Long COVID & Work Report: Insights for Employers UK

The TUC and Long Covid Support’s Long Covid and Work report, published in March 2023, highlights the significant challenges people with Long Covid face in the workplace. A summary of the findings can be found below.

Impact of Long Covid

• Many people infected with Covid-19 have persistent symptoms that last for weeks, months or years, known as Long Covid. As of early 2023, 2 million people in the UK report suffering from Long Covid.
• Long Covid causes symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive problems and breathing difficulties that fluctuate over time and make it difficult to work.

Work-related challenges

• A survey of 3,097 people found that many of them had been treated badly at work. About 14% lost their jobs due to Long Covid.
• Two-thirds of respondents experienced unfair treatment, including bullying, harassment and having their symptoms questioned by their employer.
• Almost half of respondents believed they had contracted Covid-19 at work.

Financial struggles

• Being sick with Covid for so long has put a financial strain on many. Half of the respondents have had to dip into their savings, while some have had to rely on food banks or take out loans.
• Dealing with the welfare system was also a challenge, as applying for support often exacerbated symptoms.

Recommendations

The report suggests several steps to support workers with Long Covid, such as:

1. Strengthening legislation by recognising Long Covid as a disability under the Equality Act.
2. Ensuring access to financial benefits for those affected.
3. Improving workplace policies to support those affected, including offering flexible working hours and better return to work plans
4. Improve protection for workers to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the workplace.

The report emphasises the urgent need for employers and the government to act, not only to protect workers, but also to prevent new inequalities from emerging due to the long-term effects of Covid-19.

Access the report by clicking here.

The TUC also published a report in 2021 which can be accessed here.