Can the employer grant employees vacation leave during an epidemic threat? What about overdue leave for an earlier calendar year?
Yes, the employer may grant vacation leave. But only with the consent of the employee. In particular, if he has already planned a vacation date in another period.
In the event of overdue leave, the employer may grant the employee such leave.
Furthermore, the employer can "send" an employee on an overdue leave, even without the employee’s consent (judgment of the Supreme Court of 24 January 2006, I PK 124/05).