Long COVID and work in the UK: challenges, support and perspectives.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

 Long COVID (LC) presents significant challenges for working age individuals, leading to major inequalities in access to work, employment and relevant support. This study investigates the workplace support provided to people with Long COVID (PwLC) in the UK, focusing on their return-to-work (RTW) experiences. It encompasses perspectives from both PwLC and managers of PwLC.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 PwLC and two managers experienced in managing employees with LC. Inductive thematic analysis was performed using NVivo14.

Findings

This qualitative research explored barriers and facilitators to supporting PwLC's RTW. LC is characterised by a wide range of mostly "invisible" and fluctuating symptoms and unpredictable recovery trajectories

SUBMITTER: Wei H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12683847 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature