When can "excluded" employees return to work?

"Excluded" employees, such as those who have been ill or had a communicable disease, can only return to work after ensuring that they are no longer a risk to others in the workplace. A doctor’s note serves as an important verification that an employee has recovered and is fit to return to work, providing a level of assurance regarding public health and safety in the food service environment. This measure helps prevent the spread of illness and maintains safety standards within the establishment.

Simply feeling better may not be a reliable indicator that an employee is no longer contagious or fit to resume duties, which is why a doctor's confirmation is necessary. Notifying management is indeed crucial, but it does not substitute for a medical assessment that confirms the employee’s readiness to return. An indefinite exclusion from work is not typically the case for minor illnesses, especially when there are guidelines established for safe return based on medical advice.