Returning to work after over 3mths Anxiety Sick Leave - what happens ?

[Mojomummy]

I wrote here in July about wanting to take a years leave of absence after maternity. It was refused, parental leave postponed & so I went back to work.

After only a few days at work, I was advised to go home because I was very very upset.

I've had a few years of stress at work & I assume the additional stress of returning just completely knocked me over.

I am now signed off until Mid November & have mailed my manager twice. The last time was a week ago where I also asked to be referred to occupational health - something which should have happened after a month after sick leave. I've not had any response from either mail ( I think I sent the 1st mail in September).

Is this strange ? Do they expect me to go straight back to work as normal ? My new manager knows what has set me off, so does someone from HR.

I'm on anti depressants, although they don't seem to be working (dr keeps upping the dose)
& just can't imagine how I'm going to get back to work.

email again and copy to HR. Include two previous emails in latest so HR can see the conversation trail. Ask for a meeting with OH as soon as possible as it will probably take a few meetings to sort everything out ie referrals to healthcare expert to easing you into work again.

Good Luck

Hi mojo hope you're doing ok. You will definitely need to see Occ Health, sounds like your manager is being rubbish - that's very poor not responding to your emails.

Do what Hubblebuubble says, email again and copy to HR including your previous correspondence so that HR can see the trail. Follow up with a phone call to HR as well to check they got it. And address it to an individual person in HR if you can as well.

I would expect OccHealth to look after you and possibly liaise with your GP about when you might be able to return to work and on what basis (temporarily less hours for example, to ease you in rather than straight back to your normal working pattern).

Hope you get it sorted

thanks for the advice.

For some reason I can't put my finger on, the thought of doing this (& potentially causing trouble) completely freaks me out.

I just can't seem to stand up for myself at work & yet I'm normally quite a strong person. I've been reduced to a pile of rubble.

Am I being a wimp or just not ready to face the prospect at being at work ?

I also think I need to do a grievance, or officially document what happened to cause this to happen to me - should this happen before I return to work ?

just wanted to chime in - I hope to return to work after 2 months anxiety leave. Work want me to see company Doc before I return and I'm nervous as hell about it!
I'd rather just go back to work quietly without having to rehash the probs with a new Doctor but then that's me. Please let us know how you get on, I guess I may have to see Occ H as well... best of luck!

still no response from my work - I haven't made anymore contact, because I can't cope with it at the moment.

Hi Mamasin, when are your 2 months up ? are your work problems resolved ? Are you ready to return to work ?

I just don't know what is going to happen to me. I returned to work from maternity to a job I didn't (& still don't) want to do. Had passive/agressive & useless management before & during maternity leave & until this is resolved, who knows what is going to happen..

No offense but are you sure that you are ready to go back? You still sound really knocked for six, just because the dr originally gave you a note for 2 months doesnt mean you have to be better exactly then.
You say that you cant cope with contacting work at the moment, so it sounds like you would find doing work difficult. Speak to your dr about it anyway, he/she may not be happy with you going back til your medication has settled down and is working properly.
And dont feel guilty about prolonging this, I know I do in this sort of situation.
Best of luck

email HR and occupational health and your line manger. ideally a joint meeting, take your union rep with you. negotiate a graded return to duties, and explicit written expectations from employer as to your duties. set a review date 3months
good luck

Hi Mojo,
my two months are up on Monday, am seeing my Doc and company Doc on Friday. Problems
haven't been resolved but I hope that me returning will make them deal with stuff instead of sending ridiculous letters to me. Please don't feel you have to go back just cos of cert, let you and your Doc decide. I found mine lovely really understood how low i felt etc.
tbh, i just want to return to normality, 9-5 etc fed up of feeling unemployed! Chin up don't let them browbeat you, best best of luck

how are you mojo?

bumping for mojo