The Hidden Burden of Long Covid and What Companies Can Do
May 14, 2024
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MIT research scientist Beth Pollack and Vanguard University professor Ludmila Praslova discuss the challenges of long Covid in the workplace. They highlight the symptoms, lack of treatments, and the need for accommodations. Recommendations include flexible work arrangements and supportive policies for employees with chronic illnesses.
Employers should offer flexible accommodations like remote work and scheduling flexibility for employees with long Covid.
Companies need to shift towards disability-inclusive practices and create environments where employees with long Covid can thrive.
Deep dives
Understanding Long COVID and its Impact on Workplaces
Long COVID presents unique challenges for employers due to its range of symptoms and lasting effects, impacting around 18 million Americans alone. The diverse symptoms, affecting multiple organ systems, can fluctuate and include severe fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, autonomic issues, headaches, and more. While some recover, many individuals face lingering symptoms with limited treatment options. Employers increasingly grapple with accommodating employees with long COVID to retain and support their workforce.
Adapting Workplace Accommodations for Long COVID
Employers need to offer flexible accommodations for employees with long COVID, such as remote work, scheduling flexibility, extended leaves, and physical environment adjustments for quiet areas and better air quality. Providing support for limited uptime, job redesign, and understanding diverse symptoms are crucial. Managers must create inclusive environments where employees feel comfortable disclosing their condition and work collaboratively on suitable accommodations.
Educating Employers on Disability Inclusion and Benefits of Supporting Employees with Long COVID
Employers must shift towards disability-inclusive practices, recognizing that disability does not equate to inability. Companies need to understand the prevalence and complexities of long COVID and similar chronic illnesses. Supporting individuals with flexibility and open-mindedness can lead to satisfying careers while aligning with organizational goals. Clearing misconceptions and fostering environments where employees with long COVID can thrive are essential for workplace success.
Around 18 million adults in the U.S. alone suffer from long Covid, a chronic illness with a wide range of symptoms and severity. With approved therapies a long way off, workers with long Covid often struggle in silence. And most companies have neither a good understanding of the situation nor effective policies in place, say MIT research scientist Beth Pollack and Vanguard University professor Ludmila Praslova. They share the conditions associated with long Covid, what life is like for those workers, and the accommodations and flexibility they recommend HR leaders and organizations implement. Pollack and Praslova are coauthors with researcher Katie Bach of the HBR Big Idea article “Long Covid at Work: A Manager's Guide.”
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