Should I return to work?

[CazO46]

I am hoping for advice from anyone who has been in my position. I have been off work for 4 months with a combination of physical and anxiety problems. I still don't feel great but don't know that I have much hope of improving ant time soon. Psychologically I want to return to work as I like my job and need the money but I feel physically sick with anxiety incase I can't cope. They have said I can use annual leave to work shorter hours for a few weeks but I'm so worried about becoming ill again and don't know what to do?? Thank you for any advice X

[carrieblevins1998]

I'm just like that too, I just got a job and im nervous about a 3hr orientation. Imagine me working 10 hrs. I have the same problem but somehow I will try to cope because I think about the money.

[CazO46 in reply to carrieblevins1998]

I wish you all the best and I see I'm not alone with this struggle X

[fauxartist]

I'm sorry your going through all that indecision about going back to work, but it does sound like they are willing to work with you...I would just talk to them and ask for a reduced hour day to see how that goes for you and go from there....you do enjoy your work...so maybe that will carry through the day. If not....take it from there to take care of yourself.

[CazO46 in reply to fauxartist]

Thank you so much for your reply ,I think reduced hours is the only way I can manage right now X

[Aesclepius]

What part of work is making you anxious?

[CazO46 in reply to Aesclepius]

I work as a social worker and I'm anxious about feeling dizzy or sick when visiting clients or at meetings, I worry I will have to leave and let people down and have to go off work sick again. I am struggling to see a time when I'll fell like my 'old' self again and it breaks my heart to accept everything for me has changed 😥

[gogogirl]

I am sure it is easier said than done- but could you ease into work - possibly starting with a few hours a day?

[CazO46 in reply to gogogirl]

I have emailed my boss who is happy for me to pop in and see everyone so I don't feel too isolated, I'm going to build myself up and do it today over lunch time when everyone will be less busy, thanks for the reply

[HearYou]

Have some legal news that may help you in your attempt to return to work on a basis you can tolerate. If you are in the US, the ADA provides as long as you can perform the "essential" requirements of the job, "the actually needed parts of your job" with reasonable modifications, your employer is required to adjust your work environment.

But, you have only posted 3 times, so I don't know if you are being treated by a physician who believes you needed to off work for a physical, emotional or mental diagnosis reason. That is important. As well as a doctor covering your back as to how many hours, breaks, accommodation, etc. in order to return to even part-time work, and then hopefully gradually work back into full time work.

This part-time or partial employment should not be docked from your annual leave benefits if you are classified as disabled by your doctors..

If you were a salaried employee, you should be paid your salary, if you can work full time or not when you return to work.

When I returned to work, after neurosurgery that required me to be off work for almost 6 weeks, the HR manager said I would be paid by the hour.....t.old her that was interesting, as I put in more than sixty hours a week when on salary.....so this very uninformed HU director told me how much per hour I would be paid (Could have filed grievance with the EEOC.....but smiled and said OK.....) I was a dedicated employee who was putting in over 6 0hours a week even if it meant that my employer would let me go in later and leave earlier and take work home with me.

I had my benefits and was making much more income on the hourly rate than I ever made on a salary. Within a month the HR manager told me i would be going back on salary, but I said I was fine with the current arrangement. Stayed on it for three months, made almost twice the amount that I was being paid on salary. What the HR person thought would be a good deal for the law firm, actually was an awesome deal for me. I was very nice and stayed on the hourly rates as long as possible......until the senior partner thought an increase in my salary might persuade me to shift make into a salary that about matched what I was earning hourly.

Hope this helps and gives you some support as you make your decision to return to your job. xx

[CazO46 in reply to HearYou]

Thank you so much for the advice! I first became unwell with a suspected viral infection but it progressed to a combination of physical and psychological issues. I would say I have always suffered from anxiety and the illness in December just brought my who delicate house of cards crashing down. I have just started on anti depressants a week ago so not yet kicked in so I'm surviving on diazapam and beta blockers. I'm in the UK and my employer had told me I have to used annual leave if I want a phased return to work. My GP is happy to sign me of for a few more weeks as unfit for work. I still have dizziness and really struggle to eat due to acute nausea at times but no one can tell me why. I will look up the law in this country about returning to work and thank you again for the advice I really appreciate it

[HearYou in reply to CazO46]

Good to hear from you.Please do not google your information regarding your rights to adjustments in your employment, as the US may be different. Ang Google info leaves out important info an sometimes adds info that has no real meaning. Contact an office of the government protecting workers. In the US it is called the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (sp.)....must be a similar government agency in England to speak with you. It's ok by me if you want to tell them you have an acquaintance in the US who is an attorney and counsel of the Supreme Court of the United States of America that recommended you contact them. If push comes to shove, just PM and I will provide my name, bar number and when The US Supreme Court admitted me to practice before it. That is a big time legal status in the US. Not to impress, but to assure them you "talked" with someone who practiced this law in the U.S., and your info isn't just coming from a neighbor.

I just know there must be a social worker or similar person to guide you through this. You deserve an opportunity to work that accommodates your mental or physical restrictions. My very best to you. Please keep in touch,ok?

