Rogge Dunn was recently interviewed by CBS 11 about employer control over holiday travel plans. Can companies can ask their employees about holiday travel plans or enforce travel policies? During the interview, Dunn gave legal insight on these concerns.
Dunn explained that employer influence over actions outside of work is not new; however, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this is extending to employer control over holiday travel plans.
Dunn went on to explain that as businesses aim to protect their workforce and keep their doors open, they can legally enforce travel limitations and policies. “If they have a policy and they say nobody’s allowed to travel on a plane, and you violate that policy, they could fire you,” Dunn said. “You could come home from your vacation, and violate company policy, and find out you’re out of a job.”
According to Dunn, employers are within their rights if they limit travel to virus hotspots, require quarantine upon return, or implement a testing protocol. “In the absence of some state law protecting employees’ individual personal rights, outside the workplace, an employer pretty much has free reign to control what you do,” he said.
In a concluding statement, Dunn advised employees to follow their employer’s policies. “I would make sure, if there’s a policy, that I absolutely, positively follow that policy.”
View the full article by CBS 11 News here.
To learn more about Rogge Dunn, click here.
To learn more about Rogge Dunn Group and the Firm’s experience with labor and employment matters, click here.