140,000 people are currently officially in isolation or quarantine – with a considerable number of unreported cases. Many of them are now absent from work. But how is that actually regulated legally? A labor law expert gives the most important answers for employees.
SRF News: Can I just continue working from home during my quarantine?
Roger Rudolph: Yes, that is possible. However, you have to coordinate your home office activities with your employer.
My boss wants me to come to work despite the quarantine if I feel that I have the health to do so. Can the employer do that?
No, if you are officially obliged to quarantine, this must also be respected by your boss. Exceptions are conceivable, for example, for special occupational groups in the health sector. It is also possible to work in the home office.
My boss wants me to make up for my time in quarantine with overtime. Can he or she ask for it?
No, during a mandatory quarantine you are prevented from working through no fault of your own, as if you were unable to work due to illness, and the corresponding downtime does not have to be reworked. You may have to work overtime after your return if this is operationally necessary. But this extra work cannot be offset against your quarantine-related failure.
You are certainly entitled to continued payment of wages if you are unable to work because of the symptoms.
I have been quarantined because I had contact with an infected person at work. What kind of compensation am I entitled to?
If quarantine is ordered, the loss of earnings insurance pays out daily allowances if home office work is not possible. The compensation amounts to 80 percent of the earned income.
I am in self-isolation. Am I entitled to loss of earnings compensation?
The legal situation is not very clear. You are certainly entitled to continued payment of wages if you are unable to work because of the symptoms.
I can test myself out of quarantine after 7 days and theoretically resume my work. Who pays for the test?
The federal government assumes these costs.
Alexandros Koulouris asked the questions.