Covid absence and HR

[Sunflowerhead]

NC for this.

I caught Covid recently and - despite being double vaccinated - was quite unwell.

I do work from home and self certified for 5 days initially.

At the end of the 5 days I still felt very unwell. Extreme fatigue, cough, breathlessness, brain fog, palpatations.

My GP signed me off for a fortnight, which ends this week, so that's 3 weeks in total of absence.

HR would like to call me to catch up this week and I'm not sure what to say, as I am still unwell.

I was planning on speaking to my GP for advice this week re my health. For context, I'm female and 49.

I am still exhausted and out of breath when I move/speak. Simple activities, such as household chores leave me flat out. I get forgetful and brain fog over simple things. I'm not sleeping of a night due to palpatations and I have headaches and sinus issues. I feel weak and very low in my mental health.

I know there will be an expectation to return to work asap, but I'm not sure what to do as the work is demanding, overwhelming and I will be expected to hit the ground running, working evenings, weekends, making some big decisions. I have no cover either. In case it matters, I earn an average UK salary. I'm not a manager, but expected to behave like other senior leaders.

I am generally healthy with a good attendance record. I have worked here for 10 years and have had 3 days off sick in total during the past 3 years. However, when I caught Covid, I was at a physical and mental low. I was very stressed with work and I am concerned about being pushed hard again, only this time I currently have no strength or energy to give work.

HR are not sympathetic though and I am concerned they might try to push me back too early or that they don't believe in Covid after effects (it's very much a stiff upper lip environment) and will try to "catch me out".

I haven't slept worrying about this. Does anybody have any advice on what to say to HR? How much information to give? What to say if they ask when I will be back?

Can you delay any conversation with HR until after youve spoken to your doc?

Thanks. I was going to see how I felt towards the end of the week and then call the GP Thursday/Friday (if I can get an appointment.

It's a new surgery and everything seems to be by e-consult).

I'm guessing HR want to know if I'll be back at work next Monday and the timing feels 'tight'.

Its standard procedure nothing to be unduly worried about. You need to tell them everything you've said in your post and get another line.

Thank you.

I appreciate HR's position. I'm just feeling vulnerable, exhausted and disappointed in myself for not working when other people have had next to no time off with Covid, and unable to think clearly.

I honestly don't know why you are so worried about this. Probably standard protocol, in my job my boss would be on me every week if I had a sick note that was for more than a week...just a general check up on you type thing.
You are ill, if you are too ill to go back to work when HR ring you tell them...it really is as simple as that. Don't let them bully you into returning too early. Of course they want you back but if you are too poorly you are too poorly. Stand up for yourself.

Tell HR that at present you are still feeling ill and that you cannot give a date when you are returning. There’s nothing worse than being chased for a return date. Maybe suggest staggered working hours first.

HR checking in isn't just as people are in trouble or to force them back in, it's partly welfare but also if it's going to be a long term absence to get some sort of gauge of how long so they can plan; and also potentially to discuss how they can support in a return to work ie phased return or whatever. I'd just be honest with them, most places go by instances of absence rather than the length of one. Ideally if you can speak to your doctor first and be signed off for longer that would be good as you can just say I've been signed off for an additional x weeks.

Thanks. I'm just sensitive as I feel tired and weak.

I also work with the HR officer and have heard them dismiss Covid before, hence my concerns.

It's standard procedure (and actually considered good practice) to keep in touch with someone when they're off for more than couple weeks.
Just tell them you are still unwell with covid and will be speaking to your doctor again.
You don't need to list all your symptoms and don't give them a date when you think you may be able to return, because it sounds like you would only be guessing at the moment.

It will be fine.
Good luck