One in four UK workers say long Covid is main reason for extended sick leave

One in four British workers who have taken time off work with illness have reported long Covid is the main reason for their prolonged sick leave, a survey has revealed.

The research, encompassing 804 organisations that represent more than 4.3 employees, showed nearly half (46 per cent) of firms had workers that experienced symptoms of long Covid.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), a human resources group, which carried out the questionnaire, said companies should do more to support employees with the condition.

The NHS says long Covid symptoms include extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, dizziness, concentration and memory problems, joint pain and low moods, among others. CIPD’s survey showed 26 per cent of employees had listed the condition as a cause for long-term absence.

Fatigue is a common symptom of long Covid. Getty Images

Rachel Suff, senior policy adviser for employment relations at the CIPD, said long Covid “remains a growing issue that employers need to be aware of, and they should take appropriate steps to support employees with the condition”.

Her call comes as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson remains determined to steer millions away from Covid-19 restrictions. In January, he declined to extend measures aimed at curbing the spread of Omicron. Backbench MPs in his own party called for the rules to be rolled back and welcomed his decision to scrap face mask requirements and a working-from-home order.

Quarantine and travel testing rules were also eased for vaccinated travellers. The government’s decision to take a less-severe stance on tackling Covid-19 came after scientists said Omicron was less severe than initially thought.

But despite the lifting of restrictions, Britain is still averaging around 80,000 coronavirus cases each day.

Britain has reported nearly 18 million infections overall, and the Office for National Statistics estimates that at the start of the year, 1.3 million people were living with self-reported symptoms of long Covid. Mild cases of the virus can still lead to the debilitating condition.

In January, an expert said it could take a person with long Covid up to three years to fully recover from the condition.

The CIPD said a fifth of employers didn't know whether their workers were experiencing ongoing symptoms following a Covid-19 infection, and only 19 per cent provided guidance for employees about managing health conditions while at work.

"There's a risk that those who experience ongoing long Covid symptoms may not get the support they need in the workplace and could even fall out of work," Ms Suff said

Important questions to consider

1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?

There are different types of travel available for pets:

Manifest cargo
Excess luggage in the hold
Excess luggage in the cabin

Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.

2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?

If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.

If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.

3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?

As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.

If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.

If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.

4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?

This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.

In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.

5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?

Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.

Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.

Source: Pawsome Pets UAE