Going back to work.

[Amy1975]

Hello,

I am 3 weeks post op and due to go back to work next Tuesday. I originally told my workplace id be off for 2 weeks following the surgery.

During my lap they found a lot of endo on my right side which they have removed and also inserted the mirena coil.

I have had an infection which I'm currently taking antibiotics for but still in pain and just started my period as well which hadn't helped.

I'm so anxious about going back to work as I have had a lot of time off due to the pain and being admitted to hospital due to it.

I'm scared that when I go back they may sack me for being off for 4 weeks instead of the 2 we discussed before the surgery even though I've had 2 sick notes. One from my consultant after my op and then another from GP.

Has anyone else been in this situation and is there any advice you could give me regarding this. The stress of not knowing what will happen is driving me mad and my employer said they will talk to me when I return.

Thanks for reading.

[withay]

They shouldn't be able to sack you for being off sick. If you have a sick note legally you can't work as it's a statutory form. My hr are very strict about people not returning until their sick note has run out. But they also had a return to work chat with me, that was mainly to check I was OK to return to work. I was put on phased return by my hr. They were concerned that if I pushed it coming back I'd then be off again. I wouldn't worry, be honest about how you're feeling, a return to work conversation is fairly standard and it's worse for them having someone come back too soon and then going off again because of that or being at work and not in a position to do their job properly because they're not well enough.

[Adoradearheart]

If you’ve followed procedures and handed in your sick notes and been in touch as per company policy they can’t sack you for having prescribed time off.

[Grui]

Hi Amy1975,

I can relate to your post as I am in a similar situation to you. Had LAP four weeks ago, stage four endo and adenomyosis found, two weeks in also got infection. I am also anxious about returning to work as I'm still in some pain and don't want this to affect my performance or how I am perceived. I reassure myself by reminding myself:

- I have followed the legal process (re: medical certificates). ( I know legally they can't fire me and there are government bodies to protect me against this unfair dismissal if that is to occur - Fairwork Australia, I'm in Australia).

- I have followed medical advice by taking the time off I need for my body to heal, therefore I am being responsible for my health and also ensuring a can deliver the best performance at work, with a healed body. After all work would not want a claim made against them should I get injured.

- No one, not even the surgeon knows how much they will find and how deep it will be, so post op time off for recovery is so personal. Plus an infection naturally increases the time off. (This has almost become my mantra because I felt I should have recovered in two weeks, but each situation is different, so I try not to compare).

I would also be sending an email to my manager to try and set the tone of the meeting, ie. about a positive transition back to work now that my medical specialist has advised that I can return. Use the medical terms that will give them an idea of the severity and complexity ( stage IV, severe, deep lesions, additional infection) in a factual way, but only if you feel it won't be used against you. Some managers (despite the law) will want information from you to try and paint a picture of incompetence - usually this has nothing to do with you personally as they have their own agenda, be careful with that type. If you have that sort of manager, get a HR rep or union rep to be present at the meeting.

Use and think of the meeting as an opportunity to discuss your support needs to return to work - light work, less hours initially, especially if you are still in pain.

Always keep in mind your health is the number one priority and you are the best advocate for that. (Remembering you have legal and medical back up also).

All the very best.