Stranded Abroad by Flight Delays? Here’s What It Means for Your Pay

Thousands of air passengers are expected to have faced delays and cancellations this summer as a result of natural weather conditions. 

For many adults, this would mean potentially not returning on the day that you were due to return to work, and therefore, may be wondering what your options are regarding pay and annual leave.

James Watkins, Employment Lawyer at Howells Solicitors, discusses your options as someone that may face delays and cancelled flights, meaning additional time off work:

“If you’re stranded abroad due to a cancelled or delayed flight, requiring you to miss at least an extra day off work, then you might be wondering what your rights are, and whether your employer will pay you.

The simple answer is no, your employer shouldn’t have to pay for you for an additional day, or days, if you find yourself needing extra time off work. However, it’s up to your manager and your employer on whether these extra days can be taken from your annual leave allowance at short notice.

You could ask your employee if you’re able to take this extra time as annual leave, although if you don’t have any leave remaining, it may be counted as unpaid leave, if the manager agrees to this over the other options.

Another choice that you may have, depending on business opening hours, is making up the lost time on weekends and evenings. Doing this would mean that you’d not lose an additional day of annual leave, or take any unpaid leave.

If you have your laptop with you on your holiday, then your employer may also allow you to work abroad. Most hotels and cafes have strong Wi-Fi connections, meaning you might be able to continue working with a change of scenery. 

If you don’t have your laptop with you, would you still be able to take client and internal calls from your phone? Again, this could be an option as long as your employer says that it’s ok.”

What are the exceptions?

“If you’re on a business trip, and you’re abroad because your employer has sent you, then you should legally be paid for the days that you’re missing at home, whether you’re working or not. The employer should also pay for you for any costs that you may occur, including food, drink and hotel expenses.”