THOSE unfortunate people who face quarantine orders with suspected Influenza A (H1N1) must take annual leave as 'quarantine leave' although this is not stated under their employment service terms and conditions.

Typically, companies' leave entitlement cover annual, national service, compassionate, sick, hospitalisation, maternity and childcare leave.

It is unfair that employees should have to use up their own leave to serve a quarantine order. No one wants to be quarantined, but we have to because it is the law.

The ministries of Manpower and Health should work out a special leave (quarantine leave?) for those who must serve a quarantine order for medical reasons.

Quarantine leave would encourage more people to come forward to seek medical quarantine.

Employers may fear that employees will take advantage of the quarantine benefit. Their mindset must be cleared, because no one wants to be quarantined.

Charlie Chua

This article was first published in The Straits Times.