What to expect from back to work meeting after time off for work related stress?

[KateBeckett]

As per the title really- I've had some time off due to work related stress and have a meeting at some point in the next 2 days to discuss my return.

Not knowing what to expect is making me nervous, so I wondered if anyone had been through this / had any advice or experience?

My situation is further complicated by the fact I will only be working 2 weeks after half term before I start maternity leave so I do t know if school are likely to put me back in class or ask me to cover ppa etc.

Am I able to say what I don't feel capable of doing? For example if they ask me to cover in classes with known behavioural problems which include the need for restraint? We have a few...

Sorry for all the questions, feeling a bit nervous, and having a vague idea of what to expect will help!

How is your health now? Who is the meeting with?

You should certainly ensure there is a pregnancy related risk assessment in place regarding restraint of pupils.

Could you approach this differently? You have two weeks left. What do you think is the best use of that time? Personally, I'd be wrangling for a mixed timetable that would be essentially jobsharing the class with your maternity cover and doing paperwork to support then until the end of the school year. Who is writing your reports, for example? You could get that out of the way for the cover person.

All this depends on the circumstances of the stress and the flexibility of your headteacher!

Take your union rep with you for support.

You are entitled to phased return. I have been in your situation(apart from the mat leave thing) your employer has a duty of care for your physical and mental health. You can therefore say what you can and can't manage at the moment.. It's hard going back in these circumstances if you are trying to second guess but my experience was that the fact I'd been unwell enough to be off sick meant sympathy from colleagues not judgement. Let's be honest, these days most staff can understand stress and it's effects. Hope it goes well x