A recent survey has shown that 46% of businesses have employees who have suffered with symptoms of long Covid in the past 12 months. A quarter of these even list long Covid as a main cause of long-term sickness.
However, it seems that around 20% of businesses are still unaware that their employees were experiencing ongoing symptoms.
As a local HR agency we urge business owners and managers to take a keen interest in the health and wellbeing of their people. Long Covid is an ongoing issue, and cases seem to be rising all the time and to deal with it, we believe it’s especially important that employers create a supportive and open working environment where employees feel able to highlight their health concerns.
While many employers are doing as much as they can to help employees who are struggling, and while long Covid itself isn’t classed as a disability. In serious cases it may become something to consider due to the length of time it affects day to day life. So, it’s a good idea to suggest employees who are struggling get a proper diagnosis. Not only does this allow employers to make reasonable adjustments to roles – like flexible working or adjusting hybrid working arrangements – it also gives employers increased loyalty and productivity in return from those workers in the long term.
It can be a difficult situation to navigate, and communication is key. If you’re unsure about the best way to handle a case of long Covid, you can always seek professional HR advice to avoid making a costly decision.
For a short time, we are offering local businesses a free HR Health Check and to answer any tricky HR questions business owners may have. Contact us today to find out how we might help you.
