The New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF) has released a new resource to help employers better understand and support employees affected by Long COVID, a complex condition that can persist for weeks, months, or even years following an initial COVID-19 infection.
The educational pamphlet outlines the most common symptoms of Long COVID, including ongoing fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and respiratory issues, which can significantly impact an individual’s ability to work. The resource also encourages employers to recognize the prevalence of Long COVID and offers strategies to assist affected workers, such as filing workers’ compensation claims for those who contracted COVID-19 on the job.
“Long COVID and its effects impact workers, employers, and the economy,” said Gaurav Vasisht, NYSIF’s executive director and CEO. He emphasized that the new publication aims to help businesses understand the risks posed by Long COVID, how to mitigate those risks, and how to support affected employees.
The document is the latest in a series of initiatives from NYSIF aimed at addressing Long COVID. In January 2023, the agency published a report analyzing more than 3,100 workers’ compensation claims related to COVID-19. The findings revealed that nearly one-third of those claimants developed Long COVID, with 18% of those affected unable to return to work for more than a year.
The publication also follows NYSIF’s hosting of a panel on the broader impacts of Long COVID on the workforce. Experts discussed how the condition is affecting workers’ lives, including their ability to maintain employment, and highlighted the importance of supporting affected individuals in the workplace.
In addition to these initiatives, NYSIF has collaborated with other state agencies to offer guidance on the appropriate use of International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes in workers’ compensation cases related to Long COVID. Despite the introduction of a dedicated ICD code for Long COVID in October 2021, the code has been underutilized, according to NYSIF’s research.
Public health officials praised NYSIF’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness of Long COVID and its impact on the workforce. “People suffering from the impact of Long COVID face particular challenges in the workplace,” said New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. He added that the new publication is “a step toward helping employers understand the wide range of complex symptoms and limitations associated with Long COVID.”
Labour leaders also stressed the importance of providing support for workers affected by the condition. Roberta Reardon, commissioner of the New York State Department of Labor, described Long COVID’s impact on the workforce as “profound and far-reaching,” while Mario Cilento, president of the New York State AFL-CIO, noted that many workers are still struggling with the long-term effects of COVID-19.
“We commend NYSIF for transforming its groundbreaking research on Long COVID into actionable guidance for employers around the state to safeguard workers and help those coping with illness,” Cilento said.
NYSIF, which is New York State’s largest workers’ compensation insurer, covers more than 2 million workers and insures 200,000 employers across the state. The agency’s mission includes ensuring access to workers’ compensation and other insurance options at competitive rates while maintaining a solvent fund.