January to December leave years, they may be concerned over when their staff will be provided opportunity in which to take their leave in 2020. For example, if the situation has calmed towards the end of the year, staff may all then wish to have their holidays, something it may not be possible for organisations to allow.
Usually, it is up to the organisation if they let staff cancel pre-booked leave. After all, in usual circumstances, it is likely that management will have planned to cover for their absence and may not wish to change these, especially on short notice. Therefore, team leaders are free to refuse this request, but in light of the current situation with the coronavirus, it would be advisable for them to proceed carefully. With tensions running high, and staff likely increasingly worried over the implications of the virus, allowing them to cancel periods of booked leave may be a key way of maintaining stronger relations with a workforce.
To this end, it is instead advisable to maintain open communications with staff, keeping them up to date with all steps the organisation is taking to combat the spread of the virus. If staff do want to cancel leave, a conversation should be held over why this is and if there are any alternatives that could be considered at this time. For example, if a pre-booked holiday has been delayed for a few months, organisations should consider letting the leave be deferred to these new dates so it is still booked in to take. Employees should also be reminded that if they do cancel leave now, later requests will only be granted if business need can permit it.
It is currently unknown how long this current situation is to last. With an increasing number of people potentially having to self-isolate over the next few months, it is advisable that organisations prepare by spreading workloads as much as possible in order to minimise the impact. If employees are able to work from home, this may also be an option that could be considered.