According to the union, among the reasons employees returned to work before they felt well enough were anxiety, fear, and “shockingly bad” treatment from managers.

Research presented at the union’s annual health conference in Liverpool provides a snapshot of the difficulties that frontline staff with long Covid face when attempting to return to work.

In a larger survey of health workers, 1,900 people reported having or still having long Covid symptoms, including healthcare assistants, nurses, porters, and clinical support staff.

More than two-thirds (68%) were back at work despite symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, brain fog, and aching joints.

8% of those polled have been so ill that they have been unable to return to work at all. Almost a quarter (24%) say they have fully recovered.

Ineffective management.

Almost one-tenth (9%) have been summoned to a formal absence hearing, and 2% have been threatened with disciplinary action or even dismissal.

Unison is advocating for long Covid to be recognised and treated as a disability so that employees can receive the necessary support.

“Long Covid must be seen and treated as a disability so that staff with the condition are protected and supported to return to work,” said Sara Gorton, head of health. Some health workers are being punished for being sick and face being forced out of the health care system at a time when they are most needed.

“The fact that so many NHS employees are back at work despite still being sick demonstrates their commitment to their jobs.” However, some are likely to return too soon because they are afraid that managers will turn against them if they take the time needed to fully recover. This is certainly not how you treat employees who have given their all to get the country through the pandemic.

“Health leaders must recognize the impact of poor long-term care management on retention and take immediate action.”