Prospective cohort study of workers diagnosed with COVID-19 and subsequent unemployment

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships of workers being diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and being identified as close contacts of infected persons with unemployment in Japan. Methods This was a prospective cohort study using questionnaires about COVID-19 administered to Japanese workers. A baseline survey conducted on December 22–25, 2020, was used to determine history of being diagnosed with COVID-19 or being identified as a close contact of an infected person. Unemployment since the baseline survey was ascertained with a follow-up survey on February 18 and 19, 2021. The odds ratios of unemployment were estimated using a multilevel logistic model with adjusted covariates nested in prefecture of residence. Results Women ( n = 8,771) accounted for 44% of the total sample ( n = 19,941), and the mean age was 48.0 years. In terms of unemployment because of negative reasons, the multivariate analysis showed that the odds ratio of unemployment associated with being diagnosed with COVID-19 was 2.18 (95% CI: 1.05–4.55) and that the odds ratio associated with being identified as a close contact was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.29–2.95). Conclusions There is an association between workers being diagnosed with COVID-19 and unemployment. Occupational health professionals should follow up closely with workers diagnosed with COVID-19 after they return to work to prevent them from becoming unemployed against their will.