Workers who choose to holiday in SARS-infected areas could be forced to stay away from work to allay fears of colleagues.

Employment lawyer Louise Bland said firms may not be able to prevent their staff from choosing to visit countries such as Hong Kong, China and Canada which have been hit by the deadly disease.

But employers may be able to force workers to serve an 'incubation period' during which they work from home or in a separate office on their return.

Mrs Bland, of Leeds law firm Lupton Fawcett, is due to address employers in Bradford tomorrow where she will discuss the effects of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. She has been contacted by a number of firms which have faced issues relating to the deadly flu-like disease, which has claimed 263 lives worldwide.

Fears have also been raised about business trips to suppliers and customers with offices in infected areas.

"The first question is: should employers be sending staff over there and then, if staff are prepared to go, does the employer have a duty to say they should not?" said Mrs Bland.

"I don't think there is an awful lot that employers can do if staff want to visit these places on holiday but, when they come back, they should certainly think about invoking an incubation period. If other staff are worried about the matter, they could be asked to work from home or even in a separate part of the building. Employers do have duties under health and safety law."

Tomorrow, Mrs Bland will also update firms about other recent or impending changes to employment law.

The event, from 9am, is free and takes place at the Hanover International hotel at the top of the M606 motorway in Bradford.

Those interested in attending must book a place by contacting Jacqueline Myers at Lupton Fawcett on (0113) 2802000.