{"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/600523.json"},"data":{"type":"archived-petition","id":600523,"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Long COVID (Prolonged COVID symptoms) to be included under the Equality Act.","background":"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.","additional_details":"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.","committee_note":null,"state":"rejected","signature_count":6,"created_at":"2021-11-04T19:25:14.200Z","updated_at":"2021-11-09T11:43:24.913Z","rejected_at":"2021-11-09T11:43:09.496Z","opened_at":null,"closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2021-11-04T21:23:48.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":null,"government_response_at":null,"debate_threshold_reached_at":null,"debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"rejection":{"code":"already-happening","details":"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:\r\nhttps://www.gov.uk/definition-of-disability-under-equality-act-2010\r\n\r\nIt 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.\r\n\r\nYou can read more about disability rights at work here: https://www.gov.uk/rights-disabled-person/employment"},"government_response":null,"debate":null,"departments":[],"topics":[]}}}