I am looking forward to going back to work on 1st September after almost six months of sickness absence. My normal hours are 9 till 4.30 four days a week. I know you have all been in this situation yourselves so would welcome your suggestions for a reasonable timetable to get up to full time?
I was initially off work from March with Pulmonary Embolisms and my Ovary surgery was on 13th July. I am feeling really good (apart from horrid menopause symptoms but they are not with me all of the time) but am realistic enough to know that I won't be up to four full days yet.
I would welcome information about your own experiences and your advice so that I can negotiate the best thing for me.
I suppose it all depends on the sort of work you do. I worked in a shop and was on my feet all day, so when I was getting ready to go back to work was talking to them about starting back on 2 hours a day, twice a week (my regular hours were 5 hours, twice a week) To sweeten the deal I said I would do the lunchtime.....shame the shop closed just before I went back, but that's life!
I have a desk based job mon - fri 0830-1630. My employer was, in my opinion, very fair about my terms. I started back on 1 feb 2011 on one half day a week, over the next weeks I built up to a day a week, day and a half etc...my target was to be full time again by the end of may 2011, so 4 months. I had been off for 10! I had a few times where adding a bit more was too much so I stayed where I was for a bit longer. Any way I did it and I am still working full time - good luck to you! There is something so "normal" about getting back out there! Best wishes Cheryl
I had a phased return to work after a year on leave. My employer has an occupational health department and they suggested 3 hours a day 5 days a week but I suggested starting with 5 hours x 4 days a week and using up back-dated leave whilst I gradually increased my hours.
I thought the idea of returning to work 5 days a week for just 3 hours was a bit crazy. The exhausting thing about work is getting up, walking the dog and getting to work. My tasks were also project related so I really needed a full day from the start to do anyting useful so in my case it was better to cut down the days and work nearly a full quota of hours per day. I quickly resumed a full 6.5 hr day but then my work was not particularly physical. This pattern worked well for me and I didn't return to a five day week for 3 months.
I hope your return to work goes well. I was full of trepidation even though I'm a pretty confident person but any worries I did have were unfounded and I really enjoyed resuming 'normality' after such a long period of sick leave.
Wishing you luck with your return to work! xxxx love Annie
I had a phased return entirely of my own choosing. I do 4 seven and a half hour days Monday to Thursday. I went back after 9 weeks post operation , but only a few days after being told that I did not have a simple cyst but a borderline tumour and well before I was pain free. I did 8 till 1 every day for about 3 weeks and then full time. This was way too fast as my abdominal pain got worse and worse and I had a second major operation to investigate.
I am mostly very well now and hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Please do not go back at all if you are still in any pain and then just a few hours every second day to start.
It is actually really nice going back and connecting with everybody again.
Even though borderline is very very unlikely to come back, the whole thing is a big trauma , so take thing easy.
Hi I went back to work nine weeks after my surgery because I was one of the lucky ones and didn't need any further treatment. Physically I was feeling fine but mentally I was struggling which sounds ridiculous considering my borderline diagnosis. I work Monday to Thursday 9 - 3. But decided to break myself in gently the first week and did three hours a day. The second week I was doing my normal hours. Working six hours a day doesn't seem like much but I also had to cope with a 9 year old and 14 year old when I got home as well as cook tea etc. two weeks after going back to work I realised I had probably gone back a bit too early and should have given myself another month off as I was exhausted. I work as a legal secretary but my job is very busy because as well as all the legal stuff I also do the office accounts so I'm constantly multi tasking. Basically what I'm saying is don't rush back too soon and if you do feel that now is the right time to go back that it is on reduced hours. Love Kerry x
I am in a very similar situation to you. My 'family' work starts at 6.30 getting the dog and kids ready for the day before heading to a demanding job myself. And again at the end of the day there is always cooking and housework and after school events.
Physically I am doing great now till about 2 in the afternoon when I flake out, but I don't want to use my limited energy all at work and then come home and order takeaways because I have been too tired to shop or cook.
Mentally my brain is a snowstorm, concentration span not too good at moment.
Good luck with your return to work. I was a teacher and had had mfour months off. I started by doing planning, paperwork, etc for three days and went into the classroom for half hour at the end of the morning each day, half days only, then into class for the afternoons (shorter) for a week, then mornings only for a week, then full time. To be honest, I was ready for full time by then. I felt like I wasn't one thing or the other on part time! I was tired though, and had a sleep when I got home. Early home too for a few weeks, not the usual 6:00 pm, more like 4:30. Hope it all goes well.... It so much depends on what sort of work you do. All the best
Hi I took 5 weeks off after my op then went back full time. I have taken a few days holiday after chemo. I do get tired but at least I can delegate at work (I manage a charity garden centre shop). When I am at home I just get frustrated about not feeling up to doing much.! Crazy I know xxx
Hi I returned to work after my initial treatment and op approx 3 months later, work were wonderful at the time, and i had a very supportive manager and occ health dept who allowed me to return for meetings etc in week 3 of my chemo, and work from home in week 2, I was sick for week 1 on my treatment. this worked really well for me, and i built up the hours i worked till i became full time again. in my 2nd op ( liver resection) the NHS(where i work) has changed so much, i had no support, and no help from my new managers, just lots of rules and regulations, to the extent that I am now about to start my diploma in equality law for trade union reps!
i think the key to a good return to work is supportive managers and colleagues, and I hope you have a good return to work- don't do too much tho!
take care
sue
Thanks everyone for your sound advice. I will shortly see the Occupational Therapy Team to agree a timescale. The idea has been muted that I build up over two weeks. But after reading some of your experiences I will not be agreeing to this, much too quick.
My thinking now is along these lines - I have to share myself between 1. My Family 2. My Job 3. Me time! (just a bit) If I am only feeling good for five or six hours a day I need to share them around, not spend them all at work.
Hi, you are right, two weeks is far too short a time, I had 5 months off and then went back half time initially for 3 days a week the first week, then4 days the next and then upped my hours so working longer over 4 days and having Wednesday off And over 2 months getting back to working 9-5. The other thing that I found helpful was to start later in the day, as its then easier to leave, if doing 4 hours 9-1 it can be hard getting away as everyone else still busy, but if you do 11-3 or 12-4 I found it easier to get away !
Good luck, and take it gently. And make sure you tell occupational health you only feel good for 5/6 hours a day, as you'll need to factor in travel time etc.
Hi, I returned to work on 18t Feb having completed treatment on 28th Jan. 2013. I had a phased return starting at 2 full days a week for two weeks then three days for a week, then four for a couple of weeks returning full time at beginning of April. I negotiated my own terms of return with my line manager and used A/L to fill the days of non work during the phased return. I travel around a lot and spend a lot of time in meetings and writing reports or on phone. Can also do some work from Home which I continued to do (about half a day per week during treatment) throughout treatment, apart from the week immediately following surgery. Had to employ dog walker / friends and family to manage my very strong dog during this time. For me managing to do some work and return relatively quickly was really important and helped my sanity. I think the message is - to do and negotiate what works for you. My employers let me dictate my return and I was clear that if I felt I needed longer then my proposed plan I would take responsibility for asking for an extended period. However I do have extremely understanding employers and a job that allows this degree of flexibility.....Good Luck. JacJack
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I would welcome experience of others
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