Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Employment of People with Disabilities and Employers

This research aimed to describe how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the work status of people with disabilities (PWD) and employers involved in hiring and managing of PWD. Two cross-sectional surveys. PWD and employers involved in hiring and managing PWD, primarily in the Midwestern United States. Convenience sample of 733 PWD and 67 employers recruited through multiple sources. None. Employment consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic as experienced by PWD and employers. Among survey respondents with disabilities, 25% reported employment changes during the pandemic. Among participants reporting changes, 48% were not working, and 16% lost their jobs due to business reductions. For PWD who maintained employment, 67% reported that their work was moderately or greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. PWD reported decreased pay or financial problems (42%) resulting from furloughs, leaves, or reduced work hours (40%), working remotely more than usual (41%), and experiencing a harder time getting their work done (23%). In contrast, nearly all employers (97%) reported being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Changes included switching to virtual operations (69%), temporarily closing a business (26%), furloughing employees (25%), and laying off employees (23%). Primary reasons for business changes included concerns about the spread of COVID-19, adherence to government policies, and difficulty providing services during the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected employment of PWD as reported by workers and employers. Findings parallel the experience of the nondisabled workforce, but reveal vulnerabilities that reflect disability consequences and the need for job accommodations. Flexible work hours and opportunities to work remotely benefit PWD in particular. Policy implications reflect the benefits of flexible working hours and locations. The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Employment Consequences of COVID-19 for People with Disabilities and Employers.

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected the lives of people with disabilities (PWD). How the pandemic affects the employment of PWD and employers has yet to be determined. We aimed to investigate the employment consequences of the pandemic as experienced by PWD and employers. The research questions were: (1) What employment effects do PWD experience, and what business changes do employers encounter as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic? (2) What challenges have PWD encountered during the pandemic? Methods Cross-sectional online surveys of 733 PWD and 67 employers in the Midwestern United States. Results Compared to non-disabled peers, PWD encountered more challenges in employment during the pandemic. We found high percentages of both employers and PWD experiencing employment changes and business shutdown during the pandemic. For PWD whose employment was not affected, 14.6% of the participants (n = 107) expected a loss of income and worried about the economic uncertainty of the pandemic. Unemployment for PWD is high due to illness or disability, being laid-off or furloughed, business reductions, and not feeling safe to work. However, only about 18.6% of unemployed PWD (n = 16) received pay or benefits for the time they were not working even though more than half filed for unemployment benefits. Conclusions The pandemic adversely affected employment of PWD as reported by workers and employers. Findings parallel the experience of the non-disabled workforce, but reveal vulnerabilities that reflect disability consequences and the need for job accommodations. Results reveal emergent needs for policy supports to reduce the disparities experienced by PWD in the workplace.

Lessons Learned by Rehabilitation Counselors and Physicians in Services to COVID-19 Long-Haulers: A Qualitative Study

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may cause long-lasting adverse consequences after acute recovery, including functional limitations and reduced work capacity. Individuals with long-lasting complications of COVID-19 are known as long-haulers. There is a knowledge gap on how COVID-19 complications affect return-to-work (RTW) efforts. We aimed to describe the challenges that long-haulers encounter when RTW from the perspectives of rehabilitation professionals. In this study, four certified rehabilitation counselors and four rehabilitation physicians in outpatient rehabilitation centers participated in focus groups. Participants discussed challenges in working with long-haulers, including personal attributes, post-COVID-19 symptoms and complications, uncertain recovery and unpredictable outcomes, limited health care accessibility and support, and unsupportive work environments. Participants provide individualized services to meet long-haulers? diverse needs as they do for all persons with disabilities, although they expressed uncertainty due to the variable disease course and risk of infection. Modifying workplace policies, especially gradual RTW, were frequently mentioned accommodations. The findings highlight the RTW issues of long-haulers. We provide recommendations on increasing awareness of the challenges and job accommodations of long-haulers.

Employment Consequences of COVID-19 on "Long-Haul" Survivors

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that can cause long-lasting adverse consequences after recovery. COVID-19 can also result in functional limitations that affect daily activities and work capacity. Individuals with these lasting complications are known as long haulers. The demand for vocational services and post-acute rehabilitation is increasing and has become urgent. To address the need, we aimed to describe the challenges that individuals recovering from COVID-19 encounter when returning to work and the experiences of the healthcare professionals who assist them throughout that process. Qualitative research with focus groups. Outpatient and vocational rehabilitation (VR) clinics affiliated with a Midwest rehabilitation center. 4 VR counselors and 4 rehabilitation physicians who serve clients recovering from COVID-19. Not applicable. Not applicable. Uncertain COVID-19 recovery trajectory and unpredictable outcomes, various long-lasting symptoms, and disease complications were the three frequently mentioned challenges when returning to work. To support long haulers in regaining employment, VR counselors and physicians communicated with employers, helped clients adjust to COVID-19-related challenges, provided individualized VR support, and helped obtain or short- or long- term disability benefits. Physicians expressed uncertainty in working with patients with COVID-19 due to the unknown disease and its infectiousness. Counselors recommended various job accommodations including modifying workplace policies, flexible scheduling, changing workplace environment, and modifying job responsibilities. Both physicians and counselors recommend support groups and policy changes. Long haulers experience persisting physical, cognitive, and emotional consequences of COVID-19 infection requiring rehabilitation therapies and job accommodations. We provide recommendations to guide rehabilitation professionals in helping long haulers return to work. The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.