The Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) has produced a new guide to help people get back to work after a COVID-19 infection or after suffering from Long COVID.
‘Long COVID’ is the term which is used after four weeks if COVID symptoms persist and prevent the sufferer from doing normal activities. The Office for National Statistics currently estimates that one in five people still have symptoms after five weeks, and one in ten have symptoms for twelve weeks or longer after acute COVID-19 infection.
Returning to work is an important part of recovery, however it may have to be flexible or phased for employees who are suffering from Long COVID.
The new guide, produced in partnership with the CIPD, the TUC, Mind and others, emphasises the importance of employers and employees working together to manage the return to work effectively.
It includes guidance on what should be discussed at a return to work meeting, considerations around medical clearance which may be required in some roles before returning to work, and a range of adjustments to work duties that could help.
Long COVID tends to relapse if people overdo exertion, so it’s important that sufferers are guided by their symptoms and any return to work can be adapted as it goes along.
Some employees may need a gradual or ‘phased return’ to work, which can be modified over time. Occupational health professionals are reporting that many people need a much longer phased return than the average four weeks.
Adjustments could include things like alterations to start and finish times, shorter days or days off between workdays, changing duties or tasks, reducing workload or giving extended time to complete usual tasks, changing patterns of work, working from home part of the time or putting in support systems like a ‘buddy’ system.
There is clearly no one-size-fits-all solution, and the best outcome will be one that has been worked through by the employer and employee together. The new COVID-19 return to work guide will help with understanding the options.
Access the guide from the CIPD Coronavirus Hub which is an open access platform providing advice, resources and guidance to support employers and people professionals in their response to COVID-19.