How to Stop Long COVID from Harming Your Business

Nov 20, 2023

If you were running a business during the COVID-19 pandemic, you’ll know only too well how it negatively affected your business. According to the Economics Observatory, businesses in the UK reported a massive 30% drop in sales between 2020 and 2022 due to the virus and measures to contain it.

Although many businesses have recovered or even increased their sales and productivity, enhanced their diversity and inclusion policies and improved their wellness initiatives in the years since then, the same cannot be said for many employees.

Why? Because they are left struggling with long COVID (also known as post COVID-19 Syndrome) which can impact their energy levels, focus, creativity, health and ability to perform at their best.

Today I’d like to explain to you what long COVID is, why your female team members are more likely to experience it and, most importantly, what we can do to support our employees and ensure continued business success.

What is Long COVID (Post COVID-19 Syndrome)?

Long COVID is a new syndrome that is still being studied by scientists and experts across the world. It happens when someone contracts the COVID-19 virus yet doesn’t completely recover, even months or years afterwards, even if their infection was relatively mild.

It can cause a wide range of new symptoms including:

Chronic pain
Tiredness or intense fatigue that interferes with daily life
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Cough or chest pain
Heart palpitations
Brain fog (an inability to think clearly or concentrate)
Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental effort
Fever
Headache
Sleep problems
Dizziness when you stand up (lightheadedness)
Pins-and-needles feelings
Change in smell or taste
Depression or anxiety
Diarrhea
Stomach pain
Joint or muscle pain
Rash
Changes in menstrual cycles

Given this huge list, it’s understandable that employees with long COVID often struggle to stay focused and productive and manage the demands of their working lives. They get tired more easily, struggle with their symptoms and could take time off work or resign for health reasons.

Why are women more likely to develop long COVID?

The scientific community is still uncertain why certain people develop long COVID after contracting the virus.

However, the majority of sufferers are young and female, according to an early report from 2020. In this report, researchers discovered that the average age was around 40 and that women outnumbered men four to one.

While this may seem surprising, it’s nothing new when it comes to infectious diseases. Women are also four times more likely to suffer from ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) or CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), also conditions that are believed to be triggered by a virus.

Our T-cells (those that seek out and destroy virus-infected cells) appear to be more active in women than men during the early stages of infection, according to a study by the Yale School of Medicine in the US, potentially triggering chronic inflammation, leading to pain, fatigue and brain fog.

What’s worse, it can also trigger autoimmune diseases like type one diabetes, lupus, thyroid disease and certain types of arthritis.

This is especially likely if the female in question is already experiencing the natural hormonal changes of perimenopause or menopause or their brain function is already compromised due to having endometriosis or Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

How does long COVID-19 impact work performance?

Clearly, if your employee is suffering with Long COVID, it’s much harder for them to perform optimally at work.

Usually suffering from extreme fatigue and brain fog, they can struggle to meet the normal demands of work and life, feeling totally exhausted and overwhelmed at the end of the working day.

This can affect their memory, ability to learn, reaction time, and their ability to find the right words to communicate. What makes matters worse is that the symptoms of Long COVID often fluctuate, making it hard to predict how your employees will feel on any given day.

This takes its toll on their mental health, too, and they can often experience anxiety and depression from feeling this ‘disabled’ and not being able to perform as they otherwise would, through no fault of their own.

As a result, their productivity levels decline, their workplace satisfaction decreases, and they might start to take time off work or even leave their position altogether, believing that they can no longer effectively contribute to the success of the organisation.

If left unaddressed, this can hugely affect the success of your business long after the initial COVID-19 outbreak.

What can employers do to help?

If you recognise the signs of long COVID in your employees and are concerned that it could impact your business performance, there are many steps you can take to help. Here is what I recommend.

1. Be understanding

Long COVID remains relatively misunderstood which can make dealing with the symptoms distressing so your support will go a long way to helping them resume happy and productive lives. Even if this is just providing a listening ear or encouraging them to seek professional help, simply being there for them will make a big difference to the individual while reinforcing positive company culture.

2. Be flexible

Wherever possible, allow your employees to modify their working arrangements so they can continue to be productive and part of your organisation.

If they need to change their schedule, take on a different role, attend healthcare appointments or even take extended breaks, allow them to do so. This will provide them with the best chance for recovery, show that you value and support your employee and help them deal with their symptoms more effectively.

3. Be kind

Suffering from long COVID (or symptoms of perimenopause or any other health condition) isn’t a sign of weakness or failure, even if your employees believe that it is. Make sure you foster a culture of open communication, encouraging your employees to come forward if they are experiencing problems so they can get the help they need. Treat them with empathy and understanding.

4. Be helpful

Whenever possible, provide the information that your employees need to deal with their symptoms, whether this is visiting their GP or sharing information regarding Long COVID and how it can impact their physical, mental and emotional health.

I successfully treated myself for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome many years ago (also believed to be triggered by a virus by focusing on taking nutritional supplements, eating real food, focusing on my mindset and getting tested. I have also treated many clients struggling with either Long Covid, CFS, Fibromyalgia, or autoimmune diseases such as Lupus taking the same approach. And you could help your employees recover from Long COVID with my SMART formula for optimal health. Why not encourage them to try?

Summary

Long COVID remains a syndrome that is largely misunderstood by the medical system despite advances made over the last few years.

However, we do now understand that women are four times more likely to develop Long COVID than men, perhaps due to their immune response. If they are already experiencing symptoms of perimenopause or have high levels of inflammation in their bodies, they are even more likely to develop symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog and chronic pain that affect their performance at work.

Having said that, if employers can be supportive and flexible, encourage employees to communicate their struggles, and offer potential help, your employees with Long COVID can better manage their symptoms and continue to be productive in the workplace.

By doing this, you won’t only protect the future of your business but also demonstrate that you are an organisation that genuinely values its employees.