The Impact of Post COVID Condition on the Workforce

Written By Delainne Bond

COVID-19 continues to have a domino effect on global health and the economy, and the repercussions continue to pose challenges due to post-COVID condition (PCC), a chronic illness also known as Long COVID.

Most people recover from COVID-19 within 1-2 weeks after infection. However, some experience persistent or new symptoms long after the initial infection. This condition can affect anyone, regardless of the severity of their initial COVID-19 case.


PCC encompasses symptoms that last for 4 weeks or more after initial infection and cannot be attributed to any other diagnosis. This condition is marked by debilitating symptoms that significantly hinder an individual's ability to return to work and carry out daily activities, causing billions of dollars in lost wages and impacting our economy.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, long COVID affects an estimated 4%-10% of the U.S. adult population and 1 in 10 adults who had COVID develop long COVID. The Census Bureau’s June to July 2022 HPS survey found that 16.3 million people (around 8%) of working-age Americans currently have long Covid. This report uses HPS data rather than Current Population Survey (CPS) data—which is generally more robust—because the HPS asks questions specific to long Covid, and the CPS does not. The CPS asks about six specific manifestations of disability, which will likely identify some cases of long Covid, but almost certainly not all.

Research indicates that a subset of individuals with PCC face difficulties with productivity and reintegration into the workplace, creating a pressing public health and economic concern. The chronic nature of these symptoms impacts not only an individual’s health but also their economic stability due to extended absences from work and diminished capabilities upon return. Addressing these challenges necessitates a comprehensive approach to support those affected and mitigate long-term consequences.

PCC Impact at Work

Mild symptoms, employer accommodations, or significant financial need can all keep people with long Covid employed. But in many cases, long Covid impacts work. Understanding that impact requires three data points. The physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms associated with PCC create significant barriers for individuals, impacting their work capabilities and overall quality of life. To facilitate their management of these symptoms and aid in the gradual reintegration into professional roles, comprehensive support systems and accommodations are essential.

Symptoms: PCC can present with neural symptoms, including chronic fatigue, pain, insomnia, shortness of breath, and muscle wasting. These impairments can severely limit individuals' ability to perform physically demanding tasks, reduce their endurance, and decrease overall productivity. Chronic fatigue makes it challenging to maintain consistent work hours or engage in activities requiring sustained effort. Additionally, persistent respiratory issues can hinder physical activity, rendering even routine tasks laborious.

Cognitive Issues: Cognitive challenges, such as “brain fog,” manifests with memory, attention, and executive dysfunction. These cognitive deficits can obstruct critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to concentrate on complex tasks, all of which are vital in most professional settings. Such impairments can linger for months, diminishing an individual’s capability to engage in intellectually demanding work and presenting a significant obstacle to returning to their jobs.

Emotional and Psychological Complications: PCC also impacts emotional and psychological well-being, contributing to conditions such as anxiety, depression, anger, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These behavioral health issues can exacerbate physical symptoms and hinder work performance by affecting motivation, emotional stability, and interpersonal relationships within the workplace. The resulting behavioral health challenges may lead to lost time, decreased productivity, and decreased job satisfaction, challenging the ability to maintain employment.

With so many variables in the symptoms and manifestation of PCC, there is no single treatment protocol specifically for PCC, and laboratory tests cannot definitively confirm whether symptoms are indeed attributable to it. Ongoing management of chronic symptoms is crucial to minimize their impact on daily activities and enhance quality of life, ultimately easing the transition back to work.

Necessity of Addressing Work Absence and Disability

The economic burden of lost wages is approaching $200 billion a year—and likely to rise. Using the average U.S. wage of $1,106 per week, the estimated 3 million people in 2022 out of work due to long Covid translated to $168 billion a year in lost earnings. This is nearly 1% of the total U.S. gross domestic product. in 2024 the number of people with Long COVID rose to 4 million, that is a $230 billion cost. 

