Occupational Health appointment

[nevernotstruggling]

I'm signed off with stress just now. If I go back at the end of the current note i will have been off 6 weeks.
I have an OH on Friday. I've had one before but it was for a now resolved physical issue.

This time it's anxiety and it's not improved whilst I've been off. I want to return to work but I'm scared they will drown me again.

I went sick because I spent weeks working until 1am and I was a shaking mess.

That sounds really stressful. Don't wii u dry about icc health they are there to help managers put appropriate plans in place so just be honest.

What do you feel would help on your return? Is there a reason the work load was massive ie. vacancies etc?

The work load was massively affected by covid really and already a stressful job. People leaving and they can't convince anyone to work there.

I've had one of these before when off work with depression and anxiety.
Intially they may just arrange an phone appointment with a OH nurse or if that's what is this appointment is, they'll talk to you about how you're feeling, if you feel ready to go back to work and what adjustments you need to go back to work.

When I had mine they recommended a phased returned of a few hours a day, building it up over a four week period and a reduction in duties. Then they sent the report back to my line manager who put this in place for me. I'm not sure if your workplace would be similar, I guess it depends on the place you work, but it's there to help get you back to work and for work to make changes so you're not off again soon in my experience.

Hope that helps you have an idea of what to expect. I felt awful before mine as I had no idea what it would be like.

If you feel you need more time off, then tell them this and see your Dr again. Sometimes we just need a break to recharge.

I guess what I'm concerned about is capability issues?

I've worked in places like this before and tbh I found the only way to deal with it is to leave so I would work towards that as a goal.

Is it nhs?

@poplin not nhs but v similar. I do have an exit plan and I'm applying for an internal move while I'm off. I'm hoping oh might support that move and help me a bit. After that I need to get out in a planned way!