EU ruling 'could raise cost of sickness leave'
Commercial insurance
18th September 2009
Companies may be forced to pay employees for any holidays lost during sick leave following a ruling by the European Court of Justice, it has been claimed.
According to Elizabeth Stevens of Steeles Law solicitors, the case could cause problems for bosses in the future, as previous practice has been to exercise discretion regarding allowing workers to "claw back holiday entitlement" following periods of illness.
The professional support lawyer explained that the European decision "is the first authoritative ruling" on the issue and may mean that businesses are forced to let staff have leave back when they have been taken ill during a break, something that could be of interest to those seeking insurance for business.
"It's going to be difficult to predict what evidence the employer would require an individual to provide of their sickness," she explained, pointing out that workers mat not have proof that they were ill.
For more information on how Giles can help you with your business insurance, Click here.
