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Return To Work: Before And After

Once You Return To Work

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Don't try to start your job full tilt. You will likely need time to build up your confidence again, and perhaps your energy as well.

Give yourself time to adjust to the renewed expenditure of energy and mental focus. Setbacks may happen, but you don't want to bring one on if you can avoid it.

Let your boss know you're purposely starting at less than full ability so he or she doesn't begin to think that your slower reentry speed is what is to be expected.

Don't be surprised if you feel a mixture of emotions.

Emotions when returning to work can range from excitement to anxiety and fear â€" as well as possibly other unexpected emotions. It's one of the reasons we suggested you keep your support team in place. Perhaps you can find a support group that includes other people also returning to work.

Understand that your return may be welcomed by your co-workers, but it will still be disruptive to some extent.

It couldn't hurt to:

  • Let co-workers know that you appreciate their patience while you are getting adjusted to being back to work and up-to-speed.
  • Thank them for whatever they may have done for you while you were not working.

If you start to become overwhelmed, it is okay to say "no" or to ask for an extension of a deadline.

People will understand if you let them know you are still not totally up to your old self yet. Let them know that you are getting there, and doing your best.

Your job may seem different to you.

The old familar world will seem different.  Things have not stood still since you stopped working. Likewise, you are probably different.

It could be that your thought processes have changed or there's been a change in what you do, or don't, want to do. If you would like a change in your job, ask for it.

If it means you would consider changing jobs, your health history is no reason to prevent a change.  Try the job for at least a month to see get past the initial transition and see how you really feel. Thanks to HIPAA and similar laws, you are no longer subjected to job lock due to your health history.  

Work to stop being "the person with ....."

Over time, people with either forget about your health condition or realize it doesn't prevent you from doing your job - if indeed you do your job. If you used to work an 80 hour week, it may take a while before you are able to be up to full speed again. The more progress you make toward your former work ability, and the longer it goes on, the more likely the pigeon hole of "a person with...." with fade away.

Think about what to say to well meaning people. For instance, what if someone comes over to you and says "My dad had XXXXXXXXXX too."  You cannot just ignore a statement such as that or get angry - even though you are trying to divorce yourself from that identity. Consider saying something that validates the person, and then changes the subject. For instance:  “Thank you for sharing that." (Validation). "Do you have have time this week to talk abk about XYZ project, or the e mail I sent you yesterday?" (Change of subject). 

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Changing Jobs HIPAA

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