Sickness and absence in the workplace because of long COVID

For some people, coronavirus (COVID-19) can cause symptoms that last weeks or months after the infection, often referred to as 'long-tail COVID' or 'long COVID'.

Long COVID symptoms could affect someone's ability to work or cause them to take sickness absence.

What the employer should do

Employers should be aware that the effects of long COVID can come and go. On some days the person might seem well, but on others their symptoms can be worse, and they might need to be off work again.

If someone is off sick, they might feel isolated or need support to return to work. Employers should:

·       agree how and when to make contact during any absence

·       make sure their work is covered and shared out appropriately while they’re off

·       talk about ways to support employees as they return to work, where and when possible

When the employee feels able to return to work

The employer should talk with the employee about any support they may need. They could discuss:

·       getting an occupational health assessment

·       making changes to the workplace or to how the employee works, such as different working hours

·       a phased return to work

·       what they want to tell others at work about their illness

Find out more about returning to work after absence

If an employee is struggling to do their job

If an employer feels the employee is not able to do their work or is taking a lot of absence, they should see if they can do anything to help. For example, a further occupational health assessment to find out if more support is needed.

They should make sure they have done everything they can before considering a capability procedure. If an employer dismisses an employee without first carrying out a full and fair disciplinary or capability procedure, the employee could make a claim of unfair dismissal to an employment tribunal.

If you require any further information on the topic of long-covid or would like any support with implementing long-covid procedures in your workplace, then please do get in touch – polly@rathbonehrsolutions.co.uk