Dickson Voices His Concern for Workers Battling the Effects of Long-Covid

East Antrim Alliance MLA, Stewart Dickson, is growing increasingly worried about the provisions available for supporting workers suffering the impacts of long-covid.

Mr Dickson said: “Approximately 1.1 million people in the United Kingdom are suffering from the effects of long-covid. These effects are different for every individual but can be extremely debilitating, interfering in both work and family life.

“With the vaccine rollout proving extremely successful, I have started to ask questions about how long-covid sufferers are faring in the workplace.

“In response to my questions, the Minister for the Economy, in consultation with the Minister for Health, informed me that the executive is still at the very early stages of understanding the long-term effects of covid, and consequently, what the best methods and systems of treatment are. I was told that the Health and Social Care Board has been developing costed proposals since December of last year, which have now been submitted to the Department for Health for consideration. The next step is to finalise and approve the service model, before rapidly deploying the service across NI.

“I appreciate the two Minister’s taking the time to answer my questions, but am concerned that whilst the executive is still at the early stages of understanding the illness, we are also far from understating just how many people in Northern Ireland are struggling.”

In responding specifically to Mr Dickson’s question about long-covid in the workplace, the Minister for the Economy explained that he would expect employers to conduct themselves sensitively and with a fair mind-set.

Mr Dickson said: “The Minister’s advice is that employees should consult their GP or another health care professional, such as an occupational therapist, to discuss how their symptoms impact on their job, and how the work affects their symptoms.

“In turn, employers must follow their own sick absence policy and any relevant disability discrimination guidelines, as well as being open to discussions on what practical steps or adjustments the employee may require.

“Whilst these suggestions seem quite general, I do appreciate that the impacts of long-covid are still quite unknown, and are empirically inconsistent, meaning every case must be dealt with separately and in context.”

Mr Dickson concluded by saying that: “I will continue to follow the work and policy proposals of both the Department for Health, and the Department for the Economy, to ensure that the right protections are in place for the workers of Northern Ireland suffering from long-covid.”

Employees who believe they are being treated or dismissed unfairly may be able to complain to an Industrial Tribunal. Anyone who finds themselves in this position may wish to consider contacting the Labour Relations Agency - Workplace Information Service on 03300 555 300 for confidential and impartial information.

In addition, the Law Centre NI provides free, independent, specialist legal advice (subject to capacity) on employment rights. The Law Centre can be contacted on their advice line on 028 9024 4401 or by email: employmentadvice@lawcentreni.org.