Returning to the workplace after a prolonged absence can be a very challenging and frightening situation. We know how disoriented we feel after being away from our jobs for a few days or even after a vacation. Monday morning shows up dark and early, our brains are not yet back in work mode. You return to find the paperwork piled on the desk, the overflowing email inbox which can take days to sort through and by lunch you are looking at your Outlook calendar trying to find your next vacation dates to request from the boss.
Returning to the workplace after missing any length of time spent recovering from an illness can be a very overwhelming experience. You have not been off sunning on a beach or skiing, you have been fighting a battle with your body, dealing with the pain and frustration of your recovery. Some workers feel they are ready to immediately go back to their jobs, work for them is a very healing process or it can be a denial of their whole illness experience. Sometimes workers rush back due to the fear their job may be taken away while they are off and have a substantially slower healing or recover process due to this decision. Others need a gradual return to work plan while some people may never feel they can return. In this blog I will provide you with a brief check list to review with either yourself or a loved one to ensure all considerations have been made in order to return back to your job.
Readiness to Re-Enter the Work Environment
In order to achieve a successful return to work process after being away dealing with a chronic illness presents some very unique challenges. In this situation it is important to be aware of some strategies in order for you to be better prepared for your first day back to work.
Tips to Prepare For First Days Back to Work
• Create a daily routine or schedule in your life again if you have not already done so. It can be very difficult to fall back into a routine of waking early and preparing to leave the home if this has not happened in some time. I encourage you to get back into this habit as soon as possible to prepare for the first days back to work.
• How does your family feel about your desire to return to work? Are they supportive of this decision?
• What financial stresses are in your life currently and is this the driving force of your return to work decision?
• Stress – How are you managing the stress in your life after a critical or chronic illness? There are so many things that create stress during and after illness. Pain can shorten patience and tempers while medication can take time to be of any affect in your body.
• Is there a pain management or medication protocol in place? Will any of this medication create a cognitive impairment while in the work environment? Medications with side effects that leave you feeling sleepy and not as responsive as you were in the past may be confused by your employer that you are just not that into your job anymore.
• I strongly encourage goal setting daily and encourage you to reward yourself for achieving your goals. It was not so long ago that there was a time when you were not well enough to complete daily goals. Reflect on how far you have come since the onset of your illness.
• Have you discussed your fears you may have about returning to work? There may be a variety of feelings about your absence including anger from being ill to embarrassment. People who have recovered from illness that has required life- altering surgeries may be very self-conscious of their new appearance or new requirements for daily living.
• Sadly some illnesses in our society have serious social stigma or complete misunderstanding attached to them. This can be very distressing for you to face and may cause you to be reluctant as well as fearful to disclose or discuss with peers or managers. How are you prepared to face this situation when presented with it?
Spiritual Support
How has the spiritual side of you been coping with your illness and recovery? What practices have you adopted or now follow that give you great strength and confidence in your moving forward?
Many people find that through meditation and prayer they are able to find strength and comfort from their "Higher Power" or God as well as the spiritual community they belong to. I personally believe that prayer is an amazing and healing medicine for us at times and can provide some wonderful comfort as well as courage.
Medical and Emotional Supports
• What does your support system around you look like? Are you able to discuss your feelings and concerns about your illness with family members or friends?
• Do you belong to or are you able to find support groups or counsellors to assist you in dealing with the life changes this illness has brought to you?
• Have you received a back to work plan from your physician with any work limitations that may affect the performance of your role?
• Are medical interventions and treatments still ongoing? How often? Will this affect your work schedule?
What Your Employer Needs to Know
Employer support is a very necessary element in a successful return to work process. Many employers may fear that the returning employee will not be able to perform their duties the way they have in the past or perhaps they will lack enthusiasm for their jobs. Some employers also face the concern that the employee could leave the workplace again due to illness and then they are left filling in the gap within their workforce again.
Co-workers can also present barriers for individuals returning to the workplace after a medical absence. There may be resentment because they were left to fill in the workplace gap while their co-worker was off dealing with their illness. Training or modifications may have been implemented during the absence of an ill worker leaving co-workers feeling that their peer is no longer able to keep up. Important pre-return to work discussions with your employer are necessary to alleviate some of these concerns they may have as well as put a successful reintegration plan into place prior to first days back.
Employer Checklist
• Do you have medical clearance or certificate in order to return to the workplace?
• Has your employer been informed of your ability to return to the workplace?
• Will your employer be required to alter or create modifications for your role in order for you to resume your position?
• What modifications to duties or work hours may be necessary in order to accommodate you?
• Is this a graduated return to work process? Over what period of time?
• Will training or retraining be necessary in order to reintegrate you back to your work team?
• What meetings must you attend prior to first days back to work and what support can you be given from your HR department during this process?
• Is the employer willing to work with you during this time to assist with a successful reintegration if needed?
As you can see there are many considerations from a variety of different directions that you will need to make in order to return to work. What is key here is to be aware of all sides and make sure that your recovery and maintenance is your first priority. There are laws in place to protect your role while you are off dealing with your medical situation and many companies do have a compassionate wellness program in place to assist you.
For more information regarding your successful return to work process, follow up with your HR department, seek advice from your local Employment Standards branch if you feel this is necessary, join a support group(s), obtain as much medical information regarding your condition as you can, seek out an employment resource centre in your local area for employment counsellor support and build a strong network of support for yourself.