[CazO46 in reply to HearYou]

Thank you so much, it won't hurt to tell them I sought some 'legal' advice! I have arranged a call with my Union rep today so I'll let you know how that goes, I am very very grateful for your expertise and support x

[HearYou in reply to CazO46]

Nooooo. NO, you DID NOT SEEK LEGAL ADVICE AS YOU DID NOT DO THAT, as that would mean you have legal counsel representing you. Don't say you sought legal advice. Say you have an acquaintance who is in the US and who you talked with about your situation and thought there must be programs similar in England.

Never say you sought legal advice unless you have done so and that means you have an attorney basically if you were in the US.

Don't say you sought legal advice as that will cause hair on the back of their necks standup as they will be thinking you have an attorney in the background ready to file legal papers against them for some reason.

Please read my original reply to you so you understand the point was to let the powers that be know you chatted with an "acquaintance" who is a lawyer in the US and suggested you contact them for similar programs in England.

Like medicine, certain legal words can mean something entirely different from your intent. Be as sweet as apple pie and that you were talking with an acquaintance in the US who is an attorney who thought surely England had similar programs to help you...The mention of an attorney was to let them know it wasn't the neighbor down the street who doesn't work suggest you contact them.

[CazO46 in reply to HearYou]

Got it!! The Union have advised they have access to employment solicitors but they don't think it will come to that... Thankfully. They have suggested an informal meeting with manager and work on a structured return to work on a part time basis so I will look at their proposal. Thanks again you have been so helpful

[HearYou in reply to CazO46]

Great!

[Hidden]

Hello Caz, so sorry to hear about your dificulties. This is something I had to deal with as a line manager on several occasions. My perspective is from the UK public sector. When someone is off work ill 'long term', the employer, on welfare grounds, should maintain contact with the employee, conduct home visits and offer support. That would normally be done by the immediate line manager. Some employees may perceive home visits as intrusive and unwelcome, but, if done is a supportive way, I believe they are beneficial. Presumably, after a certain period of absence (it was 6 months when I was working), the employer MAY reduce the pay to half pay, so that is something else to consider and to be discussed with the line manager, should that deadline be approaching. Any return to work should be properly planned and 'reasonable adjustments' by the employer may be needed or required, especially if the employee has a disability (it might be worth checking on-line to see if your illness counts as a disability under the disability legislation). This may include reduced hours for a period - a phased return - and a reduced workload. Very briefly, that's how it should work and if your employer/manager is any good, everything should be done to ensure you only return to work when you are fully fit to do so and your return should be fully supported and you should be reassured that any reasonable adjustments, that are necessary to help you, will be made. Employers have a duty of care to their employees and as a former line manager I would not want an employee in work if he/she was not fully fit for work. You should be treated as a valued employee, you have legal rights and your employer has legal responsibilities to ensure your health and safety, and, yes, we would all have anxieties about returning to work after a long period of absence, but your employer/manager should metaphorically, if not literally, put his/her arm around your shoulder and say to you, 'Don't worry, everything will be alright, because I, as your manager, will look after you and make sure everything is alright.' I've probably missed out loads of other important stuff but I think I've probably bored you and everyone else enough !! Take care,

[CazO46 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for your advice. I feel well enough today to pop in and see my manager, I had hoped to return to work st the end of the week but I realise this is totally unrealistic 😔My line manager is keen for me to return but he has also experienced mental health problems so more understanding than many might be. I think I have another 6 or 7 weeks of pay so that gives me time to build myself up and hopefully we'll enough so I don't relapse which would be heart breaking for me. I really appreciate your help and advice

[Hidden]

Hiya, thanks for your reply. The other important thing I would add is to speak to your HR dept (I mean someone fairly high up, who is qualified - ask for a 1-1 interview) to get advice from them and to find out abour relevant policies and procedures - it's always worth having HR onside, and, also, your Union rep, if you are in the Union. Gather as much information as possible, because I think knowing where exactly you stand with will give you some reassurance. Take care,

[CazO46 in reply to Hidden]

I didn't even think about speaking with my Union but I will do that today. I want my employer to know that I want to come back but without support I fear it will fail. I have asked for a copy of the return to work policy but you are right it won't hurt to speak nicely to one of the HR managers and try and make a workable plan. Thanks again so much for your help I'm feeling a bit more confident about the prospect of going back X

[HearYou in reply to Hidden]

About the HR personnel, just keep in mind who they represent ---the business, not you. My sister is VP of that department of a large international corporation. She sometimes has her hands tied when she would like to do more.

[Hidden]

Sadly, people get ill all the time and go off sick - that's life. For some bizarre reason, some employers (and employees) do not see anxiety/depression in the same light as other serious physical illnesses. But, in reality, there is no difference. People can and do work with very serious illnesses, such as cancer, and employers (well, any decent employer) will make reasonable adjustments for those workers, because, it is in the employer's interest to retain valuable/experienced employees. The same principles apply to mental health conditions. Thank goodness that now employers are taking their legal responsibilities in this area more seriously. I assure you that in time your confidence will return - just take it slowly. Take care,

[HearYou in reply to Hidden]

You are bringing up a very good point. It took the suicide of fireman two years ago in my state and a well-organized grassroots campaign to recently change the workers' compensation law to treat PTSD for first responders. But still leaves the rest of us out there hanging.(sigh)

[CazO46]

It's hard to say just how much I appreciate your help, I don't feel just as lost and fearful as I did before I asked for help so thanks to everyone for the kindness and really helpful advice, I'll let you know how it goes 😊

[HearYou in reply to CazO46]

Good to hear. Looking forward to hearing from you.