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Original poster

Phased return to work

23 replies

nat24 · 30/01/2007 15:00

Ive been off work for 14 weeks due to a car accident and then ectopic pregnancy and im due to return to work on Monday. Im physically ready but not emotionally (suffereing from depression due to loss of baby). I have just got off the phone to HR and they have agreed to do a phased return to work. She asked me to go in for a informal meeting on Monday at 1pm. She said that i dont have to go straight back into the call centre. Just have the meeting and then go hame and have a think about what weve discussed. Im a little confussed now as my sick note runs out on Sunday and then on monday im not going to be actually doing any work. Do i need to get another sick note to cover me whilst im still going through the phased period? How long does the phased period usually last? Emotionally i dont feel ready to go back. I cant deal with people asking me about what happened or seeing the mass over pregnant women that work on my floor. Im only going back as i know that ive got to get some sort of normality back so that i can move on with my life. I also dont feel like i can do my usual job either (theres lots of pressure and stress involved). Im having a hard enough time dealing with whats happened without the added pressure of my job. Do you think that they will agree to let me do something else, at least on a temporary basis?

Thanks, Natalie

OP posts:
Original poster
nat24 · 30/01/2007 16:23

Anyone?

OP posts:
Longlegs1972 · 30/01/2007 16:30

Hi Nat, so sorry you are feeling so down and for the recent events you have had to go through.

I'm not too sure of any answers on this one. Do you feel that you are ready to be back in that environment. It may help if u have people/firnds to talk to there. Have you had any counselling at all or can you get some?

Big hug to you x

KezzaG · 30/01/2007 16:30

Hi, the phased return will be whatwever is agreed with you, HR and your company dr if appropriate.
You cannot work at all, even on a phased return while signed off sick, due to insurance purposes, so if your return starts on Monday I dont think you will need another sick note but double check what your HR department require.

I dont the exact details of the employment law surrounding absence, but it sounds like your company is being supportive. Ask for a copy of their absence policy so you are at least informed about what their formal process is.

I hooe you feel better soon, 14 weeks is a long time to be off, and it can be quite scary going back.

KezzaG · 30/01/2007 16:32

Also, do you have an Employee Assistance Programme? A lot of these will offer emotional support and at least 4-6 counselling sessions. It may be worth looking into if you are still finding it hard to deal with what has happened.

Apologies if you have already done this or I am overstepping the mark with unwanted advice, but it is worth seeing what your company has on offer and taking advantage of it.

ProfYaffle · 30/01/2007 16:38

Phased return periods vary considerably according to your personal circumstances, medical recommendations and company policy. In one company i worked in we would pay full pay for phased returns if the employee could return to full time hours within a given period of time (one month I think) if it was longer than that then the employee would be paid for part time hours. It does obviously vary from company to company though.

Asking for a less stressful alternative role is entirely reasonable, providing one exists.

Try not to worry too much, it sounds like your company are being supportive and doing all the right things.

Original poster
nat24 · 30/01/2007 16:42

Thanks for replying. I'll check with HR on Monday re the sick note. I dont think ill need one but just want to be 100% sure. 14 weeks has been a long time. Its gone so fast though. Didnt even realise how long it had been until i checked my diary.

In regards to counselling, i havnt had any. Wasnt offered any. Although ive tried counselling in the past for different reasons and it never seemed to work for me. For some reason I find it hard to open up do people that i dont know. I tend to let everything build up inside which isnt good i know.

Im absolutly terrified of going back. I dont know how the hell im gonna cope. I explained how i feel to my DP and the way i explained it is that i feel like a glass vase thats gots lots of cracks in it. If it/i get anymore cracks it/i will break for good. Sorry if that sounds crazy

OP posts:
Original poster
nat24 · 30/01/2007 16:49

Hi KezzaG, your definatly not over stepping the mark. I appreciate your advice. Im not too sure what the company offers in regards to the Employee Assistance Programme (even though i have worked there 15 months). Conselling has never worked for me in the past but maybe i should give it another go . Again ill mention it to them on Monday.

I just want my life to get back to normal.

OP posts:
KezzaG · 30/01/2007 16:52

Well good luck and I hope they continue to support you. I think the vase is quite a good analogy. My friend once descirbed her feelings to me like a pulled thread in a jumper, and each new thing pulled the hole bigger. It could never quite be fully repaired and she was worried that more pulls would make the hole worse.

