What support do people with Long Covid need to return to work?

People living with Long Covid face major challenges returning to work, according to a research study. Symptoms like fatigue and brain fog can fluctuate unpredictably, leaving many struggling with standard workplace policies that fail to account for the condition’s variable nature.

Researchers interviewed 65 people living with Long Covid, most of whom were women aged 30 to 60, and working in public sector roles like healthcare and education. Four key themes emerged:

• Altered Identity: Many felt a loss of purpose and feared being judged or dismissed as incapable due to hidden symptoms affecting memory, concentration, and decision-making.
• Rigid Classifications: Workplaces often failed to support those whose ability to work changed daily, classifying staff as either ‘sick’ or ‘well’.
• Workplace Barriers or Support: A typical 4-week phased return was often unsuitable. Success depended on flexible adjustments like reduced hours, remote working, and adapted roles.
• ‘Adjustment Work’: Many described sacrificing leisure and family life to preserve energy for work or constantly explaining their needs to colleagues and managers.

The study warns that without better understanding and support, people with Long Covid risk being pushed out of work. Under the Equality Act 2010, Long Covid could qualify as a disability, requiring employers to offer reasonable adjustments.

The researchers call for workplaces to adopt more flexible, tailored approaches that reflect the fluctuating nature of Long Covid. A follow-up study is now underway, exploring the impact of Long Covid on front-line workers like nurses, teachers, and police officers.

The research study by Anderson et al. (2024) can be accessed by clicking here.