Coronavirus In Latvia: FAQs For Employers

Are employers allowed to require employees provide information on their holiday travel plans? The Cabinet of Ministers has made an order declaring a state of emergency in Latvia (the 'Emergency Order'. Taking into account the obligations and recommendations provided in the Emergency Order, an employer's demand that employees disclose of their vacation travel plans can be considered justified and proportional. Of course, this does not exclude the possibility of an employee providing deliberately false information.

Are employers entitled to prohibit employees from travelling to certain countries on holiday? Employers are entitled to recommend employees refrain from travelling to the affected territories, as well as refraining from travel in general by pointing out the consequences if these recommendations are not followed (see question 3). A general prohibition on employees travelling to specific countries would not be acceptable.

What measures can be implemented by employers in relation to employees who have returned from territories affected by the virus? The Emergency Order imposes a duty to self-isolate and not to go to work for anyone who has returned from territories affected by Covid-19. This means employers are entitled to deny entry into the workplace for employees who have returned from these countries and have not complied with this duties. If it is not possible to ensure remote work for an employee in this situation, the employer can temporarily suspend him or her without pay.

Is it possible to temporarily reduce the number of employees or impose part-time work? As in other situations, employers are entitled to implement redundancies also as a result of consequences of the coronavirus. Whether the redundancy is temporary or permanent is completely at the employer's discretion. After implementing a redundancy, employer is not obliged to ensure that the employees are rehired after certain time: it is the employer's choice.

Employers can only switching an employee to part-time work by reducing his or her salary with the employee's agreement, since these changes entail amendments to the employment contract that are only possible if mutually agreed.

If there are circumstances in which...