Top Tips to Manage Long Covid at Work

2 years ago

Occupational health specialists have published a guide for businesses to help manage Long Covid at work. Designed by doctors to help managers support recovery following Covid, the guide provides top tips and advice to help get employees back to good health.

Even though it’s been around for two years, Covid-19 is still a new illness. Lots is still unknown about the long-term impact of Covid infection, but more data is being published all the time.

Some people recovering from Covid-19 still experience symptoms months after infection. It can be debilitating and can have a profound impact on ability to work.

Research shows that 20% of people with Long Covid have symptoms after four weeks and 10% have symptoms for 12 weeks or longer. For some people, symptoms can last many months.

Magnus Kauders, MD at Occupational Health Assessment Ltd says “managers should be aware that symptoms can be unpredictable and fluctuate over time and many people will need workplace adjustments to get them back to good health”.

Common symptoms of Long Covid include extreme fatigue, breathlessness, muscle and joint pain, chest pain and mental health problems, among others.

Rehabilitation following ill health can be a big problem for businesses. There are lots of costs involved, like paying for temporary cover, re-allocating work across a team and or managing reduced performance levels. There may be employment risks and insurance risks too.

Mr. Kauders says “Return to work programmes can be complex and differ for each individual, but there are some areas which are common to all successful plans, which we’ve made into six top tips for businesses.”

1. A gradual approach is needed because there is no single, proven, expected recovery pattern

2. Identifying ‘baseline’ activity levels is crucial and understanding what can be done for 5 to 7 days without any relapse is the first step

3. Employees are likely to need shorter activities and longer rest periods and the aim is to invert the two over time

4. Avoiding ‘boom to bust’ patterns is essential, and a good day doesn’t mean an employee is over the problem. Stopping employees from overloading on work as they come back will help them more in the long-run.

5. Develop a routine and helping the employee to structure their work around it will help both parties

6. Encouraging employees to keep an activity diary will help you understand what is and isn’t working, which helps to improve the long-term success of the rehabilitation plan

Preparation for a return to work will is also necessary and return to work conservations are essential. It is also important for businesses to keep in touch with employees whilst they’re absent from work.

It is still not clear if Long Covid will be defined as a disability, which means employers cannot be certain they are not breaking the law without taking professional advice. The decision about whether Long Covid is a disability is a legal one and not a medical decision.

The Society of Medicine and ACAS both have lots of free information and toolkits available for businesses to use.

The unpredictable and fluctuating nature of Long Covid means that some workers may need to return gradually – building up work capacity steadily and slowly. Mr Kauders concludes “good communication is absolutely essential, and some patience may be required too.”

About Occupational Health Assessment Ltd

Occupational Health Assessment Ltd., is a specialist medical provider based near Guildford which supports businesses across the UK. With access to a team of expert doctors, the business helps employers manage and reduce health risks.

https://occupationalhealthassessment.com/2022/01/14/managing-long-covid-at-work/

https://occupationalhealthassessment.com/2020/08/03/covid-19-rehabilitation-tips-for-employers/

https://occupationalhealthassessment.com/2021/08/06/managing-lone-workers/

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Magnus Kauders

Managing Director

Occupational Health Assessment Ltd

Surrey Technology Centre

40 Occam Road