A survey of more than 3,000 people with Long Covid, who responded to a UK joint study by the Trades Union Congress and the Long Covid Support Employment Group, has found that 66% of participants have reported being unfairly treatment at work – up from 52% who responded to a similar survey in 2021.
The TUC and Long Covid Support Employment Group are now calling for the government to introduce a range of measures and to ensure that everyone with Long Covid is recognised as disabled under the Equality Act.
The call follows some major findings in their joint report, which reveal that many people with the condition claim that it has had an impact on how they are treated at work:
- Almost a quarter (23%) of respondents say their employer has questioned whether they have Long Covid or the impact of their symptoms.
- One in seven (14%) lost their job due to reasons connected to Long Covid.
- Nearly three in 10 (28%) are concerned Long Covid has affected their chances of a promotion at work.
- Around one in six (16%) report experiencing bullying and harassment at work.
Different types of flexible working are essential to people with Long Covid to be able to stay in work, says the union body. However, the TUC and Long Covid Support Employment Group report shows this is often the hardest adjustment to get from employers.
Around half (49%) of those who responded to the TUC and Long Covid Support Employment Group survey claim that they believed they contracted Covid-19 at work. However, one in eight (12%) say they have not told their employer that they have Long Covid – for fear their boss ‘won’t do anything’ or face ‘being seen in a negative light’.
