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The Office for National Statistics estimates that 2 million people living in private households in the UK were self-reporting symptoms of long covid.  That is around 3% of the UK population. That is a very significant number.

Of those 2 million people, it is reasonable to assume that many will have pre-existing disabilities which existed before the covid pandemic.

However, it is very likely that many more would not have regarded themselves as ‘disabled’ before contracting covid and being left with long covid symptoms. Of the many people suffering symptoms of long covid, a good number may now be ‘disabled’ within the legal definition and also be entitled to the protections the law offers to those people with disabilities.

Accordingly, the covid 19 pandemic is likely to have significantly increased the number of disabled persons and many of those affected may simply be unaware of their new status and the legal rights which they may have now acquired.

Disability was ever a tricky topic in employment law and, it seems, a number of employers have pre-conceived notions of what amounts to ‘disability’.

If you, or someone you know is experiencing work problems over long covid, or anything else, and need advice as to where you stand, legally, please contact us for an appointment. It could be money well-spent.