Acas have released information on how sickness and absence policies apply when an employee is absent from work due to Long Covid.
More information about sickness absence and sick pay and the symptoms of long Covid.
What the employer should do
If someone is off sick, they might feel isolated or need support to return to work. Employers should:
agree how and when to make contact during any absence
make sure their work is covered and shared out appropriately while they’re off
talk about ways to support them as they return to work
When the employee feels able to return to work
Employers should talk with the employee about any support they may need, for example:
getting an occupational health assessment
making changes to the workplace or to how the employee works ('reasonable adjustments'), such as different working hours
a phased return to work
what they want to tell others at work about their illness
If an employee is struggling to do their job
If an employer feels the employee is not able to do their work or is taking a lot of absence, they should see if they can do anything to help. For example, a further occupational health assessment to find out if more support is needed.
They should make sure they have done everything they can before considering a capability procedure. If an employer dismisses an employee without first carrying out a full and fair disciplinary or capability procedure, the employee could make a claim of unfair dismissal to an employment tribunal.
