Retuning after month of certified sick leave

[DeliaOwens]

Hello MN,
I had a very bad time with Covid and although triple vaccinated, I just barely avoided hospital admission.
I am due back tomorrow and feeling really mentally unprepared and not yet 100% physically. I fell really delicate and my mind in is foggy yet also worried about tomorrow. Please be gentle

I just asked my 'D'H for his advice, (as he has a senior managerial role (global) in the banking sector) and he was quite dismissive. Said something like, aren't you returning to your role, why all the build up/prep. I feel really unsupported

I work at a lead consultant level for a big company (think big 4).
My suggestion is to report in, say I'm back but still not quite 'better' and ask my manager if I can just work though emails and other things like new software releases, agile etc, tomorrow or would they prefer me to start with something else?

Does that sound ok?

Bump?

Perhaps you should consider more time off or a phased return? I'm sure they'll be glad to have you back so what you've suggested would be a good compromise.

I would ask for occ health involvement.

Hope you feel better soon.

Yeah i think you should ask for a phased return OP.
you can get your GP to write that youd benefit from light duties etc

Go for a fit note via your GP. Have a discussion with them about what you feel you are able to manage ATM. Then let your HR department know what has been decided.

Does your employer have an occupational health service? Suggest you ask to be referred to them for advice on your fitness to RTW and any temporary adjustments that could be made to support you such as a phased RTW.

I’m in a similar boat. I’ll be starting back in a week, not expecting to be 100%. HR and a couple of partners I spoke with a comfortable with me doing a couple of months on internal work (a big research piece) rather than jumping straight back into a client facing role.

I’m not sure I’d recommend asking to just catch up on emails though… that’s not really value-added work, usually, and I can’t imagine it will keep you busy or engaged for that long. I’d try to think of something that you’d have a product at the end of to show for your effort, but that isn’t too intense, if that exists in your line of work.

I'd see if you can get an immediate referral to OH (your manager might need to do it) and agree a phased return. I've had a couple of periods off sick and always come back on phased returns.

You're either fit to work or you're not. If you're not then stay off sick.

Presumably there is a sickness policy so that will indicate whether a phased return is appropriate.

Thanks everyone. Phased return never occurred to me (foggy brain) and OH is a good suggestion too.

I really appreciate the support.

Sounds like it's too early for you to go back if you still don't feel physically well, can you extend your sick leave by a another week?

As a manager I'd prefer staff to be fit when they return to work than have them back, not quite right, and then off again.

Your GP will give you a fit note for part days or alternate days until you feel better. I had COVID last year and was doing short days and wfh days for weeks afterwards until I could cope again.

If COVID has taught us anything, it's that convalescence is key to getting over it for those of us with a bad dose.

Thank you all.