The Lingering Impact of Long COVID-19 on Employees and Workplaces
Some people who test positive for COVID-19 can experience long-term effects from their infection, known as “long COVID-19.” The effects of long COVID-19 can vary; individuals may experience mild symptoms or suffer near-debilitating health concerns. Long COVID-19 has impacted both employees and their employers. Specifically, some employees have not been able to work at full capacity due to their symptoms, thus creating additional labour challenges for employers. This article further explains what long COVID-19 is, outlines how it has affected employees and explains what this means for employers.
What Is Long COVID-19?
Long COVID-19 can encompass a range of health problems. According to Health Canada, these symptoms can last for weeks or months after the initial infection. Generally, such symptoms occur more often among those who experienced severe illness from COVID-19, but anyone who tested positive can encounter long COVID-19—even people who had a mild illness or no symptoms from their initial infection. Individuals who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and become infected may also be at higher risk of developing long COVID-19.
Per the World Health Organization, people with long COVID-19 commonly report these symptoms:
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Fever
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Brain fog
- Sleep problems
- Changes in smell or taste
- Depression or anxiety
- Muscle aches
- Trouble speaking
- Impact on Employees
Statistics Canada found that about 1.4 million Canadian adults indicated having symptoms three months after a positive COVID-19 test or suspected infection. It has been reported that long COVID-19 keeps some employees out of work altogether. In particular, an estimated 22 percent of people with long COVID-19 are not working because of their illness, and 45 percent had reduced hours as of 2020, according to an international survey published in the medical journal, The Lancet.
What This Means for Employers
First and foremost, individuals who are unable to perform at full capacity due to long COVID-19 could be contributing to ongoing labour challenges among employers. In fact, Statistics Canada reported that employers were seeking to fill almost 1 million vacant positions in the second quarter of 2022, up 4.7 percent from the first quarter of the year. The number of job openings remains high as the demand for workers outweighs the supply. As such, many employers are struggling to fill positions, and experts expect labour challenges to continue going forward. Employers will also likely face challenges concerning their current employees with long COVID-19. Depending on their employees’ symptoms, employers will likely need to take an individualized approach to accommodate them on the job properly. Common accommodations include reduced hours, remote arrangements and hybrid schedules.
Employers should also be aware that employees suffering from long COVID-19 may be eligible for support through Employment and Skills Development Canada’s employment insurance program or the Canada Pension Plan Disability benefits. If long COVID-19 becomes classified as a disability, employees would be protected under the Employment Equity Act, which states that a person with a disability is an individual who has “a long-term or recurring physical, mental, sensory, psychiatric or learning impairment.” Under the Employment Equity Act, an employer must provide reasonable accommodation to a qualified employee or job applicant with a disability unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the employer’s business.
For More Information
Long COVID-19 continues to impact employees and workplaces. As a result, employers should monitor the issue to be prepared to respond effectively. Employers may need to provide accommodations to affected employees who are still able to work and should stay up to date on legal requirements and other guidelines to ensure they remain compliant. For specific guidance, employers should seek local legal counsel.
For more information on risk management, or to find out how to reduce your insurance costs call CMB at 780.424.2727 or click here to get a quote.