Employsure's advice center has come under pressure with more than 25% of corona virus outbreak calls as employers strive to take the safest route for their employees.
Potential closings, advice on isolating employees who have traveled through high-risk areas, and leaving entitlements are high on the list of employer concerns.
Due to the increase in calls, Employsure has set up a special coronavirus consultation line for its customers, which has already exceeded more than 300 calls per day. This number is expected to increase after the World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a pandemic and Australia is feeling the risk of isolation and quarantine measures.
"There are certainly some trends in the type of information that employers are looking for," said Ed Mallett, managing director of Employsure.
“They want to know what to do if one of their employees is diagnosed with a coronavirus. They also want to understand their obligations when they have to close their business. Worker leave entitlements are a common question as employers adjust to a situation where they have workers who need to isolate themselves. "
Mr. Mallett explains: “Our primary advice to employers is that employees who present themselves as sick or who are diagnosed with coronavirus have normal entitlements to personal vacation. However, if you force an employee to self-isolate who does not meet the self-isolation criteria and has not returned from a higher risk area, the employer will have to cover the cost of that vacation. "
“The Fair Work Act contains provisions that cover the worst-case scenario of a government shutdown. Your employees do not have to come to work and receive paid vacation. If you have cash flow, you can consider paying out entitlements such as annual leave, but you are not required to do so.
“Australia's industrial relations system is complex enough. Navigating a pandemic takes it to a whole new level. But we are here to help. "
