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phased return to work pnd any advice welcome

3 replies

stdorothymantooth · 09/05/2011 09:42

Wasn't sure whether to post this here or in returning to work.
Basically I have recently been diagnosed with pnd. I have been advised that I should consider a phased return to work.
My manager is currently off and occupational health won't speak to me until I've spoken to her. Has anyone else had experience of a phased return?

OP posts:
SkivingAgain · 09/05/2011 19:27

I've had a member of staff have a phased return to work following an accident - not the same as pnd after mat leave obviously, - and we found it mutually beneficial. We would have been paying her full pay if off sick so it was better to have her working some of the time than none of the time. She felt better for being back in with the support and sympathy of colleagues. She also said that she felt 'less guilty' as she was able to do some work and was happy to do it. We let her work for 5 hours a day (or less if she had to) for about 4 weeks. We didn't need occupational health to suggest it, you gp can put it on your fit note. Hope this helps, and good luck.

MovingAndScared · 09/05/2011 20:32

I had a phased return after quite a long time off work with depression - it worked out really well for me - I also had a very structed project for the first month or so too -there were specfic issues at work that needed sorted so this was to help them - which it did -

TiraMissYou · 10/05/2011 19:37

The key is that as you design your phased hours plan with either your manager and/or Occ Health, that you are all clear of the goal which is to achieve your contracted hours by a set date. It can be tricky if you start to depend on the phased hours for childcare. You and your GP/Occ Health will need to distinguish when you are fit for your contracted hours as oppossed to when you have your childcare sorted.

Other tips would be : expect emotional good and bad weeks, and for even appreciated colleagues to irritate you! First week is exhausting (catching up with everyone), second week a bit more settled and enjoyable, third week less of a novelty and the tiredness kicks in so you can feel lower than usual. Try to keep that in mind and not feel disheartened if it happens, it is all part of rebuilding your emotional and physical work stamina.

Ask for a contingency plan i.e. if you have a real low day and just can't face going in, is it possible to have a prearranged system so that you can work that days hours back later in the week? If it isn't working and you aren't coping, talk to your manager/Occ Health/GP sooner rather than later, better to regroup and re try a bit later than sink low, and start using up holidays days to avoid work.

If at all possible, keep an hour or so in the week just for you - not work, or home, or parenting, and do something that relaxes you.

Hope it works out well for you, good luck.

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