Changing Currents 2023 – Panel Preview: Long COVID Symptoms in the Workplace

» “Changing Currents in Employment Law” will take place on October 25, 2023. Click here for more details and registration options.

(Transcribed and edited lightly by The Employment Law Group)

R. Scott Oswald:Welcome to our preview of this year’s “Changing Currents in Employment Law,” the D.C. Bar’s three-hour fast-paced fall CLE covering cutting edge topics in employment law.

I’m Scott Oswald. I am faculty chair of “Changing Currents in Employment Law,” and I am joined by Nathaniel Glasser, who co-leads the law firm of Epstein Becker & Green’s COVID-19 Compliance practice group.

Nathaniel, hello!

Nathaniel M. Glasser: Good afternoon.

Oswald: You’re speaking on a panel entitled “The Long Haul: Accommodating ‘Brain Fog’ and Other Long COVID Symptoms in the Workplace.”

We know that upwards of 23 million Americans suffer from long COVID. Tell us a little bit about your panel and your co-panelists.

Glasser: Thanks, Scott. As you said, millions of Americans still suffer the effects of what’s being called long COVID, which is essentially an amorphous set of symptoms that linger after a COVID-19 infection. Many of these individuals may find it hard to perform their jobs. Our panel is going to discuss the implications of long COVID in the workplace, how it relates to the Americans with Disabilities Act, and give some tips and tricks for employers and employees for engaging in the interactive process when it comes to matters of long COVID.

I practice exclusively management-side employment law, and throughout the pandemic, I’ve counseled employers on developing COVID policies and protocols, including how to address requests for reasonable accommodation under the ADA or Title VII — particularly when it comes to COVID-19.

My co-panelist, Yaida Ford, is a trial lawyer who represents employees in civil rights matters. She was one of those few people who went to the office every day to manage COVID. So, I think together we’re going to bring insight from both the employee and the employer perspective as to how to address these issues.

Oswald: So, you’ve kind of driven into this subject and thought about the panel and what you might talk about. If I’m in the audience, what are one or two things that I might take away from the panel?

Glasser: We expect attendees of our panel to gain a better understanding of long COVID, the types of symptoms, and how those symptoms may interfere with job performance and to learn how to best engage in the interactive process when that underlying diagnosis is long COVID. Then in addition to all that, they’ll gain an understanding of the various types of accommodations that may be available and suitable for people with long COVID.

Oswald: Nathaniel, it sounds terrific. Thank you.

We look forward to seeing each of you on Wednesday, October 25th, 2023, either in-person or virtually for this year’s 2023 D.C. Bar’s “Changing Currents in Employment Law.”

We look forward to seeing you then.

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R. Scott Oswald is managing principal of The Employment Law Group, P.C. Nathaniel M. Glasser is an attorney at Epstein Becker & Green, P.C., and co-leads the firm’s COVID-19 Compliance practice group.

» “Changing Currents in Employment Law” will take place on October 25, 2023. Click here for more details and registration options.