How to deal with sickness that occurs during or just before a period of holiday

Author: Lynda Macdonald

Summary

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• Be aware that, where an employee's holiday was affected by sickness, they must be allowed to retake the leave at a different time.
• Allow employees to carry over annual leave if sickness absence prevents them from taking it in the leave year in which it was due. 
• Devise and implement a policy to clarify the holiday entitlement of employees who fall sick or are injured while on or just before a planned holiday.
• Include in the policy whether employees in this situation will be entitled to contractual sick pay.
• Make clear what, if any, conditions apply to the rescheduling of annual leave in these circumstances.
• Consider requiring the employee to provide medical evidence.