to request an extension on my fit note

[user4890871]

I have been signed off sick since April when I was diagnosed with cancer. I was hoping to return next week and have been feeling ok about the return to work. Now I am feeling very anxious (which I know is normal after such a long sickness) and I don't think Covid is helping with my anxiety.
AIBU to request an extension on my sick note?

I think asking for a phased return would be better. Do you have to travel to your workplace, or can you work from home in these Covid times?

Unfortunately I think that getting an extension is just prolonging things - you will feel anxious about going back to work until you go back to work. So I’ve voted yabu, not because I’m not sympathetic - I had to have 3 months off work once and returning was very hard, but because I don’t think you will solve the problem this way.

Is your workplace going to be safe for you to return as planned?

Have your workplace not been in touch to put a return to work plan in place with you, including a potential phased return?

At the least in this situation I’d have expected a sit down zoom call with your manager to go through any changes, new health and safety procedures for keeping staff safe, and giving you a platform to discuss how you’re feeling and how your employers could support you safely back into the workplace, with the help of occupational health if necessary.

If you are deemed clinically vulrnerable, is it possible for you to go on furlough for a short period of time until things get a bit safer in general?

Of course it’s all contextual and depends on what you do as a job, but I’m not entirely comfortable at the thought of someone who’s been off long term sick with cancer sitting wondering whether they are safe to return so close to the end of their sick line without their work providing support / reviews.

When my mum was off sick with cancer, she had a phased return. She just went in in the mornings a few days a week, then a few full days, then back to normal after about 4 weeks. You should ask your manager about a phased return. X

@daisypond

I think asking for a phased return would be better. Do you have to travel to your workplace, or can you work from home in these Covid times?

Will be doing a phased return but can't work from home

@vanillandhoney

Is your workplace going to be safe for you to return as planned?

Full PPE but in the last month four members of staff have been off with covid (one in my department)

I think you should bite the bullet and go back with a phased return. As you said, it’s normal to be anxious about going back to work after being off for a long time, and of course covid will be exacerbating that. But that’s not going to go away any time soon and the more you put it off the worse you’ll feel. Obviously this is assuming you’re physically well enough to go back and that your employer is covid secure.

It's normal that you are feeling so anxious about returning especially with covid on top of it. If you feel ready to return and your workplace is safe to return to then I say go for it.