As well as putting in place practical support and adjustments for employees with long Covid, it is important employers strive to create psychologically safe workplaces where people feel comfortable opening up about their physical and mental health, argues Dr Hemal Desai.
Post-acute Covid syndrome, or long Covid as it is more commonly known, is rapidly emerging as a significant health challenge faced by many employees around the world. In fact, latest research from the UK government estimates that as many as 1.1 million people in the UK were experiencing long Covid as of September 2021.
Symptoms such as extreme fatigue and breathlessness can severely impact people’s wellbeing and everyday lives – including their ability to do their job effectively.
This presents challenges for employers, who must learn to adapt and accommodate the needs of workers who are struggling with a condition that medical experts still know very little about.
Recently, I took part in Aetna’s ‘Health Matters for the Workplace’ panel discussion, which explored the impact of long Covid for employees and businesses.
I spoke alongside experts from different sectors including HR, management and legal. While I was able to provide insight from a clinical perspective, the panel as a whole offered a 360-view of how long Covid is impacting sufferers and what employers can do to ensure a healthy, supportive and inclusive occupational environment.
Our discussions highlighted that an holistic approach will be key to successfully tackling the difficulties long Covid sufferers face at work. With that in mind, here are some perspectives for employers to consider as they evaluate their strategies for responding to long Covid.
Long Covid
Working together to tackle long Covid
One in three have long Covid symptoms after coronavirus infection
How will long Covid affect the provision of occupational health services?
The clinical perspective
Chronic fatigue is the most common symptom that presents in long Covid cases (in fact, one in 10 experience this at the five-week stage) and another key symptom is breathlessness.
Considering these two symptoms alone, long Covid can have a profound impact on a person’s everyday life and job performance. Just commuting to work can be a major obstacle for sufferers, never mind trying to complete a full day’s work to the best of their ability.
The nature of long Covid also means that it can affect different systems in the body; from the neurological system or respiratory system, to the cardiac system and your psychological state. Symptoms can also range in intensity from mild to severe, meaning the impact can vary significantly from person to person. For an individual, the effects of long Covid could also vary from day to day.
As people suffer from long Covid in different ways, understanding the individual and their needs is absolutely vital. Once you begin to understand the person and their specific symptoms and challenges, you can start to work out the appropriate solution.
Equally, in this context, employers providing healthcare security through insurance or a health benefits’ partners is crucial. Selecting the right healthcare plan for employees is more important now than ever before.
The legal perspective
Covid-19 has been around for less than two years, which means that the legal processes relating to both Covid-19 and long Covid for employers are still developing, and they will vary by country.
The steps an employer could take to support sufferers will depend greatly on the individual, the extent of their symptoms and how this will impact their ability to do their job. While one employee might need time off, for example, another might benefit from an adjustment to their schedule.
For some sufferers, symptoms might meet the definition of a disability (this will also vary by country).
This means that, regardless of whether long Covid is specifically named under disability laws, it should be treated as any other disability would.
We are still in the early stages of understanding the full extent of the symptoms and effects of long Covid. However, it is clear that occupational health support will play an important role in alleviating the impact of long Covid on individuals and businesses.”
Employers need to look at cases individually and consider the impact on a person’s daily activities, so reasonable adjustments can then be made. Ultimately, and given the circumstances of the last two years, the key here is flexibility. Taking a tailored, individual approach to workplace adjustments will help an employee to do their job to the best of their ability, regardless of their medical condition.
The management and HR perspective
Ignorance around physical and mental health can often lead to discrimination, particularly in the workplace. It’s important to be aware that this stigma could be preventing people from disclosing to their employer that they are suffering from long Covid (or other health issues).
As such, it is critical that managers strive to create psychologically safe workplaces where people feel comfortable opening up about their physical and mental health if they feel it is affecting their work. And equally, to know that they will be supported if they do so.
The relationship between employees and line managers is crucial here and can help to build ongoing, effective communication that will lead to a better understanding of an employee’s individual symptoms and needs.
While more knowledge and education on this particular health challenge is still needed, in the meantime empathy and compassion will go a long way.
Key takeaways for occupational health
We are still in the early stages of understanding the full extent of the symptoms and effects of long Covid. However, it is clear that occupational health support will play an important role in alleviating the impact of long Covid on individuals and businesses.
While the panel participants offered different insights from their own areas of expertise, there were some key points that resonated across the board.
Firstly, understanding individual circumstances and needs will be critical to tackling long Covid in the workplace.
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Secondly, employers must be prepared to be flexible when accommodating the needs of long Covid sufferers.
Finally, creating a compassionate and understanding work culture can help employees feel supported and comfortable enough to open up about their health.
