How to advise DD about returning to work after sick leave

[marmaladegranny]

Any GPs or Occupational Health folk around who can advise?

My adult DD had minor surgery a while back and was expected to be off work for 2 weeks. Due to post op complications this has extended and now she has developed anxiety and panic attacks. Her GP put her on ADs and refused to let her return to work.

She is due to return to work next week, after being off for over two months, and is panicking about telling her manager about her anxiety. I believe that GP has signed her off work with illegible diagnosis and his word is sufficient. Although she may need to disclose the nature of her illness to an Occupational Health Advisor she does not need to provide all details to her line manager.

Am I correct?

How can I advise her to handle this situation?

Poor thing. If her line manager is approachable the best thing she could do is tell them. Maybe even arrange a meeting out of work just before she returns. They can reassure her and make some allowances and adjustments. Hope she gets over this blip soon.

Thank you Tigger - her manager is not at all sympathetic and has considered DD's illness as a major inconvenience to her and DD's colleagues. She seems to think DD is swinging the lead which is quite untrue. This is DD's first sickness, apart from hospital appointments, in this employment.

That's a shame. What about HR?

That is good thought ….