The Work Ability Index (WAI) is a worldwide instrument to assess the workers physical and mental capacity to perform work activities, considering the social, psychological and economic context. Work ability may have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing workers' capacity and increasing work demands. Monitoring the WAI allows the identification of possible changes in the workability and, consequently, the management of occupational health services to prevent absenteeism and early retirement.

To describe the workability of Brazilian workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in a longitudinal study with 3 years of follow-up.

Longitudinal study of the IMPPAC cohort (Implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychosocial aspects and work ability among Brazilian workers). Data from the baseline (2020) and three annual assessments (2021, 2022 and 2023) were included. The sample was composed by 1211 workers in 2020, 633 workers in 2021, 494 workers in 2022 and 467 workers in 2023. Data collection took place from June 29th to September 29th of each year. A sociodemographic and occupational questionnaire was used to obtain sex, age, marital status, education, among others. The WAI consists of seven items, with scores ranging from 7 to 49 points and classified as low (7-27 points), moderate (28-36 points), good (37-43 points) and excellent (44-49 points). Data was descriptively analyzed.

The majority of the sample was composed by women (51,9%), between 31 and 40 years old (37,3%), married (54,7%) and having completed higher education (83,2%). In 2020, 49% of workers had good, 25% had excellent, 23% moderate and 3% low workability. In 2021, 47% had good, 28% excellent, 22% moderate and 3% low workability. In 2022, 50%had good, 27% excellent, 22% moderate and 1% low workability. In 2023, 43% had good, 32% excellent, 22% moderate and 3% low workability.

Brazilian workers from different economic sectors had immediate and late impacts on occupational health during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first year there was a reduction from good to moderate, in the second year the WAI increased from good to excellent and there was a reduction in moderate frequency. In the third year of follow up there was a reduction in moderate and good frequencies and an increase in excellent.

Implications: It is necessary to implement individual and collective actions to maintain the working capacity of Brazilian workers, with a focus on those with moderate and low workability.