To ask if you have returned to work after being off with work related stress

[Oneday56]

I've been singed off ten weeks. The longer I'm off the harder it's getting to go back. If you returned to work after work related stress particularly after a long period. What support did you find helped?

Serious anxiety for me rather than specifically work related stress but the effect was the same - I sympathise, the first few days back at work we’re horrible. I negotiated a phased return with my manager so I only did short days / weeks at first and gradually built up. Also, I was lucky enough that DH worked in the same office so he would always meet me outside, give me a hug and walk me to my desk if I needed it. If you’ve got a colleague who is a friend and would be prepared to do that it might help a lot. Just getting through the door can be the hardest bit.

Good luck OP!

WERE horrible. Where did we’re come from??

I have. But I left the job causing the stress took some time off and about a year later have a new job I love. So it wasn't an easy decision but has been the best decision I ever made.

Obviously your own circumstances will dictate if leaving your job is a viable option or not.

I did wonder at the time if my stress would arise in any other job, maybe im just naturally anxious? I had some CBT which made me see thibgs more clearly and I have now been able to put what I've learned into action wrt stessful situations.

Thanks for replies. I can't really afford unpaid time off and its a decent salary for the job that it is.

If you are looking to return, a long conversation with the person in charge is needed. Have a list and outline everything that is causing you stress - ideally with ways, in which your stress can be eased.

In my case, I just needed some allocated time with my line manager, a policy confirmation (I was doing the right thing but colleagues insisted I was not) and a general plea for a little recognition - all wa granted and went a long way. Other issues were not as easily solved, but were discussed and I actually started to understand the other side once the chat was had.

It's not an easy one, but if you can, have a frank discussion with whoever is at the top of your organisation/ branch. It made a huge difference to how I felt when I returned.

I needed not to be working in the same building with the same colleagues. It was immensely helpful that my GP had spelt out that it was workplace stress - they bent over backwards for me. Created a new position for me, allowed me a phased return over several months, allowed me to work from home coming in only for meetings, and the new position meant I worked with different people in a different building.

Working from home had been in my long term career plan - I just didn't expect to achieve it in that fashion!