The surge in Covid infections due to the easily transmitted variant of Kraken has heightened fears that more people will find their lives and finances ravaged by prolonged Covid.
New figures from the Office for National Statistics show that more than two million people in the UK are now reporting long-term symptoms of Covid, including fatigue, difficulty concentrating, shortness of breath and muscle pain.
Nearly a third of them say they have been battling symptoms for more than two years, and many of them are forced to take several months off.
Some employers are more understanding than others, and when companies provide only the minimum financial support required by law, the financial pressure can become overwhelming.
Dr. Julie Denning of Work To Wellbeing, a health service that helps people with chronic illnesses get back to work, says workers are increasingly facing severe financial hardship due to prolonged Covid.
“We often saw people go back to work before they had fully recovered or had their symptoms under control in order to get paid,” she says.
“People in this situation often spend all their energy at the expense of other areas of life and spend most of their time in complete exhaustion. This leads to cycles of work and non-work.”
The last thing you want to worry about when you’re sick is money, but a drop in income for the long-term unemployed can be catastrophic.
“Long-term illness can have a significant impact on a person’s ability to work and, therefore, their financial situation,” says the doctor. Denning.
What rights do I have in case of a longer absence?
Few employers offer perpetual sickness benefit, and most of them limit the number of days an employee can use each year before they fail to meet their statutory sickness benefit.
Under the scheme, companies must pay a minimum of £99.35 per week to employees who are unable to work due to illness for up to 28 weeks.
Employers are also required to make “reasonable accommodations” for workers with chronic illnesses, such as: B. Reducing working hours for an agreed period.
However, when extended periods of Covid lead to extended absences, companies may stop paying employees, and in some cases, an employer has the right to fire an employee who has been absent for an extended period.
What should I do if my income drops?
Given the lack of consistent financial support from employers under current law, there is little help for those struggling with longstanding Covid and money issues.
There are several things you can do if you are having problems.
First, don’t try to do it alone.
There are several services that offer free and confidential support to anyone worried about money or debt, including Burgeradvies, StepChange, Nationale Schuldlijn, Stichting Schuldadvies and PayPlan.
Resist the temptation of ads offering debt settlement for a fee—you don’t have to spend money to get help.
Debt counselors from any of the free services can recommend the best way to get your finances back on track.
What help is there?
If your employer stops paying statutory sickness benefits, you may be eligible for employment assistance (ESA), personal independence assistance (PIP), universal credit, and other benefits.
Under the changed rules, you can apply for an ESA up to three months before your sickness benefit due date, which is recommended by Citizens Advisor as the process can take some time.
The government has also rolled out a post-COVID scheme called Breathing Space, which gives you temporary protection from creditors you owe money to if you’re struggling with debt.
Debt Relief StepChange also offers a short-term Covid payment plan for people who just need a little more time and a little more patience to resume full repayments on their debt accumulated during the pandemic.
If things get a little more complicated, you can get more help in the form of grants.
The Household Support Fund provides financial support for everyday expenses, including utility bills, broadband access, phone bills, clothing, and basic travel expenses. If you live in England, check with your local authorities to see if you qualify.
Similar schemes exist in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: the Scottish Welfare Fund, the Welsh Discretionary Assistance Fund and the Northern Ireland Social Fund. Again, check with your municipality to see if you are eligible.
Local assistance may also be an option. This provides people considered vulnerable with emergency funds to pay for essentials, for example. B. If your boiler breaks down or you need help paying your bills.
Will long-term support for Covid improve?
Rachel Saff, senior advisor for social welfare and employee relations at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, says she is “deeply concerned” about the prevalence of long-term Covid among working-age adults.
“The long-term health effects of Covid, absenteeism and absenteeism, and early exit from the labor market are worrisome,” she says.
“There is a serious gap in understanding and support for workers affected by prolonged Covid.”
Last July, Terrence Burke, a caretaker living in Scotland, sued his employer and won after claiming for a long time that Covid was a disability and that he had been fired by mistake.
However, this decision does not mean that other employers should follow suit. The TUC has repeatedly called on the government to ensure that any person with a long-term Covid disability is recognized under the Equality Act.
Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the TUC, argued that this would give them the support they needed to continue working and provide formal employment protection.
“Economic inactivity increases almost 10 times faster in people with long-term Covid than in people without illness. And older workers suffer the most,” she says.
“Pulmonary Covid should also be recognized as an occupational disease. This will give workers the right to protection and compensation if they contract the virus at work.
“It is outrageous that more than two and a half years after the initial lockdown, the workers who helped our country weather the pandemic are still not receiving support.”
The Advice, Mediation and Arbitration Service has issued guidelines that say: “Employers should focus on the reasonable accommodations they can make, not on determining whether an employee’s condition is a disability.”
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has also issued guidance to employers regarding their legal obligations to support employees suffering from long-term Covid illness, including those with disabilities caused by the illness.
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.