Rejected petition Long COVID (Prolonged COVID symptoms) to be included under the Equality Act.

Rejected on 9 November 2021

Latest Government figures revealed that nearly 400,000 people have been living with symptoms of long Covid for a year or more. Symptoms include fatigue, brain fog and shortness of breath. These people need to be protected in their employment.

Long COVID should be automatically recognised as a disability under the Equality Act so that employers do not unfairly dismiss employees and they are protected from discrimination and have a legal right to reasonable adjustments like longer rest breaks and flexible hours/duties.

Why was this petition rejected?

We can't publish petitions when the request is something that's already happening or something that has been announced since you started your petition.

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The Government's guidance on disability under the Equality Act 2010 states that you’re disabled if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities:
https://www.gov.uk/definition-of-disability-under-equality-act-2010

It is therefore already the case that under the Equality Act, anyone with a physical or a mental condition which has a substantial and long-term impact on your ability to do normal day to day activities is protected under the disability protected characteristic. This could cover people who have long Covid, where this has a a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on their ability to do normal daily activities.

You can read more about disability rights at work here: https://www.gov.uk/rights-disabled-person/employment

We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.