Preparing to return to work after a period of mental
ill health
Think about talking to
your employer and doctors to make a ‘return to work’ plan
Returning to work after being on sick leave
can be daunting. A Wellness and Recovery Plan (WRAP)
should make it easier. Even if you haven’t got a WRAP, then
some of the practical arrangements and tools in the WRAP approach
can be helpful. Organisations, such as the Health and Safety
Executive, have checklists to work through with your employer and
healthcare professionals to make it easier to get back to
work.
Your employer can help you back to
work by bringing you up to speed on what has been happening while
you have been away. You will need to think about what you tell
your colleagues and clients about your absence and any changes
to your work.
The first stage in developing a return to work plan is to
maintain contact while on sick leave
Returning to work can help you to recover from
a period of mental ill-health. You may need to work
part-time at first, before re-starting full-time work. It
might also mean making changes or adjustments to your work, working
conditions and work pattern.
It is helpful to keep in touch
with your employer while you are away. Some managers, as well
as employees, worry that such contact during a period of sick
leave will be seen as harassment, but lack of contact can make
returning to work even more difficult. It is best if you take
the lead in contacting your manager. You need
to agree what form this contact should take, and how often it
will take place.
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Planning and
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Please note that we are unable to offer advice on individual cases. Please see our
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advice on getting help.
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