Background Long Covid (symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 persisting for 12+ weeks after infection) is a fluctuating, unpredictable condition involving a diverse range of symptoms and multiple physiological systems. Quantitative research suggests that people with Long Covid require prolonged periods off work and highlights the need for closer examination of their employment experiences and needs. The aim of this qualitative paper is to examine the impact of Long Covid on the working lives of UK adults and identify ways that employers and colleagues can support their return to employment.

Methods Qualitative narrative interviews (n=63) were conducted via online video call or telephone, between April 2021 and July 2022, with adults with Long Covid living in the UK. Recruitment routes included social media, support groups, clinicians, community groups and snowballing. We aimed for maximum variation sampling, to capture diversity by age, gender, ethnicity, geographical location, and social class. Thematic analysis was used to inductively code the data. After familiarisation with transcripts, a team of researchers developed a coding framework of broad themes which was refined throughout the coding process. QSR NVivo 20 software was used to aid organisation and coding of data.

Results Our analysis identified five key themes: 1) The impact of Long Covid on ability to work; 2) The impact of returning to work on Long Covid symptoms; 3) Helpful and unhelpful employer and colleague responses; 4) Changes at work to help manage Long Covid and 5) Uncertainty about work in the future. Participants reported ways that Long Covid symptoms, such as fatigue and brain fog, made many tasks at work extremely challenging. In turn, many spoke of returning to work too soon and their health and symptoms deteriorating as a result. They often experienced ignorance or uncertainty about Long Covid from employers and reported an apparent absence of HR or occupational health policies equipped to deal with its unpredictable and variable nature. Some participants tried to make changes to their job role and/or hours to try and manage work alongside symptoms, foregoing many other aspects of their lives, while others expressed uncertainty and concern about whether they would ever make a full return to employment.

Conclusion Our analysis identified the significant impact Long Covid has on people’s working lives. It highlights a need to raise awareness of Long Covid among employers and to adapt existing HR and occupational health policies to take account of this new, unpredictable and debilitating condition.