Returning to the Workplace After COVID-19

Two practical guides have been published by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) to help employers and employees work together in returning to the workplace after COVID-19.

Each guide provides simple advice on maintaining communication during sickness leave, back-to-work interviews, temporary adjustments to working hours or duties, and where to seek help.

‘COVID-19 infection and Long COVID – guide for workers’ explains the challenges faced by employees returning to work after suffering from COVID-19, including those experiencing longer-term symptoms, also known as long COVID.

This guide addresses keeping in contact with the employer, managing a phased return, and support offered by occupational health services.

The guide is designed to help those in a job and those looking for work or starting a new job.

‘COVID-19 infection and Long COVID – guide for managers’ offers simple advice for employers and employees returning to the workplace and acknowledges the vital role managers play in supporting employees returning to work after COVID-19. It also outlines steps employers should take to give employees the best chance of staying at work.

The guide addresses contacting the employee, arranging a phased return, discussing adjustments to the employee’s duties and schedules to enable them to cope, and support offered by occupational health services and human resources.

Workers will require different levels of support depending on their role and ongoing symptoms, so employers are encouraged to listen to employees’ needs and check in regularly.

According to EU-OSHA, working together means workers can get back on their feet and managers can get valued team members back into the workplace.