How to manage: What happens if employees want to take foreign holidays?

Since existing legislation does not cover Covid-19 travel restrictions and mandatory quarantine, employers and staff need to work together to address concerns

There is nothing in the law that allows an employer to forbid an employee to travel abroad. Picture: Willie Dillon

Although foreign travel looks set to be heavily regulated this summer, some people in Ireland may still choose to book trips abroad.

What does that mean for their employers, in view of any potential Covid-19 risks any such trips might pose to their workforce?

From an employer’s perspective, the statutory duties under the Organisation of Working Time Act will always dictate their approach to annual leave.

It is no surprise, however, that this existing working ...