With news of spreading disease, travel restrictions, and quarantines dominating the news, it’s no surprise that employees have questions about the coronavirus/COVID-19 and whether they risk exposure at work. So, an understanding of how to respond is critical. The issues fall into two basic categories: practical considerations and how an employer can be legally compliant while keeping everyone at work safe.
Practical issues
Preventing exposure. You may wonder whether you can keep employees away from work if they have been exposed to the coronavirus. The answer is yes. You can keep employees off work either because of a public health quarantine or at your request. Also, you’re within your rights to send employees home who come to work with active symptoms.
