Long Covid and return to work – What works? (August 2022)

Summary

This paper provides a summary of a webinar entitled “Long Covid and return to work support - what works?” held in March 2022. The webinar was organised because of the multiple different approaches being taken to the management of Long Covid across the UK and elsewhere.

The paper aims to provide guidance to occupational health providers, employers, workers, people with Long Covid, HR personnel, managers, healthcare professionals and unions about the identification and management of Long Covid, particularly relating to return to work.

It argues that a multi-disciplinary approach is essential to help retain and support people affected by Long Covid to return to work. It includes information on:

• Universal first-line screening assessment in Long Covid
• Red flags and specialist referral
• Treatment which can help function and recovery
• Rehabilitation
• Specific Fitness for Work considerations after Covid-19 infection
• Examples of workplace adjustments for Long Covid
• Prevention of infection: risk management in the workplace
• Workplace public health messages