Returning to work

[ChevronB19]

I’ve been off sick for 3 months and am returning to work tomorrow. Any tips?

I’m actually a bit scared about the avalanche of ‘stuff’ that will (has) built up in my absence - if it helps it’s public sector, and a highly responsible/technical job at a fairly high level, not management (thank god).

Tips welcome!

[g3org3y]

Are you going back into it as you left or is it some kind of phased return or amended duties situation?

[some bloke]

Are you doing a phased return? Were you off because of stress?
If so, what is your employer going to change in the future so it doesn't happen?

I'd spend the first couple of hours triaging your inbox, cull the crap and prioritise the rest. It will take a while to get back in the swing of things, just ease back in.

[Gary29]

I'd treat the first day like the first day at a brand new job, ease in gently, I wouldn't be planning on doing any actual productive work, just setting up workstation and surrounding area etc, doing an aggressive sift through emails and weeding out anything that isn't truly critical. Surely someone has been picking up the slack if you've been away for 12 weeks. Don't overthink it or get stressed. Make a short 'to do' list of the highest priority things, and then sleep on it.

The second day I'd actually start working through the list.

[ChevronB19]

Thanks for responses.

I will be going back full time with the exception of having Monday off for the next couple of weeks. Yes, I was off for stress (actually mainly home stress, but work stress was the straw on the camel - home stuff now sorted out). I think we have a thing called ‘employee passport’ so I expect to be put through to Occ. Health for an appointment.

Inbox triage is on the list, as is a suitable group email thanking people for covering for me (without any medical details). I just need to work out how to regain motivation and get in a project rather than do loads of the admin that has built up I guess.

[some bloke]

Can I contact you via DM? I have been through something similar recently

[ChevronB19]

some bloke said:

Can I contact you via DM? I have been through something similar recently

Go for it, many thanks!

[some bloke]

Sent - I hope it is helpful.

[Downward]

ChevronB19 said:

Thanks for responses.

I will be going back full time with the exception of having Monday off for the next couple of weeks. Yes, I was off for stress (actually mainly home stress, but work stress was the straw on the camel - home stuff now sorted out). I think we have a thing called ‘employee passport’ so I expect to be put through to Occ. Health for an appointment.

Inbox triage is on the list, as is a suitable group email thanking people for covering for me (without any medical details). I just need to work out how to regain motivation and get in a project rather than do loads of the admin that has built up I guess.

Classed as long term sickness so you should be on a phased return of reduced hours.

[Siko]

Hi Chevron - glad to hear things are better now

I had extended time off for cancer treatments various and in the end was desperate to get back to work rather than sitting around staring at the walls. I went back part time first of all for 3 days a week after about 2 months off and then fulltime again a month after that. I found going back part-time helped a lot rather than just jumping straight in. Best of luck and hope it goes ok.

[Mr.Chips]

If you are public sector then you should definitely have been offered a phased return. However, that in itself, can be a double edged sword. In 2011, as a public sector employee, I was off work for three months with stress, caused by work. When I was feeling better, I negotiated a phased return, over a period of a month. When I returned, it was soon obvious that nothing had been done to address the issues causing me stress in the first place. As a consequence, during the third week of the phased return, I became stressed and so went off sick again. This was deemed by my employers to be a “failed phased return,” and they then started proceedings against me, with a view to dismissal. In the end, I went without being pushed as the line-manager causing my issues was “golden-balls,” and considered untouchable.
As a postscript, after 12 months, I was asked to go back and help them out. As money was tight, I did and ended up staying there until I retired in 2019. Golden-balls had left by then, after leaving the department in the st. I could have said, “I told you so,” but I didn’t.
OP, I hope you feel better and that your phased return goes well.

[FazerBoy]

During a phased return to work I assume that an employee would get paid on a pro-rata basis - is that right?

Or would a decent employer put the employee back on a full salary but nonetheless allow them to gradually build back up to a full- time return?

[halo34]

FazerBoy said:

During a phased return to work I assume that an employee would get paid on a pro-rata basis - is that right?

Or would a decent employer put the employee back on a full salary but nonetheless allow them to gradually build back up to a full- time return?

Depends on the sick leave - in Public sector usually generous. So phasing would be part salary part sick - down to employer though.

[ChevronB19]

FazerBoy said:

During a phased return to work I assume that an employee would get paid on a pro-rata basis - is that right?

Or would a decent employer put the employee back on a full salary but nonetheless allow them to gradually build back up to a full- time return?

I’ve been on full salary for 3 months (max is 6 months). If I choose a phased return it will be on full salary (I appreciate I am lucky here).

[FazerBoy]

ChevronB19 said:

I’ve been on full salary for 3 months (max is 6 months). If I choose a phased return it will be on full salary (I appreciate I am lucky here).

Yes, that does sound very nice, and means that at least financial worries aren’t adding to your stress.

I’ve returned to work after long-term sickness for four months (a combination of physical illness and psychological overwhelm), and although I’m now ready for full-time work and have been assessed as such by the doctor my employer sent me to for assessment, my employer has taken me back part-time (and on a pro-rata salary) against my will.

It’s in the private sector and I’ve put my heart and soul into this job for over thirty years with virtually no sick leave. I’m livid about the way I’ve been treated. It’s a very small family-owned company (not my family!) so there are no policies in place as such.

[alscar]

ChevronB19 said:

I’ve been on full salary for 3 months (max is 6 months). If I choose a phased return it will be on full salary (I appreciate I am lucky here).

About a decade ago now but I was off work for a period of about 4 months.
I was “ lucky “ in that I had my work mobile with me which meant I could keep up with emails etc and some of my team came over to see me a few times with stuff that needed me to look at.
The occupational doctor said on my return it was to be phased so in reality that meant 2 days a week , then 3 then 4 over that 3 week period with each day being shorter than previously I had done prior to being off.
There was no question of it being at anything less than my previous salary.
Good luck with your return.

[alscar]

FazerBoy said:

Yes, that does sound very nice, and means that at least financial worries aren’t adding to your stress.

I’ve returned to work after long-term sickness for four months (a combination of physical illness and psychological overwhelm), and although I’m now ready for full-time work and have been assessed as such by the doctor my employer sent me to for assessment, my employer has taken me back part-time (and on a pro-rata salary) against my will.

It’s in the private sector and I’ve put my heart and soul into this job for over thirty years with virtually no sick leave. I’m livid about the way I’ve been treated. It’s a very small family-owned company (not my family!) so there are no policies in place as such.

Yes that doesn’t sound a nice thing to have happen - hope your recovery isn’t impacted by this in terms of your thoughts.
Has the company said this is for a limited period though ?

[Xenoous]

Hope your first day back has gone ok! Good luck finding your feet again.

[FazerBoy]

alscar said:

Yes that doesn’t sound a nice thing to have happen - hope your recovery isn’t impacted by this in terms of your thoughts.
Has the company said this is for a limited period though ?

It’s until June. It certainly isn’t good for my mental health and stress levels.

[redrabbit29]

Gary29 said:

doing an aggressive sift through emails

Yes to this. In fact, I would even be tempted to basically delete all emails that were sent 4+ weeks ago (with a quick read that they're not interesting or important).

To emphasise aggressive... if someone has asked:

Hi Dave, can you send over... and this was sent 4+ weeks ago then delete and burn it.

My attitude would be to treat it like a non-work introductory day as others describe. Be upbeat, no actual work except getting set up again, be chilled, no one should be expecting anything from you in that first day or few days at least.