Fact Service June 2021

Issue 24

Teachers’ union announces long Covid initiative

Teachers’ union the NASUWT is launching a campaign for long Covid to be legally recognised as a disability under the Equality Act 2010.

It is calling for reasonable adjustments, flexible working and financial compensation for teachers left unable to work as a result of contracting Covid at work.

NASUWT general secretary Dr Patrick Roach said: “More teachers could still be vulnerable to developing this condition and find themselves unable to work, at threat of financial hardship and without sufficient legal protections.

“No teacher experiencing long Covid should be forced to live in this fear. The government needs to consider regulations that ensure access to ill-health retirement provision for those with long Covid.

“Ministers must, as a matter of urgency, provide financial compensation for all teachers, including supply teachers, where their careers have been impacted due to Covid-19.”

https://www.nasuwt.org.uk/article-listing/campaign-to-recognise-long-covid-as-a-disability.html