US DOL Seeks Public Input on Long COVID

The U.S. Department of Labor is inviting the public to participate in an online dialogue about the workplace challenges related to long COVID – a condition where those infected by COVID experience new or lingering symptoms over weeks or months. Such symptoms can include shortness of breath, fatigue, brain fog, heart palpitations, headaches, anxiety, depression, and more.

As we previously discussed in our July 2021 E-Update, the Biden administration has asserted that long COVID may be a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This means that employers must not discriminate against employees with that condition and may need to provide reasonable accommodations to enable them to perform their essential job functions or to enjoy equal privileges and benefits of employment, absent an undue hardship.

The DOL is asking the public – which includes employers – to share their experiences and insights on long COVID, in order to determine how to better support both workers and employers in the context of the laws that it enforces, including the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act. Those who are interested in participating may visit https://longcovidatwork.ideascale.com/.