Lost workdays due to COVID-19 have had a substantial impact on the economy. Even the midpoint scenario of roughly 600 million workdays lost represents nearly a week missed per worker on average, more than doubling the pre-pandemic number of sick days taken by Americans. The implied reduction of 1.5 percent in the US labor force is material at a time when unemployment stands at only 3.7 percent, and many sectors are labor constrained.

In light of the ongoing pandemic and the potential long-term health effects associated with PCC, it is crucial for employers and policymakers to reevaluate and enhance disability support systems and healthcare resources for the workforce. Individuals suffering from prolonged symptoms of LC often face significant declines in their work capacity and quality of life, with only one-third able to return to their previous working hours, and many unable to work at all.

Those who do return to work frequently experience relapses due to mental exertion and stress, necessitating further leave. Understanding the impacts of work absence and disability among employees with LC and chronic conditions is essential for developing comprehensive strategies to address these challenges and promote a resilient workforce.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 26% of Americans—approximately 61 million people—live with a disability. Factors such as poverty and mental health issues are significant predictors of disability, underscoring the importance of addressing these issues within Employer Health Programs.

Employer Notes

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) offers legal protections for employees experiencing PCC. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), PCC may be classified as a disability under the ADA if it substantially limits one or more major life activities. This designation obligates employers to provide reasonable accommodations unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the operation of their business. Possible accommodations include flexible working hours, remote work options, and adjustments to job duties.

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) also plays a crucial role in supporting employees with post-COVID-19 condition. Under the FMLA, eligible employees are entitled to up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to address serious health conditions, including symptoms related to post-COVID-19 condition. This leave can be taken continuously or intermittently, allowing employees to manage medical treatments or episodic flare-ups of their condition, but does not carry an obligation for employers to continue paying the worker for time off, and after 12 weeks, the employer has the right to terminate the worker’s employment.

Fostering a culture of communication and flexibility is essential. To support employees affected by PCC, employers can adjust work hours or modify job duties, enabling employees to better adapt to their new limitations. Given the physical discomforts associated with PCC, such as joint pain and muscle aches, implementing ergonomic workstations can offer significant relief. Emplyers can also offer support through Employee Assistance Programs(EAP). It is importnat to foster open communication with employers about individual limitations and the need for flexible arrangements can facilitate the necessary support, allowing for adjustments to responsibilities during symptom flare-ups.

PMV Resources

Consultation services focusing on Long COVID, catastrophic injuries, behavioral health, and workforce health.

  • Long COVID/Neuro COVID

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  • Behavioral Health

  • Workforce Health Programs

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Vetted Long COVID Treatment Resources

PMV workforce solutions include specialized occupational medicine consultations to address the challenges posed by Long COVID in the workplace. Request a consultation here.

For the community, PMV offers vetted resources tailored for those seeking affordable and effective treatment options. Find resources at Long COVID Treatment: Vetted Recovery Resources — ProMedView

Delainne Bond

Delainne Bond, BSN, RN, holds dual degrees in Nursing and Neuropsychology. She is the Principal Consultant with ProMedView, Founder of the covidCAREgroup, and a PRIMA Board Member with the Tampa, Florida chapter.

Recognized as a leader in clinical solutions for complex injuries and illnesses, Delainne has a broad spectrum of clinical experience including Workers’ Compensation, acute and critical care in the hospital setting, occupational medicine, and community health.

In the national Workers’ Compensation arena, Delainne is a CEU Educator, and her experience includes leadership, risk management, catastrophic case management, mass casualty incident response, critical incident management, and provider network development.

Since the event of the pandemic, Delainne has devoted her clinical expertise to researching Long COVID, offering education and resources on a global scale through the covidCAREgroup.

In addition to educating providers, clinicians, attorneys, case managers, and nurses, Delainne has published many articles about Long COVID with ~6 million views in 2022. She runs the largest clinical social media support groups in the world with followers and collaborators including physicians, clinicians, and business leaders from 110 countries.

https://www.promedview.com
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