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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be upset about this work situation

53 replies

luckyducky1 · 10/04/2021 18:26

I returned to work 2 weeks ago after 16 months off work ill. Since returning to work my manager (who has started there whilst I was off ill) has offered no support to me.
Quick catch up in the corridor when I first arrived back asking how I felt about been back but nothing else. No return to work, no risk assessment for covid.
Im not sure if I am been over sensitive, it would just help to know I have a bit of support at work.
AIBU?

OP posts:
MixedUpFiles · 10/04/2021 18:41

I’ve had a few absences from work over the years. I’ve always just gotten back to my desk and gotten to work. My manager has very little to do with my day to day work. She is just there if I have a problem and handles the review process.

ColourfulElmerElephant · 10/04/2021 18:42

Did you not have any meetings whilst you were off sick or have you literally been off with no contact for 16 months and now returned without anything being mentioned?

SarahBellam · 10/04/2021 18:43

What support do you need? If you need additional support you should drop them an email and suggest a meeting to go through the support. Have HR been in touch?

TerribleCustomerCervix · 10/04/2021 18:44

Do you have access to your employer’s absence policy?

Very strange not to have a return to work process in place, even a very informal one.

Caselgarcia · 10/04/2021 18:44

What support do you require? Is it a special chair, keyboard or desk? Just ask for an assessment.

MichelleScarn · 10/04/2021 18:45

Who arranged your back to work? Are you doing a gradual return or straight back to it?

Hankunamatata · 10/04/2021 18:46

What do you want?

NavaniKholinRocks · 10/04/2021 18:48

Returning to work after a lengthy absence can be really hard. Do you have any sort of Occupational Health support where you are? At the very least you should be able to discuss with HR about whether a phased return is appropriate and if there are any adjustments that need to be considered to support you and prevent further absence. Whilst your manager is under no obligation to be your friend, they should at least be checking in with you to see how you are settling back in and to discuss objectives/what is expected of you at this time.

StartingGrid · 10/04/2021 18:50

Seeing as you missed the entire pandemic and resteictions are being lifted and a vaccine program in place I would wonder why you'd think you needed your own covid risk assessment? Unless your illness leaves you vulnerable?

Unanananana · 10/04/2021 18:50

They should have done a return to work at the very least. If they are back in office/on premises then they will already be covid secure, so what extra covid measures do you need?

What sort of support are you looking for? If you are doing the same job, surely you just get back to work?

peak2021 · 10/04/2021 19:12

Failed manager in my opinion not to have a back to work conversation, even if it had been a phone call before you returned. Even in non-Covid times. Procedures may have changed, some people left or changed roles, basic stuff.

Disfordarkchocolate · 10/04/2021 19:14

I'd have expected a back to work interview and a phased return to work at the very least.

FeedMeSantiago · 10/04/2021 19:49

Where I work you get offered a back to work interview and are asked if you need any support after any period of sickness, even a solitary day.

I once took a month off sick from an awful employer and even they offered me a back to work interview!

I would expect some form of chat after 16 months off sick. Even just to catch-up on what you've missed - who has left the team/got promoted/is now on maternity etc.

FireflyRainbow · 10/04/2021 20:26

YABU Hmm

PumpkinPie2016 · 10/04/2021 20:40

After 16 months, I would expect there to be some sort of return to work meeting/process. Have you had one with HR or has there literally been nothing. If nothing, I think that's actually really poor of your manager/HR.

I'm in a management position and if any of my team are off, even for a day, I catch up with them when they return. If it's been a day or so for something like a cold then it's just an informal 'how are you feeling now?' sort of conversation. If longer or for a more complex issue, it would be longer so that we could discuss any support they may need.

If you feel it would help, email your manager/HR to ask for a meeting.

CombatBarbie · 10/04/2021 20:43

I'm surprised you haven't had a return to work interview and the fact it's a new manger I'd expect an initial interview.

ilovesooty · 10/04/2021 20:43

@Disfordarkchocolate

I'd have expected a back to work interview and a phased return to work at the very least.
Agreed.

@FireflyRainbow if you think the OP is unreasonable, why?

islockdownoveryet · 10/04/2021 20:47

Having the odd sick day is nothing like having 16 months off so of course you should have a return to work . A lot would of changed in the time you’ve been off what do they expect you to pick up where you left off .
Did HR speak to you when you came back ?

islockdownoveryet · 10/04/2021 20:49

@MixedUpFiles

I’ve had a few absences from work over the years. I’ve always just gotten back to my desk and gotten to work. My manager has very little to do with my day to day work. She is just there if I have a problem and handles the review process.
Yeah the odd sick day and 16 months absence it’s the same thing Hmm
Kitkat151 · 10/04/2021 20:51

@FireflyRainbow

YABU Hmm
Why is OP being unreasonable?
eatsleepread · 10/04/2021 20:51

The truth is, your lengthy absence - through no fault of your own, of course - will have been a complete ball ache for her. Now you're back, she's probably expecting you just to get on with it.
Some care and concern would be nice, of course Thanks It must feel very strange for you to be back after all this time. But I'd just put your head down and not take it personally.
Good luck Smile

Kitkat151 · 10/04/2021 20:54

@MixedUpFiles

I’ve had a few absences from work over the years. I’ve always just gotten back to my desk and gotten to work. My manager has very little to do with my day to day work. She is just there if I have a problem and handles the review process.
16 months off work is hardly the same thing as you🙄.....but I’m sure the OP is grateful for your understanding and empathy ( not )
fiorentina · 10/04/2021 20:55

I’d just ask for a meeting or email telling them what you’re hoping for. Did you liaise with HR before returning after such a long time away?

Jumpers268 · 10/04/2021 20:56

It's quite difficult to say whether you'd need specific risk assessments without knowing the reason you were off (although I completely appreciate you not sharing that information). I do understand though, when I returned from maternity (9 months off), I had literally nothing. And that wasn't me being off as I was unwell! I don't think YABU but I do fear a lot will say you are (MN is apparently the place where no one takes time off work for any reason). I hope you're feeling better! Flowers.

Kitkat151 · 10/04/2021 20:59

@eatsleepread

The truth is, your lengthy absence - through no fault of your own, of course - will have been a complete ball ache for her. Now you're back, she's probably expecting you just to get on with it. Some care and concern would be nice, of course Thanks It must feel very strange for you to be back after all this time. But I'd just put your head down and not take it personally. Good luck Smile
Definitely don’t put your head down and get on with it....you are worth more than that....you need a formal back to work interview.....a Covid risk assessment ( eg ALAMA) ....do you need to discuss an Access to Work referral? ( for any equipment you may need).....I don’t know what you’ve been absent with...but cancer for instance is a protected characteristic under the equalities act 2010 so is classed as a disability....as are many other conditions.....have you been advised to have a phased return?? . I’m really sorry you have had such poor treatment from your Manager....I would be looking for a new job when you feel up to it....I wouldn’t stay somewhere I was so poorly valued