What is it about?
This study investigates whether Long COVID increases the risk of leaving employment, and whether those who remain in employment with Long COVID, differ to workers without Long COVID in terms of hours worked and mental health, and how their work hours and mental health has changed to pre-COVID.
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Why is it important?
Long-term sickness has become a major concern in the UK, not only in terms of public health but also economically. Rising ill-health is also a main contributor to rising economic inactivity, that is when people aged 16 to 64 years who are not in work, are not available to work or not seeking employment. Health issues of those economically inactive due to long-term illness have also become more complex. Researching the impact of a new complex post-viral illness for workers is therefore important for solving the double whammy caused by COVID-related health issues that remain. The pandemic is over but currently 2 million people in England and Scotland alone suffer from Long COVID.
Perspectives
Long COVID is a post-viral infection that can severely limit people's daily activities and their ability to work. It is important to recognise the level and severity of the illness. COVID-related health impacts on our society and workforce have not gone away. The pandemic is over but the longer-lasting health effects continue to post risks to public health, the economy, and individuals’ employment and earnings.
Darja Reuschke
University of Birmingham
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Impacts of Long COVID on workers: A longitudinal study of employment exit, work hours and mental health in the UK, PLoS ONE, June 2024, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306122.
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