For some, overcoming COVID-19 is just part of their story, with ongoing symptoms impacting not only their health but also their capacity to work.
The impact of long COVID on the Australian workforce is wide reaching. Therefore, it’s imperative that organisations gain an understanding of long COVID, how it might affect their workforce, and make plans to address it.
What is long COVID?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), long COVID is a condition that occurs in individuals with a history of probable or confirmed COVID-19 infection, usually three months from the onset of their infection. Symptoms of long COVID generally last for at least two months and cannot be explained by any alternative diagnosis.
The most common symptoms are fatigue, breathlessness, and cognitive dysfunction. Examples are memory loss, brain fog and concentration difficulties, and speech issues.
Other reported reactions include musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, and neuropsychiatric symptoms, myocarditis, and postural orthostatic tachycardic syndrome (POTS).
Furthermore, COVID-19 infections are associated with an increased risk of chronic conditions such as T2DM and cardiovascular disease.
Proof of impact
Numerous studies from across the world have demonstrated how long these long COVID symptoms can result in either an absence from work or reduced hours.
A large study in the US revealed more than 33% of COVID-19 cases had one or more long COVID symptom(s) last over six months. A second study found around one quarter of people were either out of work or on reduced hours due to ongoing issues due to long COVID.
In the UK, a survey of 20,000 cases found 13.7% of people were experiencing symptoms for more than 12 weeks, with the highest prevalence occurring between ages 35-49 years. An additional study found that 20% of people with long COVID were not working, with an extra 16% working reduced hours.
Back here in Australia, the University of Melbourne published a study quantifying the overall health burden of COVID-19 throughout the Omicron wave. Long COVID contributed to approximately 74% of the non-fatal health loss during the first four months of the wave. The total years of healthy life lost due to disability (YLDs) is comparable to chronic kidney disease and ischaemic heart disease.
Implications for businesses and employees
“Nobody wants to get COVID-19 or suffer its long-term effects,” says Jobfit’s Dr Aaquil Azman.
“However, businesses need staff to function, and they need them to function safely. To do this, many employees will require a gradual and phased return to work. Not only will it ensure their safety, and the safety of others, but it will reduce the risk of relapse, which is common.”
Among the leading causes of relapse in long COVID cases is physical and mental activity, or fatigue. These causes can be associated with the pressures of a fast-paced and stressful work environment.
85% of people with long COVID report that their symptoms had deteriorated after a period of improvement. Ideally, employees should not be doing more than 70% of what they feel capable of doing at any time.
“Businesses must learn how to manage the rehabilitation of employees with long COVID as it can have a considerable impact on their occupational health and safety,” Dr Azman says.
“Their duties may need to be adjusted or tasks modified based on their potential functional or physical limitations.”
What should businesses do?
To support the return-to-work of employees with long COVID, Dr Azam suggests:
- A dedicated policy within the business that addresses the impact of long COVID. Or explicit recognition of long COVID within existing occupational health and safety policies
- Providing guidance or training to line managers and supervisors about how to manage workplace absence due to long COVID
- Regular inquiries about the health of employees – be open, inclusive and supportive
- Establishing a questionnaire or matrix. Workers can then assess their own symptoms and the impact it may have on their ability to do their job
- Identifying safety-critical roles that may put employees with long COVID, and co-workers, at most risk of injury
- Offer flexibility and workplace adjustments. A study found nearly half of people with long COVID said working from home enabled them to continue doing their job while recovering
- Re-thinking safety and risk assessment with long COVID in mind. Take a symptom-led approach, not a diagnosis-led approach, as not every person’s health is the same
Businesses that take a proactive approach to managing long COVID within their workforce, and change their return-to-work procedures, will be best placed to minimise any disruption that the sickness can have on their operations.
For more information how Jobfit can assist your organisation with illness or injury fitness for duty assessments, please contact us.