You never know, maybe getting back to work, seeing colleagues and having some normailty and routine to your days will help, I hope so.

Original poster
nat24 · 30/01/2007 16:54

Thanks KazzaG. I hope so too. I'll let you know how it goes

OP posts:
helenhismadwife · 30/01/2007 20:23

Hi Natalie

I am so sorry to hear about the rotten time you have had.

I had a managed/phased return to work and didnt have a sick note for it.

The best people to speak to about employment related issues are ACAS 08457 47 47 47 they are really helpful.

Helen

Original poster
nat24 · 30/01/2007 20:43

Thanks Helen ill give them a ring tomorrow.

Natalie

OP posts:
Original poster
nat24 · 30/01/2007 20:44

Helen forgot to ask. Was you on full pay during the phased period?

Natalie

OP posts:
helenhismadwife · 30/01/2007 20:56

Hi Natalie

I work for the NHS 30 hours a week I work shifts so usually get unsociable allowance as well but when I was on managed return I got my basic 30 hours, so yes I did.

I hope they can help you

Helen

KezzaG · 05/02/2007 21:19

Hey Nat, hope it went ok today.

Original poster
nat24 · 06/02/2007 17:55

Hi Kezza,
Well yesterday was my 1st day back and it was so scary. Had to be there for 1pm for a meeting with HR and my TM. We decided that im going to start of doing 4 hrs a day, 12-4pm. I didnt actually do any work yesterday. Afeter the meeting they told me to go home as i was quite upset after discusing the pregnancy and for me to go back today. Today has been so draining both mentally and physically. So much has changed. I didnt go onto the phones, just listened in to my collegues. My TM has arranged for me to have some counselling and the 1st session is tomorrow before work. Overall its going well, but i need more time before going back full time. Everyone has been really nice too. Going back wasnt as hard as i thought it would be. I think making the 1st step through the gates is the hardest.

OP posts:
KezzaG · 06/02/2007 18:25

Well done, at least you have done the first bit, hopefully it will get easier now. It sounds like they are being really supportive at least.

Do you actually have to go back if you cant face it? Could you stay at home and be a kept woman? Or get a job that doesnt involve that level of interaction over the phone? I have worked in a call centre before and they be pretty intense.

So whats tonight then? Big glass of wine and slump in front of tv?

Original poster
nat24 · 06/02/2007 19:02

Id love to be a kept womam and stay at home all day but that will never happen unless we win the lotto.

Work are being fantastic, they really are. Working in a call centre isnt much fun at all and at the moment i cant face talking to all those people on the other end. Especially when ive got to try and sell them somthing. Im going to keep an eye on the board at work to see if anything else comes up that doesnt involve phones.

Tonight its me, myself and i oh and a malibu and coke and dairy milk .

OP posts:
KezzaG · 06/02/2007 19:33

LOL alcohol and chocolate, it doesnt get much better than that

missnatalie · 15/02/2007 17:06

Hi Kezza, i just wanted to tell you that last night my DP pressie from me was a VERY DARK BFP HPT .

Having this news has given me somrthing to focus on again and im actually starting to feel alot better again.

Ive been back at work for just under 2 weeks now and it is getting easier. Ive had a few days of getting stressed and ending up crying but it is geting easier. My boss has organised som counselling for me too.

Oh PS. ive changed my name back to missnatalie. was bord or nat24

stressed2007 · 15/02/2007 20:05

That is wonderful news for you - something good to be looking forward to. Congratulations.

KezzaG · 16/02/2007 09:11

Oh wow, that is such good news. I was gong to ask you before if you had thought about another baby, but didnt want to pry too much as you had enough on with your return to work.

When are you due? I am 8 weeks pg too so am on the due in Oct thread, will we see you over there too?

when you are pg work seems to be a bit more in perpective doesnt it, I am really pleased for you.

missnatalie · 17/02/2007 15:36

Thanks Kezza. Going of my LMP im due 26th Oct although i do know the exact date we conceived so its more likely to be Nov time. Congrats on your pregnancy too. I'll join you on the due in Oct thread in a couple of weeks once ive had my 6 week scan to make sure beanie has made it to the right place. So fingers crossed.

KezzaG · 17/02/2007 19:56

I understand, once something has gone wrong you dont want to jinx it again by being too presumptious do you.

Hope work is still going well. You will just get back in to it and then be off on mat leave! Cant be bad

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