The message from a series of recent
sessions conducted by Toronto-area law firms is that
organizations are not required to pay salaries while
employees are in a SARS-related quarantine whether
voluntary or ordered by public health officials (unless
the organization addressed quarantines in its employment
policies -- which we doubt many have).
That being said, most lawyers are
advising their clients to give employees the benefit of
the doubt and pay their salary during a quarantine
period.
Most employers would rather an employee
stay home if there is any doubt whether they have SARS,
rather than have them come to work.
The lawyers' presentations also
addressed the issue of a safe workplace, and
ensuring that infected individuals do not enter the
workplace. That may include the posting of a
sign, as well as having employees and visitors sign
a declaration that they do not meet the conditions
for voluntary quarantine.
Given that this issue is new, and
most will not have policies in place to deal with
it, consult your legal advisor prior to acting.
Policies and Practices
highlights sample policies and practices that can be
adapted and implemented by associations and other
not-for-profit organizations.
