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Return To Work: Before And After

Steps To Consider Before You Return To Work

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Give your employer notice of your intent to return to work.

  • As a general matter, give your employer as much notice as possible so preparations can be made.
  • If your leave has been under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or similar law, you are required to give notice to your employer of your intent to return at least two days before your return

Decide ahead of time what you want to tell your boss about your medical condition.

  • While your boss can't ask about the details of your health condition, you can be asked about your ability to do the work. Decide what you want to disclose.
  • If potential absenteeism is a concern, it may help to know that research indicates that cancer survivors who return to work have no greater absenteeism than employees without a cancer history.
  • Also be prepared in case your boss asks a question that isn't allowed to be asked. For help in thinking through a response, see Interview For A New Job. While the article is about a new job, the suggestions apply equally as well to your situation.

Decide ahead of time what you want to tell your co-workers about your absence and you/r current situation.

  • While you have no obligation to tell co-workers anything, they will of course be curious.
  • Even if you didn't disclose your health condition before you stopped working, the odds are your co-workers know about your condition by now.
  • What and how much you want to tell co-workers is up to you.
  • If you decide to tell about your condition, but want to set limits on what you're willing to discuss, let your co-workers know it.
  • Keep in mind that there is nothing that prevents any co-worker from telling other co-workers • or anyone else for that matter.

Keep your support systems in place.

Keep support systems in place at least through your initial return to work. Returning to the work place can be emotionally difficult.

Think about whether you will need an accommodation either temporarily or permanently to permit you to do the essential functions of your job.

If you will, get a letter from your doctor addressed to your employer.

  • The letter should state that you are ready to return to work. It should then describe your limitations and whether they are permanent or temporary. If temporary, it would be helpful if the doctor could state how long they would reasonably be predicted to continue. If there is no way of knowing, that should also be stated.
  • The letter does not have to describe your diagnosis or medical condition

Think about how you want to approach your employer about an accommodation.

  • When do you want to have the conversation?
  • What accommodations would work for you? Which one is your preferred suggestion?
  • How do you want to ask?

To help think through the answers to these questions, see Accommodations.

Even if you don't need an accommodation, if you have any limitations, whether they are temporary or permanent, don't try to hide them from your employer.

  • At the least, your energy level may not be back to normal yet.
  • Limitations will become evident in any event so bring them up yourself. At the same time, let your employer know you can do the essential functions of your job.
  • To learn more about the essential functions of your job, see Accommodations.

Consider visiting your work site a few days before you return to work.

  • It will give you a chance in an informal setting to catch up with your co-workers.
  • It will also give you a few days to adjust to the changes with out the pressure of working at the same time.
  • Perhaps there's some homework you can do that will help bring you to speed so your first days back at work will be less stressful.
  • If you need an accommodation, this is a good to discuss with your employer what you need to permit you to do the essential functions of your job.
  • A visit will also give your co-workers a chance to start to adjust to your return without you being present.

Think about the stress in your workplace.

Are there steps you can take to reduce the stress or to deal with it better than you did before you stopped working? For information about dealing with stress, click here.


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