The impact isn't being felt solely by employers scrambling to find workers. The total economic costs translate into at least $168 billion a year in lost earnings, or roughly 1% of the total gross domestic product, and it could keep rising.
, which found 24.1% of those who had Covid eventually developed long Covid. Of that group, 25.9% said long Covid had affected their employment or work hours. Those long-haulers are less likely to be fully employed and are far more likely to work reduced hours. She noted long Covid can be recognized as a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act, and employers must ensure that their manager are trained to address requests for accommodations. If not, it can expose the company to legal liability.
“It has become evident that Covid will never be eradicated and is becoming endemic in our society. Employers must be aware and prepared. We need to learn the lessons from Covid and accept that employers have a responsibility both morally and legally to employees when suffering from a debilitating condition. Business owners still have a business to run and need employees to operate the business — a little good will can go a long way with the team,” Cirillo said.