Due back to work - feeling worse, why?

[SpringSunshine]

Finally after 3 months off I am due back to work next week but for the last week or so I have been feeling worse :( Feeling angry, resentful and stubborn again (planning to go back full time even tho I know it should be phased) and also really tired even tho I am doing very little.
What makes it worse is that I have been waiting 2 weeks for the OH report - still not received - and no one from work has contacted me in weeks so haven't a clue what will happen on my first day back :(
Anyone else felt like this? Is it natural nerves in going back after so long?

It is natural to gave some nerves but it sounds like your employer is not being very proactive in supporting your return. What does your fit note say? Did your GP select a phased return? Have you and your employer discussed how your work conditions might have contributed to your being signed off in the first place and how things might change at work for your benefit?

Why not ask for a phased return so the first day back is a shorter one and just a catch up one?'

My current 'unfit' note runs out and I wasn't going to bother to get a new one - that is the stubbornness kicking in as I know if I did go back to GP he will say phased at least.

There was talk before I went off sick about changing things at work as entire sickness period is due to bullying but they want the OH report first ...

Wondering if it is nerves or maybe I have gone back a step and should have another couple of weeks off - don't want to tho as not getting paid and finances are getting horribly tight especially with Xmas (another reason for going back full time as phased hours count as sickness) :(

Oh where I work phased return counts as full hours, shame that. But would not even 3 days phased return and 2 days full time first week ( or whatever suits you) help you? To get back, to earn money and for it to be ok. OH reports can take ages, guess you chased it? Then dictate it, gets typed up, then internal post etc etc ...

I found it nerve wracking returning to work after Matenrity leave, after sickness etc but find when back it is much better than the worrying about it, so if it is nerves and you get another sick note then maybe it will be the same when note runs out?

What I found helped me was telling myself:

• why I worked, what good money can do, how I felt when work was good etc
• how I needed to change my thinking about work: it was a job, I did my best when there but did not allow my brain to waste time on it when not there
• I needed to grow a thicker skin after being treated badly too. If things cannot change I had to think of how I could change ( get a good reference and leave eventually to a fresh start!!)

Hope whatever you do goes ok. Could you phone OH tomorrow and ask for verbal info due to you needing to know what changes work would do due to your meeting with them and your need to return to work? Did OH offer any suggestions or support?

Thanks for you help.

You are right about how good work can be and I like your thoughts, especially changing thinking and growing a thick skin :)

Had a thought - I might be able to add some holiday into the mix to help with the money / time off.

Seeing my consultant tomorrow so will ask him to confirm the phased timings and then see the GP to get a fit note to reflect that - was hoping that the OH report would link in with that and have chance to discuss with HR before next week but not to be.

The other thing making me nervous is that will not see my understanding manager for several weeks as she will be in a different office so there will be lots of uncertainties in the early days, but as you say it's up to me to change :D

If you are full time could you check absence policy about based return? If you doing half days work they surely cannot expect zero pay? If you could do something like 3 days phased and 2 days hol one week and then see how it went for second week then it will give you money at a vital time and help maybe? Why not insist on phoning understanding manager first day back and set up a meeting as well with them yourself?